Removable partial denture (RPD) frames replace missing teeth and are typically made of metal. Under Solvay Dental 360, the company’s new high-performance material allows for metal-free, biocompatible, more comfortable, natural-looking RPD frames which are over 60-percent lighter than a metal frame.
Solvay uses its new Ultaire AKP (aryl ketone polymer) material to make its Dentivera milling disc. From this device, trained and qualified dental lab technicians use software tailored to this material to design and mill the RPD frame. This enhances speed and efficiency as fewer manufacturing steps are needed compared to the metal frame.
"Solvay's entrepreneurial initiative to launch into medical devices is driven by our innovation power as a world leader in metal-replacing materials and their proven track record in healthcare," said Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, CEO of Solvay.
"Solvay proudly starts off in dental care devices with a unique full-circle offering that increases the comfort of patients and efficiency for dentists and lab technicians," said Shawn Shorrock, global director, Solvay Dental 360.
In healthcare, Solvay's high-performance polymers are used in orthopaedic, cardiovascular, renal and other markets. The Dentivera milling disc is approved by the EU and US health regulators.
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