Immediate replacement removable partial dentures with cobalt-chromium frameworks: rationale, technology and a case report.

The advantages of removable partial dentures with cobalt-chromium frameworks over those made entirely of acrylic resin, in oral health and hygiene, are well documented. However, in cases where teeth are to be extracted for fitting the removable partial denture, a difficulty arises because of the need to test the fit of the removable partial denture framework. The advent of two modern technologies-- laser welding and metal bonding agents -- make it possible to test the fit of the major part of the framework prior to adding additional metal components to support artificial teeth. A case is described in which the four lower incisors were extracted. The main part of the framework was constructed and its fit tested. A second casting was laser-welded to the lingual plate of the first casting to support the artificial incisor teeth. This technique avoids the need to make an acrylic resin temporary denture but incurs the cost of the additional technical work and so the advantages may be considered to be economically neutral.