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Predoctoral Course Catalog

DENTPC 588

Removable Partial Dentures

Dental Curriculum Threads

Course Director: Andy Marashi
Credits: 5
Quarters/Yr of Program: Spring/ 2

Course Overview

This course presents the principles of removable partial denture design (RPD) for partially edentulous patients. Students are prepared for the procedures necessary for the provision of removable partial dentures (RPDs) in the clinical setting. Through lectures and lab sessions, they will learn to fabricate RPDs from the evaluation of partially edentulous patients to the completion and maintenance of the prostheses.

Learning Objectives

The student who successfully completes this course will be able to:

  1. Relate the Kennedy classification of partially edentulous arches to partial denture design.
  2. Compare the indications and contraindications for removable partial dentures with those of other types of prostheses.
  3. Describe the major components of removable partial dentures.
  4. Describe the clinical workflow of removable partial dentures.
  5. Examine the impact of the major components of an RPD on design and function.
  6. Apply the basic principles of removable partial denture designs to different patient scenarios.
  7. Design the basic types of removable partial dentures.
  8. Given a partially dentate arch simulating natural teeth, prepare guiding planes and rest seats.
  9. Given a cast with teeth that have been re-contoured, design an example cast to guide a dental technician.
  10. Given casts representing a CD/RPD patient with multiple crown preparations, establish an acceptable plane of occlusion for the crowns.
  11. Given wax patterns of crowns, modify the waxed crowns to receive a removable partial denture.
  12. Given a model of a mouth requiring a distal extension partial denture, make a secondary impression to alter the original master cast.
  13. Given a partial denture framework and master cast, fabricate an occlusion rim.
  14. Given occlusion rims, mounted models, and specific dimensions representing a CD/RPD patient, trim the rims to represent the vertical dimension of occlusion and to record centric relation.
  15. Select the appropriate tooth form and material to create the desired occlusal scheme for patients with partially and completely edentulous jaws.
  16. Given mounted casts of a CD/RPD on a semi-adjustable articulator, set artificial cusped teeth in balanced occlusion.
  17. Given a waxed-up partial denture, make a remount cast.
  18. Given a model with some teeth to be extracted, create a temporary removable partial denture–ready for processing–by following the steps of trimming the cast, setting the teeth, and waxing the denture.
  19. Given a partial denture or complete acrylic resin dentures with broken parts, use an autopolymerizing acrylic resin to repair the appliance.
  20. Describe the procedures, sequence, and necessary materials for the delivery and maintenance of an RPD in a clinical setting.
  21. Demonstrate the procedures, sequence, and necessary materials for the design, delivery, and maintenance of an RPD in a laboratory setting.

UWSOD Competencies: C-01, C-10, C-09, CE-07, C-06, CE-02, CE-03, C-03, CE-06, C-04, C-08, C-15, C-07, CE-04, C-14, C-28, C-12, C-13, C-31, C-16, C-29, C-05, C-11, C-30, C-24, C-25, C-19, C-20, C-21, CE-05

Date last updated: 2026-03-20