Prosthetic Laboratory Prescription
Definition
The written order from a dentist to a dental laboratory specifying the design, materials, and dimensions of a crown, bridge, or denture. Often includes shade selection and margin details that assist identification.
- Origin
- Written order from dentist to dental laboratory
- Covers
- Design, materials, dimensions of crown, bridge, or denture
- Often includes
- Shade selection and margin details
- Forensic use
- Antemortem record for dental identification
Common questions
How does a prosthetic laboratory prescription help identify remains when dental records alone are incomplete?+
The prescription specifies exact materials and dimensions of a prosthesis, which can be matched physically against a device recovered from remains even when a patient's clinical chart or radiographs are missing or damaged.
Who typically retains a copy of the prosthetic laboratory prescription?+
Both the treating dentist and the dental laboratory that fabricated the appliance usually keep a copy, so investigators may need to request records from the laboratory as well as the dental practice when compiling antemortem data.
Related terms
- Charting Convention
- The set of symbols, abbreviations, and layout rules a dental practice uses to record findings. Conventions vary between countries, training systems, and...
- Coroner's Warrant
- A legal instrument issued by a coroner or medical examiner authorising the retrieval of records relevant to a death investigation, including dental...
- Dental Chart
- A systematic tooth-by-tooth record of the clinical state of a dentition, including restorations, missing teeth, prosthetics, pathology, and morphological features. Both ante-mortem...
- Full-Mouth Radiographic Series
- A complete set of periapical and bitewing radiographs covering all teeth, typically 18 to 20 images. The most forensically useful AM record...
- Record Translation
- The process of converting AM records made in one charting system (e.g., Palmer notation) into the notation system used by the PM...