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Removable Prosthodontics at a Glance provides a comprehensive and accessible guide to the practical elements of complete and partial denture provision. It serves as the perfect illustrated guide for learners, and a handy revision guide for subsequent undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Following the familiar, easy to use at a Glance format, each topic is presented as a double page spread with text accompanied by clear colour diagrams and clinical photographs to support conceptual understanding. Key concepts such as patient assessment, material handling, denture design, making impressions, and much more are explained and superbly illustrated enabling the reader to visualise the intended clinical endpoint. Removable Prosthodontics at a Glance is a valuable resource for students studying dentistry and clinical dental technology, and those preparing for further studies in Prosthodontics.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Field, James, 1979- author. | Storey, Claire, author.
Title: Removable prosthodontics at a glance / James Field, Claire Storey.
Description: Hoboken, NJ : Wiley-Blackwell, 2020. | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2019056770 (print) | LCCN 2019056771 (ebook) | ISBN 9781119510741 (paperback) | ISBN 9781119510710 (adobe pdf) | ISBN 9781119510697 (epub)
Subjects: LCSH: Dentures. | Prosthodontics.
Classification: LCC RK656 .F495 2020 (print) | LCC RK656 (ebook) | DDC 617.6/92—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019056770
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019056771
Cover Design: Wiley
Cover Image: Courtesy of James Field
Cover
About the companion website
1 Introduction
Communication and expectations
The clinical process
2 The function of removable prostheses
Function
Restoring vs improving
Quality of life
Risks of removable prostheses
3 Stability and retention
Stability
Retention
Stability vs retention
The gag reflex
4 Patient assessment for complete dentures
The patient and the rationale for treatment
Prosthodontic history
Clinical examination
Ridge assessment
Assessment of existing prostheses
5 Edentulous ridge presentations
Upper edentulous ridges
Lower edentulous ridges
6 Patient assessment for partial dentures
The patient and the rationale for treatment
Prosthodontic history
Clinical examination
Ridge assessment
Partial denture classification
Assessment of existing prostheses
Radiographic assessment
7 Factors complicating success
Prognosis and justification
Risk factors
8 Accessibility and operator position
Posture and operating position
Move yourself, and the patient
Upper arches
Lower arches
Control of the prostheses and trays
Other considerations
9 Pre-prosthetic treatment
Extraoral assessment
Edentulous patients
Partially dentate patients
Periodontal disease and caries
Implants
10 Revisiting the anatomy
Upper arch
Lower arch
11 Making a primary impression – complete dentures
Choice of tray
Material
Lower arches
12 Making a primary impression – partial dentures
Choice of tray
Material
13 Special trays
Materials
Tray spacers and tissue stops
Handles
Material retention and support
Full seating
14 Compound and putty materials – handling and manipulation
Compound and greenstick
Putty
15 Recording an upper functional impression
Checking the special tray
Important functional anatomy
Posterior border
Partial dentures
16 Recording a lower functional impression
Checking the special tray
Important functional anatomy
Labial sulcus
Posterior and disto-lingual anatomy
Partial dentures
17 Managing fibrous ridges
Mucostatic
Mucocompressive
18 Denture bases
Types of denture base
Alternative denture base materials
19 Recording the maxillo-mandibular relationship
The denture bases
Natural tooth contacts in partially dentate patients
The registration material
A passive process
The process
Checking the registration
20 Prescribing the upper wax contour
Using the previous denture as a guide
Lip support
Incisal level and the alar–tragal plane
Buccal corridors
Other useful markers
Tongue space and assessing speech
21 Prescribing the lower wax contour
The tongue
Lip support
Incisal level and plane
Buccal relationship
Vertical dimensions, tongue space and speech
22 Tooth selection and arrangement
Biological markers
Tooth shapes
Tooth sizes
Tooth shade and characterisation
Other considerations
23 Occlusal dimensions and occlusal schemes
Conform or reorganise?
Occlusal schemes
Complete denture occlusal schemes
Facebows
24 Respecting the neutral zone
Diagnosis
Managing the neutral zone
The formal neutral zone impression
Effects of respecting the neutral zone
25 Assessing trial prostheses
What should be checked at try-in?
Managing occlusal discrepancies
26 Fitting and reviewing finished prostheses
Returning on casts
Checking the fitting surface
Checking occlusal contacts
Reviewing the prostheses
27 Copying features from existing prostheses
Tooth arrangements
Fitting surface
Full denture contour
Modifying prostheses prior to copying
How to create modified copy dentures
28 Classifying partial prostheses and material choices
Kennedy Classification
Applegate Classification
Potential difficulties with each class
Material choice
29 Designing partial prostheses
Preliminary registration
Other necessary information
A system of design
30 Saddles, rests and clasps
Saddles
Rests
Direct retention – clasps
Indirect retention
31 Connectors and bracing
Bracing
Major and minor connectors
32 Surveying and preparing guide planes
Should I survey for acrylic dentures?
Path of natural displacement
Path of insertion
Guide planes
Modifying the dentition
33 Designing frameworks – case examples
Example 1 – Upper Kennedy Class I, modification I
Example 2 – Lower Kennedy Class III, modification I
Example 3 – Upper Kennedy Class III, modification I
Example 4 – Upper Kennedy Class III, modification I
Example 5 – Upper Kennedy Class III, modification I
Example 6 – Lower Kennedy Class II
34 Precision attachments – the fixed–removable interface
Classifying precision attachments
Semi-precision rests
35 Dealing with frameworks and substructures
Try-in of the framework
Alloy teeth
Accounting for additions
Protecting small anterior saddles
Altering clasps
36 The altered cast technique and the RPI system
The altered cast technique
The RPI system
37 Swing-lock prostheses
What is a swing-lock prosthesis?
Indications
Contraindications
Assessing the periodontal condition
The latch assembly
Retentive elements
Connector design
38 Gingival veneers
Contraindications
Veneering materials
Indirect technique
Retention
Silicone vs acrylic
Shade taking
39 Immediate and training prostheses
Complete immediate dentures
Partial immediate dentures
Training prostheses
40 Occlusal splints
Splint types
Occlusal coverage
Records for construction
41 Implant-supported mandibular overdentures
Planning
Construction
Maintenance
42 Principles of restoring maxillary defects
Primary impressions
Major impressions
Framework designs
Obturator bungs
43 Tissue conditioners, liners and re-basing
Tissue conditioners
Soft liners
Degradation
Re-basing
44 Maintaining adequate oral hygiene
The impact of partial prostheses
Complicating factors
Cleaning partial and complete prostheses
Fixed prostheses
45 Troubleshooting loose or painful dentures
Loss of retention and displacement
Pain underneath denture bases
Other causes of pain
46 Gagging, other difficulties and making a referral
Managing the gagging patient
Tongue spread and lip activity
Speech problems
Referral process
47 Summary of procedural stages
Prescribing the placement of teeth and recording jaw relations
Partial denture design
Partial denture provision
Complete denture provision
Modified copy denture provision
Implant-supported mandibular overdenture provision
Appendices
Appendix 1: Complete denture assessment proforma
Appendix 2: Restorative assessment proforma
Appendix 3: Referral letters
Appendix 4: Partial denture design sheet
Recommended and supplementary reading
Index
End User License Agreement
Cover
Table of Contents
Chapter
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31
32
33
34
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41
42
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46
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Removable prosthodontics is often described as a ‘black art’ – the Marmite of dentistry; practitioners tend to either love it or hate it. Fortunately, we love it – and with some simple guidance, hopefully you will too. Like most operative interventions, success depends on:
The skill of the dentist
The technical difficulty of the case
The patient's perceptions, ideas and expectations
Providing prostheses that are satisfactory to the patient is a challenge – and there are many reasons why patients can be dissatisfied with the finished result. Many relate to social aspects of patients’ lives – how they are able to interact with others, particularly when eating and speaking. Common reasons include:
Unacceptable aesthetics
Inability to chew food properly
Inability to enjoy the same foods as before
Problems with speech
Discomfort or persistent pain
Disagreements over time and cost
Despite the diversity of complaints, there is often a common thread running through them all – lack of information exchange and an inappropriate level of patient expectation. We would therefore argue that the most important skill when making satisfactory removable prostheses is that of communication.
Effective communication takes time. As clinicians we often start looking for mechanical reasons to explain why patients might be having difficulties with their existing prostheses – excessive movement, trauma or ulceration, poor retention, or design of coverage. On that basis, we often agree to make a new prosthesis. In reality, patient tolerance relates to very much more than just mechanics and physical function. It is crucial that the treatment you provide is driven by patient-perceived need. This means that patients need to understand and buy into the clinical rationale, including risks and benefits, of the proposed treatment. Similarly, we need to understand the patient's rationale for wanting a prosthesis. Given enough time, it is highly likely that these requirements can be met.
Often, the process of making removable prostheses begins with a primary impression. Try and break that habit, and implement these simple steps first:
Set aside at least 5 minutes to talk to your patient
Sit in front of your patient – do not stand in front of your patient with a stock tray in your hand!
Invite
your patient to explain why they would like you to make a denture – what are they hoping it will provide?
Crucially, your patient needs to feel that they can talk freely and comfortably about their tooth loss. This will not happen if they feel rushed, or feel that you are not actively listening to them.
This incredibly important part of the process is investigative. It should determine the choice of treatment that will follow. If the patient has an existing prosthesis, ensure that you ask what they think might change with a new one? What would they like to change?
It is at this early stage that you can begin to modify your patient's expectations if you feel that they are unrealistic. It is always better to begin this way, than back-tracking later and trying to reduce high expectations at the try-in or the fitting stages.
It is also a good opportunity to provide your honest thoughts on the likely outcome. We would caution against promising patients that their new prosthesis will be any better than the one that is being replaced, even if you can identify significant technical flaws. Instead, it is beneficial to ensure that you:
Reiterate why you think the patient would like a new prosthesis
Describe any technical features that you believe you can improve upon
Estimate how many visits, including retries and review appointments, you expect may be needed
Explain the fact that when the new prosthesis is fitted, even if it is technically better, it will still take a period of acclimatisation (up to 6 months, and longer in some cases) before the patient is able to function optimally
Generate an understanding that during this time, the patient will need to adapt
slowly
to their new prosthesis, even if it appears to function comfortably – and this is particularly important in relation to complete denture patients
Communication aside, the process of making removable prostheses is more manageable than it may seem at first. There are often simple approaches that can yield excellent results, without expensive materials or equipment. In the main, technical success is about attention to detail and knowing which materials work best in your hands.
The aim of this at-a-glance guide is to provide advice on how to achieve optimal outcomes at each clinical stage of the process. Our opinions are based on decades of combined experience teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and routinely treating a wide range of cases. We have provided recommended reading for each chapter in case you wish to read more about the technical stages, or to understand better the theory and evidence base that underpins the fabrication of removable prostheses.
Educationally, we use the term ‘bricolage’ (tinkering) when we are teaching our students about new materials in the clinics. If it has been a while since you have used some of the materials in this book, then get hold of some of them, and have a play!
It is often assumed that the function of a prosthesis relates only to ‘mastication’ – but there are many other functions that removable prostheses can serve. As clinicians, we are often good at recognising technical reasons why dentures should be constructed – but often the social aspects from the patient's perspective are overlooked.
Be mindful that the prosthesis must serve a function as perceived by the patient. If we are constructing a prosthesis that has a clear clinical rationale, but the reasons are less obvious to the patient, then we must spend time explaining how we intend the prosthesis to help. Unless the patient understands and believes the rationale for their construction, they are unlikely to wear them regularly.
That said, it is remarkable what patients will tolerate in order to achieve a desired outcome. For example, a patient might wear their prostheses whilst they are out of the house in order to facilitate a more normal social life – even if it is painful – but it is likely that they will take them out once they enter the house again – especially if they live alone. This is probably not dissimilar to us kicking off a pair of shoes that have been rubbing – but made us look good. Many patients living alone also take their dentures out in order to eat – so do not always think that the primary function of your lovingly constructed dentures is to help your patient to chew!
It is important to remember that replacement of all of the patient's missing teeth is often unnecessary. That said, it is still critically important that denture bases are extended into the full denture-bearing area in order to maximise stability and retention – and this will be discussed further in the following chapters.
Removable prostheses are indicated primarily for the following clinical reasons (Figure 2.1):
Restoring masticatory function
Restoring appearance
Restoring speech
Restoring soft tissue bulk and providing soft tissue support
Acclimatisation during the transition to becoming edentulous
Removable prostheses are often indicated for the following technical reasons:
Restoring long edentulous saddles
Restoring multiple short edentulous saddles
Providing posterior stability and improving occlusal load distribution
Preventing undesirable tooth movements
Rehabilitating to an increased vertical dimension
Facilitating functional anterior guidance
In order to prescribe diastemata between prosthetic teeth
To avoid preparing abutment teeth for fixed prostheses
To avoid cantilevering from root-treated teeth
To aid planning and diagnosis, especially prior to implant placement
Finally, but by no means least, our patients may well request removable prostheses in order to:
Improve aesthetics
Restore social confidence
Improve their eating experience
Notice that most of the clinical rationale is based around restoring or rehabilitating, whilst patient requests often centre around improving. This important subtlety can easily be lost when negotiating informed consent. Correcting technical deficiencies and restoring clinical function does not necessarily result in a patient-perceived improvement. Again, moderating patient expectations is critical at each stage of treatment.
One of the most profound moments as an undergraduate was when Professor Janice Ellis (Newcastle) asked us whether we would rather lose a leg, and have a prosthetic replacement, or lose all of our teeth and wear a denture? At the time this seemed like a ridiculous comparison to make – but actually as clinicians we do become desensitised to seeing edentulous patients or partially dentate patients. The bottom line is whether we really sympathise with our patients or not. By working on a daily basis with edentulous patients who are struggling to cope, it is relatively easy to sympathise with the condition – even if we are unable to fully empathise. However, if we converse with denture-wearers less frequently, then there is a chance that we forget about what Professor Ellis termed the ‘edentulous plight’. This reiterates why it is important that we take the time to listen to what our patients want, and that they feel comfortable enough to tell us.
One of the most significantly overlooked aspects of denture provision is the potential negative impact on the hard and soft tissues. Primarily this relates more to the provision of partial prostheses – and patients should be made aware as part of the planning process (through informed consent) of the risks and benefits of receiving dentures. Do not assume that because your patient is already wearing dentures that there is no need to reiterate the potential risks.
Whilst the jury is probably out in terms of the impact on periodontal disease, there is clear evidence of an increased risk of plaque accumulation, gingivitis and root caries for patients wearing partial prostheses. Many well-conducted studies show that the key to minimising soft and hard tissue damage whilst wearing dentures is to maintain an optimal level of oral hygiene, and to attend regular review and maintenance appointments; this is very much a shared responsibility between clinician and patient. The patient must understand this, and the discussion should be well documented in the case notes.
Stability and retention are fundamental principles for the construction of removable prostheses – consequently, problems with retention and stability often underpin the patient's perception of the prostheses.
This can be defined as the resistance to horizontal displacement or rotation – in complete dentures, or around large saddles, this is often determined by the underlying anatomy and ridge form; this is primarily assessed in terms of the cross-sectional profile of the ridge, and how much support the ridge is able to provide before it distorts or displaces.
From time to time you will notice ridges that present with fibrous aspects, which have a tendency to displace on palpation and loading. You may notice these presentations being referred to as flabby ridges, but this expression is not so well received with patients! Fibrous elements can affect the whole aspect of the ridge, or just the crestal tissues. The impact this has on denture stability will be determined by which anatomical features are affected and is discussed further in Chapter 17.
When considering shorter or bounded saddles, elements of stability will be derived from the way in which the denture base contacts the hard tissues (either acrylic or cobalt chrome) and engages undercuts. This is largely determined by the ‘path of insertion’ (POI) and is discussed further in Chapter 32. To a degree, the stability of the prosthesis is therefore dependent on how effectively the neighbouring teeth can support lateral loading. This is known as ‘bracing’. If there is inadequate bony support for the abutment teeth then they will also move pathologically, and cause denture instability. This will cause further damage, possibly resulting in secondary occlusal trauma. These aspects will be discussed further, later in the book, in relation to partial denture planning.
This can be defined as the ability of the prosthesis to withstand removal in an axial direction – with complete dentures or areas over large saddles, this is often determined by the degree of coverage (employing cohesive and adhesive contact forces) and whether a border seal can be achieved. It is also important to consider the extensions of the prosthesis when assessing retention – whilst the prosthesis might be stable when fully seated, overextension may cause a lack of retention in function, as the functional sulcus shortens and displaces the denture base. When considering partial dentures and implant-supported overdentures (ISOD), retention becomes a much more active concept, through the use of direct clasps and retentive abutments. ISODs are considered further in Chapter 41.
I am often asked whether a denture can be stable yet unretentive – and vice versa. The simple answer is yes – to both. The technical challenge comes in ensuring that the prosthesis demonstrates both stability and retention. The key here is that the prosthesis covers the full denture bearing area – and accommodates functional movements within the periphery – the functional sulcus.
We will revisit the full anatomy of the maxillary and mandibular denture bearing areas (DBA) later – but some important anatomical and functional considerations for stability include:
The form of the edentulous ridge and palate
The degree of support offered by the ridges
The position of the polished surfaces in relation to the neutral zone (
Chapter 24
)
The degree to which the maxillary tuberosities are fully captured
The degree to which the disto-lingual anatomy is captured
Patients tend to learn how to improve the stability of dentures by improving muscle tone, tongue control and chewing habits. Whilst edentulous patients often have a habit of improving retention by holding dentures up with the posterior dorsum of the tongue, this appears to be a very patient-specific skill.
Important anatomical aspects for retention include:
Full coverage of the DBA
Developing an adequate border seal
Fully capture the maxillary tuberosities
Fully capture the lingual anatomy
Accounting for the insertion of buccinators into the retromolar pad
Ensuring that the denture is adequately extended, but not overextended, in function
Whilst the DBA and its extensions are very important, the position of the teeth is also critical, particularly in relation to the labio-lingual position of incisors on a lower complete denture. The concept of the neutral zone is very important and this will also be discussed later in Chapter 24. As well as the neutral zone, and impressions to record it, there are other prosthodontic techniques that can be employed to overcome challenges with fibrous ridges – such as:
The RPI design principle
The Altered Cast technique
Various mucostatic or mucocompressive impression techniques
These will be discussed further later in the book.
This is discussed in more detail in Chapter 46 – however, it is worth mentioning at this early stage that the vast majority of patients presenting with a gag reflex are anticipating movement or loss of retention of their prosthesis. It may be that their current prosthesis is stable and retentive – however, most often I find that this is not the case. It is important to take the time to explain to patients that the best outcome is achieved if a stable and retentive denture is created first, which can then be used as a predictable tool for overcoming a gag reflex. Even in patients where counselling is required in order to overcome psychosocial triggers, a well-fitting prosthesis is necessarily the starting point.
Arguably one of the most important elements of your patient assessment, is about taking the time to understand what the patient wants and why. It is also about making a judgement about how likely you are to succeed with your endeavours – there are a number of risk factors that can alter your chances of success and these should be discussed and recorded before the active elements of treatment begin. The majority of these factors are outlined below, largely as bullet point questions, but please do visit the recommended reading section for details of other academic texts which explore some of these concepts in further detail. Please also see the sample Complete Denture Assessment Proforma in Appendix 1.
Why does the patient want new or improved dentures?
Is there any difficulty chewing or speaking?
Do the dentures cause pain or nausea?
Do the dentures cause gagging, and if so, is it immediate?
Are the dentures of a satisfactory appearance?
Have any of these problems got worse recently?
What type of denture is the patient currently wearing?
How old is the prosthesis and where was it/they made?
For how many years has the patient been edentulous?
How many prostheses has the patient received before?
Is the patient willing to attend for the necessary appointments, including review appointments?
Before considering removable complete prostheses, it is important to carry out a full and comprehensive extra- and intraoral assessment. The following aspects can then be considered (Figure 4.1).
Intraoral access
– Can the full denture-bearing anatomy be palpated easily, and can the existing prostheses be easily inserted and removed from the mouth?
Tongue
– Does this occupy a normal space, or does it exhibit lateral spread? Is there a habit of using the tongue to retain the upper denture posteriorly?
Gag reflex
– Can the full denture-bearing area be palpated without eliciting a gag reflex? If not, where are the trigger zones? These are most often the dorsum of the tongue, or the posterior palate.
Ulceration
– Are there any existing signs of ulceration, and do they correspond to the extensions of a prosthesis?
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD)
– Are there currently any signs of muscle pain or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) derangement?
Candidosis and angular cheilitis
– How old are the prostheses and what is the patient's current hygiene regime? Does the patient seem to be over-closed? Is there a high carbohydrate intake throughout the day, nutritional deficiency or a dry mouth?
Dry mouth
– Does the patient complain of a dry mouth? Is this medication-induced? You can grade a dry mouth using the Challacombe scale (see recommended reading).
Tori or significantly undercut ridges –
If present will these interfere with the denture extensions or path of insertion?
Retained roots
– Could these be retained as overdenture abutments?
Any suspicious lesions
, particularly for at-risk patients, that should be investigated or monitored alongside treatment?
Manual palpation is very important in order to assess the ridges adequately. This includes the ridge form (Figure 4.1) (well-formed, atrophic, rounded, flat, knife-edge, fibrous, undercut) and the proximity of the frenal attachments to the crest of the ridges.
The stability (resistance to horizontal or rotational displacement when fully seated) and retention (resistance to vertical displacement) of each prosthesis should be assessed in turn. It is easier to do this individually rather than having both prostheses in at the same time. The upper should be seated from in front of the patient, and whilst holding the molar units, should be rotated in a horizontal plane. It can then be displaced vertically, ensuring that the patient is not holding the denture in place with their tongue, to assess retention. The lower should also be seated from in front of the patient, ideally with the patient in a seated position. Stability can be assessed as above, but also in an antero-posterior direction by pinching the lower incisors between thumb and forefinger and moving the denture lingually and labially.
The denture extensions should then be considered – labial, buccal and posterior aspects – but also coverage of the tuberosities on the upper and disto-lingual extension on the lower. The anatomy of the denture-bearing area is considered in Chapter 10. It is important to assess the extensions systematically to look for under- or overextension. Direct vision is possible for the lower but it can be more challenging on the upper. Retracting the sulcus with your index finger parallel to the arch means that as you seat the denture, you can feel whether the sulcus is ‘pulled in’ towards the prosthesis. If this is the case, the denture is overextended in this area. It is also possible to take a wash impression in silicone or alginate to assess the denture extensions at this stage.
In terms of aesthetics – lip support, incisal plane and buccal space should be noted. These are considered further in Chapter 20.
Finally, in relation to the occlusion
