A magnetic device for recording and

reproducing the path of placement for

partial removable dental prostheses
Vaibhav D. Kamble, MDS,a Rambhau D. Parkhedkar, MDS,b and
Hirasankar Bhowmik, MDSc
VSPM’s Dental College & Research Centre, Nagpur, Maharashtra,
India; Saraswati Dhanwantari Dental College and Hospital,
Parbhani, Maharashtra, India; Singhgad Dental College and
Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India

Accurate planning for the frame-
work design of a partial removable
dental prosthesis (PRDP) requires
careful analysis of the diagnostic cast
with a dental surveyor to determine
the optimal path of placement.1 The
selected path of placement should
be recorded as a reference for sub-
sequent steps to reposition the cast
with the same recorded tilt.1-3 The fol-
lowing procedure uses a magnetic de-
vice to record and reproduce the path
of placement of an PRDP.
Fabrication of device
1. Obtain a pair of cobalt-samar-
ium magnets of 30 mm in diameter
and 2.5 mm in thickness (Cobalt-
samarium; Ambica Corp, New Delhi,
India) (Fig. 1A).
2. Secure 2 brass metal keepers of
the same diameter at each end of the
magnet with a nut and bolt.
3. Grind the threaded end of 1
bolt to form a point.
4. Drill a hole in the end of the sec-
ond bolt to receive the straight hand-
piece mandrel (50 mm in length and
2.5 mm in diameter) with correspond-
ing diameter for frictional retention.
PROCEDURE
1. Lock the cast on the surveyor table
(Dental Surveyor; JF Jelenko, Armonk,
NY) in the selected path of placement.
2. Make an 8 × 8 × 4 mm-deep
hole centered in the base of the cast
where it will not interfere with the
framework design and embed the nut
in the perforation.
3. Lock the shank of the assem-
bled magnetic device in the surveying
spindle of the surveyor.
4. Center the surveying table with
locked cast under the surveying spin-
dle and lower the device into the hole
until the assembly touches the cast at
the bottom of the hole (Fig. 1B).
5. Fill the hole in the cast with a
mix of dental plaster (Vinayak Gypsum
and Interiors Pvt Ltd, Mumbai, India)
around the assembly and allow it to set.

A B
1 A, Magnetic path of placement device. B, Lowering assembled recording magnetic device into perforation.

a
Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, VSPM’s Dental College & Research Centre.
b
Professor and Head, Department of Prosthodontics, Saraswati Dhanwantari Dental College and Hospital.
c
Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Singhgad Dental College and Hospital.
(J Prosthet Dent 2013;110:333-334)
Kamble et al
334
2 A, Magnetic device secured with nut and bolt and assembly is separated. B, Reorientation of cast with magnetic
device on recorded tilt.
6. Separate the assembly and se-
cure the device with a nut and bolt
(Fig. 2A). With a straight pull, the
mandrel can be easily removed from
the surveying arm and replaced for
reorientation of the cast with the re-
corded tilt (Fig. 2B).
SUMMARY
This magnetic device takes advan-
tage of the precision of the fixed pin
and sheath device. It also allows the
casts to be mounted in the articula-
tor so that they can be studied with-
out any interference, especially when
maxillary and mandibular PRDPs
are fabricated at the same time. Co-
balt samarium magnets are used in
this device to provide high magnetic
force and intrinsic coercivity. The ad-
The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
A B
vantages of this method are ease of
placement, automatic reseating, and
easy repositioning when needed. It
also provides an economical perma-
nent recording of the selected path of
placement, which may be preserved
for future use. The disadvantage of
this method is the commercial un-
availability of the device.
REFERENCES
1. Bezzon OL, Mattos MG, Ribero RF. Sur-
veying removable partial dentures: the
importance of guiding planes and path
of insertion for stability. J Prosthet Dent
1997;78:412-8.
2. Carr AB, McGivney GP, Brown DT. McCrack-
en’s removable partial prosthodontics. 11th
ed. St. Louis; Elsevier; 2005. p. 165-86.
3. Lavere AM, Freda AL. A simplified proce-
dure for survey and design of diagnostic
casts. J Prosthet Dent 1977;37:680-3.
Volume 110 Issue 4
4. Bezzon OL, Riberio RF, Pagnano VO. Device
for recording the path of insertion for
removable partial dentures. J Prosthet Dent
2000;84:36-8.
5. Highton R, Caputo AA, Pezzoli M, Matyas
J. Retentive characteristics of different
magnetic systems for dental applications. J
Prosthet Dent 1986;56:104-6.
Corresponding author:
Dr Vaibhav D. Kamble
Department of Prosthodontics
VSPM’s Dental College & Research Centre
Digdoh Hills, Hingna Rd
Nagpur (Maharashtra), 440019
INDIA
E-mail:vaibhavk056@gmail.com
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Dr Saee Deshpande for her
help in the application of the device and Drs
Umal Doshi and Sana Naqvi for their valuable
help in manuscript preparation.
Copyright © 2013 by the Editorial Council for
The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.
Kamble et al