A ComprehensiveApproach to Die

Trimming
Michael A. Mansueto, DDS, MS, * and Rodney D. Phoenix, DDS, M S f

Proper trimming of stone dies is an essential step in fixed prosthodontics. Die trimming requires
meticulous technique and a thorough understandingof required elements in die design. By dividing
the die into three zones, die contour requirements can be better understood, discussed, and
demonstrated.A two-step technique provides optimal results, incorporatinga logical plan with the
use of proper magnificationand illumination.
J Prosthod 1994;3:251-255. This is a US government work. There are no restrictions on its use.

INDEX WORDS: die chipping, die contour, die stability, emergence profile, finish line, magnifica-
tion

CCURATE STONE DIES and casts are essen- Terminology

A t i d to the fabrication of accurate fixed prosthe-
ses. Therefore, extreme care must be exercised in
For descriptive purposes, a die may be divided into
three Lones: the marginal zone, the die body, and the
the preparation of dies and casts. In the most popular
die base (Fig 1).
technique, a pinned or indexed die is separated from
The marginal zone is the portion of the die that
its master cast and trimmed to facilitate fabrication
originates at the finish line and extends approxi-
of a definitive restoration. The die-trimming proce-
mately 3 mm apically. This zone is intended to
dure, though frequently delegated to a technician, is represent tooth contours apical to the finish line, and
the most important step in accurate cast prepara- it is critical to proper development of' the restora-
tion. tion's emergence profile.
Several die-trimming techniques have been de- The die base is the most apical extent of the stone
scribed in the literature.'" Although each of these die. This portion relates the die to its supportingcast.
techniques provides some constructive components, The die base provides a vertical stop for the indi-
none provides a comprehensive plan for die trim- vidual die and commonly contains elements that
ming. permit the removal and accurate replacement of the
The purpose of this article is to describe a die- individual die or segment.
trimming technique that: (1) yields strong dies that The die body comprises the remainder of the die.
are not prone to marginal flaking or chipping, (2) It is a region of transition between the marginal zone
provides a die shape that is comfortably handled by arid the die base. Because of its position, the die body
dentists and techniciaris, (3) ensures maximum sta- is a critical factor in the transverse strength of the
bility between a die and cast base, and (1)provides indkidual die.
the best substructure for fabrication of' properly
contoured restorations. Procedure
Inaccurate dies yield compromised restorations. The
efforts of practitioners and dental laboratory techni-
cians are directly dependent on the quality of indi-
vidual dies and the maintenance of their precise
*Coltinel. US Air Force; &rector. Area Dental Laboratoy, Barkidole spatial rclationships. Hence, all aspects of the die-
Air Force Rase, LA
trimming procedure require exacting technique and
?Major, US Air Furze; Chiel; Remonable Prosthodontin>Wcford Hall
Medical Cmtw, Lackland Air Forcp BaJc TX.
attention to detail.
Corre.$wn&nce to: hlichichaal A. Mnmzudo, DDS, MS, Area Dental
L u b o r a t q 2nd Medical Gi~oupiSGDL,3 3 Duals ilve W, Suite 100, Mapifiation and Proper Illumination
Barksdale AFB, L4 71110-2077.
r l
1 his is n LiSgouemment work. There are no veitrirtions tin ifs use. To ensure accuracy, die trimming should be per-
I0~Y-Y4IXl94/030~-0012~0.00/ 0 formed with the aid of magnification and adequate

Journal oft'rmthodontics. I'ol3, N o 4 (Decemhw), 1994:pp 251-255 25 1

25 2 Die Tm'mminf Mansueto and Phoenix

Figure 2. Cross reduction is the first step in die trim-

ming. This procedure may be accomplished using a large,
multifluted laboratory bur or lathe-mounted cutting band.

The second stage of the proccdurc involves fine

Figure 1. Three areas of concern during die trimming trimming of those areas that approximate the finish
are: 1, the marginal zone; 2, the die body; and 3, the die line. To facilitate this process and enhance visualiza-
base. tion of the die's finish line, TanquistGrecommends
that the die be soaked in supernatant dental slurry
for approximately 5 minutes. A wet die carves more
lighting.h Though numerous low-power loops and
easily and is less likely to After the wetting
magnifiers are availablc, three-power ma<pification
process, the die can be shaped using a sharp instru-
is a recommended minimum for trimming those
ment or blade.i A preferred trimming tool is the
areas that approximate the finish line. Ten-power
Beaver Surgical Handle fitted with a no. 6700 Beaver
magnificationvia binocular stereo or dissecting micro-
Mini-Blade (R. Beavcr Inc, Waltham, MA). To re-
scope also has been recommended for die trim-
min? ? and provides an excellent environment for
accurate contouring of marginal areas.
Proper illumination also plays an important role
in die trimming. Lighting extremes may yield poor
visibility or lead to visual fatigue. Such conditions
often contribute to errors during fine-trimming pro-
cedures.

Two-Stage Technique
Die trimming should be accomplished in two stages?.'
The first stage involves gross reduction and may be
accomplished using a large, multifluted laboratory
bur or lathe-mounted cutting band (Fig 2). The die
should be dry during the initial shaping procedure to
prevent clogging of the cutting tool and to speed the
shaping process. During this phase of the procedure,
the operator should be certain not to reduce the die
base or approach within 2 mm of the finish line. The
basic shape of the die after initial reduction is Figure 3. Die shape after initial reduction with rotary
illustrated in Figure 3. instruments.
 December 1994. Volume 3, Number 4 253

margin, the practitioner must carefully trim the

resulting die to approximate perceived root con-
tours. Die material apical to the finish line should be
carefully trimmed away until the finish line becomes
the height ofcontour in the marginal zone. Minimal
die material should be removed to maintain the die
strength. Die margins formed in this manner are not
unduly undermined and, therefore, are less suscep-
tible to chipping and abrasion.2,G,8
A properly prepared die permits easy identifica-
tion and highlighting of the finish line. If die trim-
ming establishes the finish line as the height of
contour in the marginal zone, the finish line can be
discretely marked using a wax penciL6Marking must
create a distinct, fine line, not a “band” that offers an
ambiguously thick zonc for the restoration’s margin
Figure 4. The die-trimming blade should be customized
via rotary instrumrntation. Thr resultant cuned and (Fig 5).
narrowed working point is less likely to damage dies.
Die Body Contour
duce the risk of die damage, the blade should be The die body should be shaped to permit access for
narrowed and curved as shown in Figure 4.9 the technician’s fingers (Fig 6). Proper contouring of
this xonc facilitates digital-finishing techniques used
by many dentists and technicians and aids in die
The Trimmed &--Three Distinct Areas manipulation.
of Concern
The majority of die-body contouring is performed
Marginal Contour
The most critical element of die trimming is proper
preparation of the marginal zone. ’This area of the
die should be contoured to simulate physiological
root form and thereby aid the technician in the
development of proper emergence profile^?,^,^,^ If the
marginal zone is underprepared, the technician will
have difficulty identifying and accessing the margin.
Conversely, overpreparation will produce a thin
neck of stone and predispose the die to fracture.
Because the instruments used for finishing wax
margins are commonly placed against this portion of
the die, excessively undercut or “ditched” zones
directly below the finish line often yield overcon-
toured restorations having “fat” emergence
The ideal method for creating the correct mar-
ginal contours begins with the impression procedure.
Careful tooth preparation and soft tissue manipula-
tion during the making of the impression increase
the practitioner’s probability for success. When 1
mm of unprepared tooth structure apical to the
preparation margin is accurately recorded in the
final impression, the anatomic root form may be
duplicated during die trimming.8
If the clinical situation does not permit extension Figure 5. A sharp wax pencil creates a fine line when
of the impression material at least 1 mm apical to the highlighting the margin of a properly trimmed die.
254 Dk Trimming Mansueto and Phoenix

Review
1. Carefully saw dies from the cast base, preserving
maximum die-to-cast interface.
2. Use proper illumination and magnification.
3. Perform gross reduction of the dry die bod! using
large, multifluted laboratory burs or abrasive
wheels.
4. Soak the die in supernatant slurry water for 5
minutes.
5. Trim the marginal zone and adjacent areas using
an appropriate hand instrument.
6.Blend the marginal zone, body, and die base to
provide anatomical accuracy and laboratory ac-
cess.
7. Verify dir stability and completeness of die seat-
ing.

Summary
The rationale for a two-stage die-trimming tech-
nique is described. This technique focuses on ad-
Figure 6. Digital access to marginal areas is important
and should be guaranteed by the die-trimming technique. equate preparation in three distinct die zones. P r o p

during the initial phase of the trimming process.

Large carbide burs or abrasive bands are used to
shape this region while the die is dry. Overtrimming
must he avoided because it will lead to thin, weak dies
that are prone to fracture. In addition, care must he
taken to maintain the size and integrity of the die
base.

Die Base Contour

The die base relates the die to the remainder of the
cast. Too often, poorly planned segmentation (saw-
ing) and die-trimming procedures reduce the size of
the die base. Because this portion of the die is
reduced, the positive seat between the cast and the
die is jeopardized. If this occurs, dies may he more
easily displaced, thereby compromising essential spa-
t ial relationships.
To ensure the maximum interface between the
dic base and the cast, die segmentation must he
properly planned and performed. Once the die has
been separated from the cast, die trimming should
not significantly reduce the size of the die base. In
many instances, a round or elliptical finish line must
blend into a rectangular die basr (Fig 7). A properly Figure 7. The rectangular die base has been preserved
trimmed die base and master-cast land area also during die trimming. The elliptical finish line smoothly
should facilitate visual inspection of die seating. blends into the angular die base.
 De6ernbL.r 1994, Kilurne 3, Number 4 255

erly trimmed dies should be strong and chip resistant, Fixed Partial Dentures,vol2 (ed 2). St Louis, 110,Mosby, 1986,
pp 19I-lYL
index well with the cast, provide for ideal emergence
4. Shillingburg H, IIobo S, Whitsett L Fundamentals of Fixed
angles in restorations, and be handled comfortably Prosthodontics (ed 2). Chicago, IL, Quintessence, 1981, pp
by dentists and technicians. 241-236
5. Rosrnstiel S, Land M,FukimotoJ: Contemporary Fixed Prosth-
odontics (ed 1). St Louis,MO, Mosby, 1988>p 275
6. Tanquist R Die trimming: A guide to physiologic contour. J
References 7.
Prosthet Dent 3982;48:485-489
Beck D: Precision technique for trimming dies using a magnifi-
1. Malone W, Koth D: Tylman’s Theory and Practice of Fixed cation c1rvice.J Proslhet Dent 1980;43:590-591
Prosthodoritics (ed 8). St Louis, hI0, Ishiyaku EuroAmerica, 8. Carkash H, Zalmon L, Whiteman A, et al: The effect ofvarious
1989, pp 285-287 methods of trimming a stone dir on the margins of a cast gold
2. Pamcijer J: Periodontal and Occlusal Factors in Crown and crown. Israel J Dent hlcd 1983;29:27-32,40
Bridge Procedures. Amsterdam, Holland, Dental Center for 9. Shaw F: Accurate casts and dies in fixed prosthodontics (ler-
Postgraduate Studies, 1985, p 353 ture). Wilford Hall US Air Force Medical Center, Lackland Air
3. Rhoads J, Rudd K, Morrow R Dental Laboratory Procedurcs. Force Base, TX,,July 1979

The Granger-PrudenMemorial Award

Offered bv Northeastern
Gnathofogical Society
The Northeastern Gnathological Society honors the memory of Ernest R. Granger and William H.
Pruden I1 by offering the Granger-Pruden Award. This award of $2,500 is given annually for research in
prosthodontics or related materials science. Deadline for submission of protocol or completed research is
March 1, 1995. For further information contact:
R. Brian Ullniann, DDS, PA
3 12 Warren Ave
Ho-Ho-KUS, NJ 07423
Telephone: (201) 444-0046
Fax: (201) 6 12-0423