patient assessment and initial impressions and registration

Question 1

how should one begin going about assessing the patient and their denture?

Answer 1

build an initial rapport
- presenting complaint
- dental and denture history

asses them while they speak, can you notice anything about the denture?

Question 2

what I/O and E/O examinations should be done when assessing a denture patient?

Answer 2

assess their complaint - if they have one

I/O exam
- chart teeth
- soft tissue exam
- residual ridges
- denture bearing area

E/O exam
- smile line
- facial height?
- mesio-labial angle

Question 3

how would you assess the teeth when considering a denture?

Answer 3

health of possible abutment teeth

• vitality testing
• mobility testing
• radiographs
• BPE

Question 4

if they are an existing denture patient, what may you assess on current denture?

Answer 4

support of the denture

how well the denture retains in the mouth

aesthetics of the denture

is the denture stable

any sharp areas or uncomfortable areas? areas of high pressure?

Lip and facial support

Condition of the denture and the teeth

Any repairs?

Question 5

how are primary impressions taken?

Answer 5

try in the tray initially, add wax extensions to area where the tray may need expanding

fill tray from posterior with alginate and rotate the tray into position

finally, decontaminate and rinse gross debris from impressions, then write up lab card and place in bag.

Question 6

how is the primary registration recorded?

Answer 6

if the casts can be hand articulated (no large free end saddles) then place on articulator with wax wafer to identify areas for rest seats

if cant be hand articulated then place primary record blocks in saddles along with registration medium and then articulate.

Question 7

what is the stage after taking primary impressions?

Answer 7

survey cast