Removable Prosthodontics Flashcards
Name the three parts of a surveyor
- Surveyor tools
- Movable arm and tool holder
- Adjustable platform
What is a dental surveyor?
“A paralleling instrument used in the construction of a dental prosthesis to locate and delineate the contours and relative positions of abutment teeth and associated structures”
What are the two main aims and objectives of surveying?
- Determining the most desirable path of denture placement
- Identifying proximal tooth surfaces that are or need to be parallel, so they cant act as guiding planes during placement and removal
Name the four surveying tools
- Analysing rod
- Graphite marker
- The undercut gauge
- The chisel
what is the function of the analysing rod?
Analyses tooth and tissue undercuts and determines the path of insertion for the denture
What is the function of the graphite marker?
To scribe tooth and tissue undercuts on the model
What is the function of the undercut gauge?
Measures desired amount of undercut for the clasp material used
What is the function of the chisel?
Used to trim the blocked out undercut areas on the model
What is the purpose of the universal joint?
It allows the platform of the surveying table to be moved in any direction
What is meant by the “path of displacement”?
The path taken when the denture is dislodged in function
What is meant by the “path of insertion”?
Path of denture to seat it
If the model is at zero tilt, what will this mean in regards to the path of insertion and displacement? What is the consequence of this?
The path of insertion and displacement will be the same, therefore the denture will drop down
If the model is at posterior tilt, what will this mean in regards to the path of insertion and displacement? What is the consequence of this?
The path of insertion and displacement will differ, therefore the denture will have more retention
why is it unsuitable to have an anterior tilt of the model on the survey table?
Due to the space created between the analysing rod and tissue, the finished denture would also be fabricated with this space
Define, no space between analysing rod and tooth.
Non undercut
Define, space between analysing rod and tooth
Undercut
Once the path of insertion is decided, where are lines drawn on the model and why?
Lines drawn on both sides of model and one on the back using the analysing rod. This allows model to be put back on surveyor at the same angle at a later date
In regards to the survey line, where is the undercut area found?
Below the survey line
In regards to the survey line, where is the non-undercut area found?
Above the survey line
What two pieces of information can be obtained from a survey line?
- Where the undercut and non undercut areas are on a tooth
- The type of survey line indicates what retentive component is required to obtain the denture
What type of clasp is suitable for a diagonal survey line? (Give two examples of clasp materials)
Occlusally approaching clasp (e.g. stainless steel or cobalt chrome)
What clasp is suitable for high survey line?
Gingivally approaching clasp
What clasp is suitable for low survey line?
Gingivally approaching clasp
What is the benefit of a gingivally approaching clasp compared to occlusally approaching clasp?
Gingivally approaching clasp is less visible so better aesthetically
A gingivally approaching clasp only contacts tooth surface at its tip. True or false?
True
A cobalt chrome clasp can utilise what undercut measurement?
0.25mm
A stainless steel clasp can utilise what undercut measurement?
0.5mm
A gold clasp can utilise what undercut measurement?
0.75mm
What are the 4 components that make up a denture?
- PMMA acrylic plate
- Saddle areas
- Clasps
- Occlusal rests
which part of the denture is a major connector?
The plate (either PMMA acrylic or cobalt chrome)
what is the purpose of the saddle areas of a denture?
They consist of the replacement teeth and flange extensions
What part of a denture is the retentive component?
Clasps
What are the two types of clasps materials you can get?
Stainless steel or cobalt chrome
What are the 3 functions of occlusal rests?
- Provide support for denture
- Directs occlusal loads down the long axis of the teeth
- Can provide indirect retention
What is the benefit of using a PMMA plate over a cobalt chrome plate?
PMMA is very affordable, whereas cobalt chrome is more expensive
What is the benefit of using cobalt chrome plate over a PMMA plate?
Cobalt chrome is thinner so much more comfortable for patient, also it is stronger so doesn’t fracture as easily as PMMA plate
Name the part of a lingual bar that resists posterior uplift of the denture
Cummer arms
what is the minimum space allowed from sulcus depth to the gingival margin in order to prescribe a lingual bar?
7mm space
What are the two implications for use of lingual bar?
- it covers less gingival margins than cobalt chrome plate
- should be used where there is spacing between anterior teeth
In what situation can a dental bar not be used?
When there is spacing between anterior teeth
What is the minimum total crown height required for a dental bar to be used?
9mm
what are the three advantages of a Dental D acetyl resin clasp?
- Very flexible
- Can engage deeper undercuts than metal clasps
- Available in a variety of tooth shades
Give two examples of types of gingivally approaching clasps
- T clasp or roach T
- I Bar clasp
Name the 5 different upper major connectors that can be used in a denture
- PMMA plate
- Mid palatal bar (cobalt chrome)
- Posterior bar (cobalt chrome)
- Skeletal or ring design (cobalt chrome)
- Horseshoe design (cobalt chrome)
what is the typical width range for a mid palatal, posterior or anterior bar?
Between 7-12mm
Why is a reciprocal component required on a denture?
In order to prevent tooth movement
Why might you choose an anterior tilt of the casting model when surveying over a posterior?
Because the denture will eventually fit with no anterior spacing, there may be a larger posterior under-cut but this should be relatively easy to clean and won’t be as visible as an anterior undercut would be if a posterior tilt were used.
What is a partial denture?
A denture where some natural teeth remain in the jaw
What is a complete denture?
A denture where there are no natural teeth in the jaw, so artificial teeth replace them all
What are the materials that can be used to make partial dentures?
PMMA or cobalt chromium
What are three main reasons that we make partial dentures?
- Appearance
- Speech
- Mastication
What is lateral tongue spread?
When there are missing posterior teeth, the tongue can spread into the space where natural teeth previously occupied
What is an obturator?
A prosthetic device that is bonded onto denture and closes/blocks opening, such as a Maxillofacial defect in the palate
If there’s spacing between teeth, or teeth don’t meet each other properly, what three things could happen?
- Over-erruption of teeth
- Drifting of teeth
- Tilting of teeth
What is a shortened dental arch?
Where all the molar teeth are lost
What are the 7 negatives of partial dentures?
- Caries
- Gingivitis
- Periodontitis
- Gingival stripping
- Plaque accumulation
- Overloading of natural teeth
- Oral mucosal problems
What is the main negative consequence of partial dentures?
Caries
How do dentures cause gum stripping?
Because a denture will not sit absolutely firmly in the mouth, there will always be some sort of movement. Over time, the bone shrinks back under the denture causing it to “rock”. This causes gum recession.
Why does denture stomatitis occur?
When a patient wears their denture all the time, including at night. Poor denture hygiene.
What fungi causes denture stomatitis?
Candida albicans
In partial dentures, where is the most common place to find plaque accumulation?
Around clasps
what is an edentulous saddle?
A saddle with no teeth or where there are missing teeth
What is a free end saddle?
A saddle where the back teeth are all missing
What is a bounded saddle?
Where there is a natural tooth on either side of a gap
how many Kennedy classifications are there?
4
What Kennedy class is this:
Bilateral free end saddle
Class I
What Kennedy class is this:
Single bounded saddle crossing the midline
Class IV
What Kennedy class is this:
Unilateral free end saddle
Class II
What Kennedy class is this:
Single bounded saddle not crossing the midline
Class III
What Kennedy class is essentially missing front teeth?
Class IV
When are modifications used to refine the basic Kennedy classifications?
If more than 1 edentulous saddle is present
Which Kennedy class cannot have modifications?
Class IV
What should you use to define the main Kennedy classification when there are modifications?
The most posterior saddle
How many clinical visits are there to creating a partial denture?
7
How many lab stages are there to creating a partial denture?
4
when planning to make partial dentures, what occurs in the first clinical visit?
History and examination, and treatment planning
When examining the occlusion in order to make a partial denture, what are you looking for initially?
Index teeth
what are index teeth?
A natural tooth in one jaw has a contacting facet or cusp which meets the opposing tooth in the other jaw
when planning to make partial dentures, what occurs in the 2nd clinical visit?
Recording of primary impressions
when planning to make partial dentures, what occurs in the 1st lab stage?
- Production of primary casts in plaster
- production of record blocks
What are record blocks?
Constructed out of wax, these are used to record the occlusion
In what situation would record blocks not be required to make a partial denture?
If there is sufficient index teeth
When planning to make partial dentures, what occurs in the 3rd clinical visit? (This stage is not always required)
Recording of the occlusion
when planning to make partial dentures, what occurs in the 2nd lab stage?
Surveying of articulated casts, design of partial denture, and construction of special tray
What is the purpose of surveying?
Gives information on:
- the path of insertion of a denture
- areas around teeth that may stop denture from seating
- areas around the teeth that are useful for holding (or clasping) the denture in place
when planning to make partial dentures, what occurs in the 4th clinical visit?
- Discussion of denture design with patient
- tooth modifications if necessary
- secondary impressions taken in special tray
- select artificial teeth, shape shade and mould
What materials can be used to take a secondary impression?
Alginate or silicone
when planning to make partial dentures, what occurs in the3rd lab stage?
- preparation of secondary working casts
- construction of casting
- setting of artificial teeth in wax
How is a cobalt chrome denture cast constructed?
Initially it is made in wax, then by a technique called the lost wax technique, it is cast in cobalt chromium.
when planning to make partial dentures, what occurs in the 5th clinical visit?
Trial insertion of dentures
At the try in stage, what do you need to assess?
- extensions
- adaptation
- retention
- occlusion
- appearance
at try in stage, what is important to let the patient know about their dentures?
That they will feel looser at this stage than when they are finished
when planning to make partial dentures, what occurs in the 4th lab stage?
Processing of the denture:
- conversion of wax parts to PMMA.
- artificial teeth secured into denture
How is wax converted to PMMA?
Wax trial denture placed in a flask, the wax would be boiled out and the acrylic would be injection moulded into the flask
when planning to make partial dentures, what occurs in the 6th clinical visit?
Insertion of final denture
when planning to make partial dentures, what occurs in the 7th clinical visit?
Review patient after a year
what is a complete denture?
A removable dental prosthesis that replaces the entire dentition and associated structures of the maxillae and/or mandible
What material are complete dentures usually made of?
- PMMA (mostly)
- Nylon (if patient allergic to PMMA)
What are the two types of complete dentures that can be made?
- Replica dentures
- Conventional dentures
What are replica dentures?
“Copy dentures”- they are based on existing dentures
what are conventional dentures?
Dentures made from scratch
How is a replica denture made?
- Take mould of existing denture in putty
- Produce a copy of the denture in wax and shellac
What is the health gain for the patient from use of complete dentures?
- Appearance
- masticatory function
- speech
- cranial-facial function
- societal function
- self esteem
Which denture is more likely to have issues with retention and stability? The upper or lower denture? And why?
The lower, because it sits on the residual ridge so the tongue moves around beside it and can tend to lift it
what are the two most common oral mucosal problems due to dentures?
- Denture stomatitis
- Denture hyperplasia
What is denture stomatitis?
When the denture bearing area is red and has sloughing, largely due to the denture being worn overnight and not cleaned properly
What fungi tends to cause denture stomatitis?
Candida albicans
What is denture hyperplasia?
Where the tissues become chronically inflamed causing overgrowth of fibrous tissue. Usually caused by flange on denture digging in.
If a patient uses denture fixative what does this suggest?
That dentures are inadequate
When might you choose to use a closer fitting impression tray?
In a situation where the patient is edentulous and they have a resorbed ridge
what materials could be used for a close fitted tray?
Silicone or zinc oxide euganol
when placing artificial teeth on the mount casts, what teeth should be placed first?
Anterior teeth
What is the benefit of replica dentures over conventional dentures?
One less clinical and lab stage as the master impressions and occlusion stage happens at the same visit
What material do you use to record the occlusion of a replica denture?
Silicone paste
What are the 7 main questions to ask a patient in a denture history?
- What age are the dentures?
- Are the dentures a matched set?
- What are the most recent set of dentures you have worn?
- When did you get your 1st dentures?
- How many sets of dentures do you own?
- Are they acrylic or Co/Cr?
- Are they a success or failure?
What are the 5 main medical conditions to look out for in a medical history in regards to making dentures and why?
- Neuromuscular problems, such as MND. (Patient cannot control jaw)
- Tremor, such as Parkinson’s disease. (Can be very difficult to do a jaw registration)
- Stroke (affects face and tongue muscles)
- Dementia (affect patients understanding of treatment)
- Sjögren’s syndrome (causes xerostomia)
What information is needed from a social history in order to make dentures?
- mobility of teeth
- does the patient have barriers to treatment
- alcohol/smoking
In an extra-oral examination for a denture case, what are you looking for?
- signs of TMJ dysfunction
- facial pathology
- facial contours
- overall appearance of dentures
What combination of bacteria causes angular chelitis?
- Candida albicans
- Beta-haemolytic streptococci
- Staph aureus
When may angular chelitis present in a denture case?
In patients wearing very worn/old dentures which make the mouth over-close, or if a patient has dry mouth
What can cause denture stomatitis?
- poor denture hygiene
- anaemia
why does denture hyperplasia occur?
Usually because the denture is digging in somewhere causing blanching and trauma to the area
How would you manage denture hyperplasia?
Take an acrylic bur and trim the denture so to clear the area of trauma
What are the three issues you are scanning for when assessing occlusion, before denture construction?
- Over-eruption
- Drifting
- Tilting
What does peri-oral opening mean?
How big your oral orifice is
In an edentulous patient, what is the primary support of the upper jaw?
Hard palate
In an edentulous patient, what is the secondary support of the upper jaw?
Ridge crest
In an edentulous patient, what are the primary supports of the lower jaw?
Buccal shelf and retro-molar pad
In an edentulous patient, what are the secondary supports of the lower jaw?
Ridge crest and genial tubercles
Define, the resistance to displacement of a denture away from the ridge.
Retention
define, the ability of a denture to resist displacement by functional stresses.
Stability
Define, the resistance of vertical movement of a denture towards the ridge.
Support
Define, the degree of fit between a prosthesis and supporting structures.
Adaptation
what happens to adaptation of a denture after it is worn for a long time?
Decreases
What is a diagnostic wax up?
A special test where you make a wax up model which you can articulate and show the patient
Give two examples of pre-prosthetic treatment?
- Improving OH to get the underlying tissues back to heath
- Restoring a natural tooth
In what case what you refer a denture patient to oral medicine?
If they have persistent oral mucosal problems (e.g. ulcer)
Why are impressions necessary in dentistry?
- For construction of appliances ( dentures, crowns, bridges etc.)
- Pre & post treatment monitoring
- Show progression of tooth wear (bruxists)
- Record keeping
- Medico-legally/regulations
What should the ideal primary impressions record?
“The clinical relevant landmarks without excessive tissue distortion”
what are the clinically relevant landmarks to record on a primary impression prior to making a partial denture?
Natural teeth and denture bearings areas
what are the clinically relevant landmarks to record on a primary impression prior to making a complete denture?
Denture bearing area
What is the denture bearing area?
The edentulous ridge and surrounding sulci
In partial denture construction, what are primary impressions used for?
- Treatment planning
- Used to construct models
- Examination of occlusion on articulator
- Surveying and determination of path of insertion and denture design
- Construction of special trays
In complete denture construction, what are primary impressions used for?
- Treatment planning
- To construct models
- To construct special tray
what materials can impression stock trays be made out of?
Metal or plastic
when would dentate stock trays be used to take an impression? What is the disadvantage of dentate trays and how can this be resolved?
For individuals with partial or entire dentition. They do not seat well over edentulous areas (this can be improved using putty of edentulous areas before taking impression)
what material is used to make denture impressions?
Alginate
when are master impressions taken for partial denture construction?
After denture design, tooth preparation, record of occlusion, and special tray construction
when are master impressions taken for complete denture construction?
Prior to record of occlusion, to record denture bearing area, functional depth and width of sulci
In what situation would custom special trays not be used to take master impressions?
When making replica complete dentures which use a replica of the previous patient dentures as the tray
What is the objective of recording master impressions for partial dentures?
To record the tissues of the denture-bearings areas, the teeth and in addition the functional width and depth of sulci
What is the objective for recording master impressions for complete dentures?
To record the tissues of the denture-bearings areas and the functional width and depth of sulci
what are the important anatomical structures in the upper denture bearing area?
- labial frenum
- palatine rugae
- buccal sulcus
- Hamilcar notch
- palatine foveae
- vibrating line
- tuberosity
- palatine raphe
- buccal frenum
- incisive papilla
- labial sulcus
what are the important anatomical structures in the lower denture bearing area?
- labial frenum
- buccal frenum
- lingual sulcus
- buccal shelf
- retromolar pad
- buccal sulcus
- lingual frenum
- labial sulcus
What is the palatine foveae?
Two tiny dimples at the back of the palate, just behind where the hard and soft palate meet.
What is the vibrating line?
Junction of the hard and soft palate. It is called vibrating line because of you say “ahhh” you can see where the soft palate vibrates.
Denture should never extend over palatine foveae and vibrating line. True or false?
True
What anatomical feature of the lingual sulcus can be quite prominent and sometimes give discomfort under a lower denture?
Mylohyoid ridge
What three materials can special trays be made from?
- Visibly light-cured resin PMMA (acrylic)
- Shellac
- Self-cure PMMA (acrylic)
What are the advantages of using a visibly light-cured resin material for special trays?
- pre-rolled sheets
- easy to mould
What are the disadvantages of using a visibly light-cured resin material for special trays?
Very rigid, problems removing from model
What are the advantages of using a shellac material for special trays?
Good for deep undercuts, softens with heat and can be removed easily from model
What are the disadvantages of using a shellac material for special trays?
Brittle and fractures easily
What are the disadvantages of using a self-cure PMMA material for special trays?
Problems rolling an even layer
How are special trays usually made?
By placing a thickness of wax over a primary cast
What does the thickness of wax depend on when making special trays?
Depends on the properties of the impression material to be used
What should the thickness of wax (spacing) on the special tray be in order to use alginate for a secondary impression?
3mm
What are the advantages for using special trays for secondary impressions?
- accurate peripheral extension
- uniform thickness of material
- reduced amount of material to be used so less discomfort for patient
- record dentures bearing areas more accurately than primary impression
Ideally, what should the spacing be between the tray flange and the teeth/denture bearing areas in the patients mouth?
4mm
If a tray is not moulding to certain areas of the mouth, what three materials could be used to modify the tray?
- Greenstick/wax
- Putty in edentulous areas
- Thermoplastic red composition in edentulous areas
What are the 5 main steps to taking a primary impression?
- Apply thin layer of adhesive to tray
- Load tray with alginate
- Seat tray in mouth (never leave unsupported)
- Border mould
- Remove with sudden sharp movement
What specific border moulding has to be done for lower impression that isn’t done for upper impressions?
Ask patient to stick tongue out so that you can border mould the lower anterior lingual sulcus
What is the advantage of using greenstick ( also known as mould stops?)
- Helps with positioning of tray
- Maintains space for material to flow into tray
- Allows consistent placing of tray
What do you NEED to use alongside use of greenstick on special tray and why?
Need to use Vaseline separator because greenstick is heated with bounsen burner so would be too hot on its own and potentially burn patients mouth
what does the extension of the special tray for master impressions have to measure in comparison to the sulcus depth in order to allow for border moulding?
Approx 2mm
which type of impression requires use of less alginate. Primary to master?
Master impressions
how would you handle alginate impressions?
- must be kept moist and cast asap
what are the necessary steps to disinfection of impressions before being sent to lab?
- Rinse in running water
- Disinfect for 2 mins in actichlor solution or sodium hypochlorite
- Rinse impression throughly
- Cover impression wit damp paper towels
- Label and place in laboratory bag
- Indicate impressions have been disinfected on lab prescription and get signed of by clinician
what is the concentration of actichlor used to disinfect impressions?
10,000ppm (1%)
What type of denture material would be used where the dentures life expectancy is short, additions to the denture may be likely and where few natural teeth remain in the mouth?
Acrylic (PMMA)