Trends in indirect dentistry: 7. Communicating design features for fixed and removable prostheses.

UNLABELLED: Clear and effective communication of design features between dental practitioners and dental technicians has long been recognized as central to the production of high quality fixed and removable prostheses. In this respect, there is extensive evidence to demonstrate that the quality of communication achieved from general dental practice is not always adequate. Failure to communicate design features effectively can lead to errors in the fabrication of prostheses, or in the production of prostheses with a potential to cause damage to oral structures. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The aim of this paper is to describe why it is important to communicate adequate design features clearly to dental laboratories.The paper also describes how this may be achieved for a variety of fixed and removable prostheses.