This document discusses different die and die systems used in fabricating fixed partial dentures. It describes the ideal properties and requirements of die materials, as well as the main types of die systems including separate die systems, removable die systems using dowel pins, di-lok trays, or pindex drilling. The advantages and disadvantages of each system are provided. Removable die systems allow dies to be easily removed and replaced in the working cast for wax pattern fabrication.

1. Die and Die Systems in FPD
Dr Prince Kumar
DEPARTMENT OF PROSTHODONTICS

2. INTRODUCTION
Fabrication of a fixed partial denture involves
the fabrication of the wax pattern, casting,
soldering and finishing. Here we shall study in
detail about these procedures.

3. MODELS,CAST,& DIES
MODEL: It a positive replica of the teeth and adjacent
structures used primarily for observation and diagnosis.
CAST: A working model, master cast.
DIE: Die is a positive replica of the individual pre-pared tooth
on which the inlays,crowns,bridges are made. These are individual
tooth replicas prepared for easier handling during wax pattern
fabrication and finishing of inaccessible areas of the cast

4. TYPES OF CAST AND DIE
MATERIALS
 GYPSUM:
a) Type IV-Dental stone, Highstrength
b) Type V-dental stone ,High Strength, high Expansion
c) Dental stone+lignosulphonates
 METALS:
a) Electroformed/Eletroplated.
b) Sprayed metals.
c) Amalgam.

5.  POLYMERS;
a) Metal-filled resins or inorganic filled resins.
b) Epoxy.
 CEMENTS:
a) silicophosphate or polyacrylic acid bonded cements.
 CERAMIC OR REFRACTORY DIE MATERIALS:
a) For direct baking of porcelain crown or preparation of wax
pattern for casting.
 Type IV& Type V Stone dies, Electroformed dies, Epoxy
resins , Refractory or materials are recommended die
materials.

6. IDEAL PROPERTIES OF DIE
MATERIALS
1. It should be dimensionally accurate.
2. It should have high abrasion resistance, should possess
good strength,& have smooth surface .
3. Toughness – to allow burnishing of foil & resist breakage.
4. Ability to reproduce all fine details in the impression.
5. Compatibility with all impression materials.
6. Colour contrast with wax, porcelain & alloys.
7. Easy & quick manipulation & rapid fabrication.
8. Non-injurious to health by touch or inhalation.
9. Economic.

7. IDEAL REQUIREMENTS OF A DIE
SYSTEM
The die should be easy to remove and replace
in its original position.
The die must be stable when placed in the
cast.
It should be easy to mount in the articulator

8. TYPES OF DIES
Based on the design, die systems can be classified into:
1 WORKING CAST WITH SEPARATE DIE SYSTEM
2 WORKING CAST WITH REMOVABLE DIE SYSTEM.
There are three commonly used removable die systems,
they are:
a)Dowel pin system
-Straight
-Curved
b)Di-lok tray system
c)Pindex system
3 ACCUTRAC SYSTEM

9. WORKING CAST & SEPARATE DIE
SYSTEM
Here, two casts are poured from a single impression and one cast is
sectioned and used as a die and the other is not sectioned and is used
as the working cast. The wax pattern is prepared on the die and later
transferred to the working cast.
ADVANTAGE
• Simplest and easiest method
DISADVANTAGE
• The wax pattern may get distorted while transferring it from the die to
the cast.
• Proximal margins tend to get overcontoured.

10. WORKING CAST WITH A
REMOVABLE DIE SYSTEM
In this system a special type of working cast is prepared and the dies
are carefully sectioned so that the individual dies can be removed
and replaced in their original position in the cast. Dowel pin
systems, di-lok tray systems and the pindex systems come under
this category.

11. DOWELPINSYSTEMS
• Dowel pins may be straight or curved:
1. STRAIGHT DOWEL PIN SYSTEMS
• They are prepared using two techniques,
namely
• the pre-pour and post-pour techniques.

12. PRE-POUR TECHNIQUE
 Here the die pins are positioned in their
appropriate places within the impression using
bobby pins and sticky wax.
The dowel pin is positioned within the
impression using sticky wax
 After positioning the pins, the impression is
poured up to the level of the alveolar process
of the remaining teeth. First pour is poured upto the level of the
alveolar process
Separating medium is applied over the first
pour and die pin and the remaining portion of
the cast is poured. Separating medium is applied and the
base is poured

13. POST-POUR TECHNIQUE
Here, the cast is poured upto the level of the
crowns of the teeth in the impression.
Subsequently, small holes are drilled within
the first pour in the required places and the
dowel pins are cemented into the holes The
remaining part of the cast is poured and the
dies are sectioned as described in the pre-
pour technique.
ADVANTAGES
• Easy to prepare
• No special equipment is necessary
DISADVANTAGES
• The pins may get displaced while pouring the cast.

14. 2. CURVEDDOWELPINSYSTEM
This is similar to straight dowel pin technique except that curved pins
are used. The curved pins will project from the sides of the base of the
cast. When the projecting pins are pressed, the die unit attached to
the respective pin will pop out from its place.
Curved dowel pin system (pushing the pin from the side pops the die out).

15. B) DI-LOK TRAY SYSTEM
This technique uses a special tray to pour the cast. This special tray has
orientation grooves on the inner aspect. Actually the tray is made of multiple
components, which can be assembled or dismantled as required .
Advantages
• Simple and easy to prepare
• The cast can be mounted in an articulator
Disadvantages
• Requires special equipments.

16. C) PINDEX SYSTEM
This system is similar to the post-pour dowel pin technique. Here a special drill
press equipment is used to do die sectioning. The drill press has a platform with a
slot like opening through which the drill pin will project during the procedure. The
entire platform is spring mounted and when pressed down automatically starts
the drill, which will project through the slot. The unit has a red pilot light lamp on
top, which will shoot a point exactly on the drill. This red pilot pointer will act as a
guide while drilling (Fig. a).
Fig - guide to drill holes in the base of the cast. The
platform of the pindex machine is spring loaded. When
the cast is passed against the platform, the motor will
get activated and drill a hole in the casta. The cast is
placed on the pindex machine and the pilot light is used
as a

17. After cementing the pins, a base is poured over the base of drilled
cast. Consecutively the dies are sectioned but not upto the base as
described in the dowel pin system.
ADVANTAGES .
 Allows accurate placement of the die pins.
DISADVANTAGES .
Special equipment is required.

18. THE ACCUTRAC SYSTEM
These dies are exclusively used in the fabrication of
laminate veneers. Basically this system involves the fabrication of
two casts as described in the working castwith separate die system.
One cast (master cast) is sectioned into dies and used to prepare
the coping. After preparing the wax pattern, the sectioned dies are
reassembled in the master cast.