Clinical comparison of two mandibular major connector designs: the sublingual bar and the lingual plate

[Application of sublingual bar to removable partial denture of a patient complaining of major discomfort to lingual plate]

PATIENT

A 62-year-old man complained of discomfort during insertion of lower removable partial denture (RPD). Existing denture was highly objectionable to tongue and intolerable to wear due to volume and contour of its lingual aspect. The treatment plan included fabrication of an interim denture and altering its shape until it did not lead to discomfort, followed by fabrication of a final denture. Consequently, RPD using sublingual bar was found to be the most comfortable to wear and was fabricated as final denture. The patient was ready to insert the final denture and restoration of masticatory function was accomplished.

DISCUSSION

In cases with unfavorable anatomic conditions such as a lack of mouth-floor depth, lingual plate should be applied as first choice, and when it is not well tolerated by the patient, sublingual bar should be applied.

CONCLUSION

Sublingual bar is suggested to be one of the least objectionable major connectors.

Comparative study of maxillary complete dentures constructed of metal base and metal structure framework

A removable denture designed using a three-dimensional cast metal framework (hereafter referred to as the 'structurally designed' denture) could extend denture longevity because it is unbreakable and easy to adjust. The aim of the present clinical study was to compare two types of maxillary removable dentures: conventional dentures and structurally designed denture. One edentulous and five partially dentate patients were fitted with two maxillary dentures made from the same impression and same occlusal relationship. About 20 days after delivery of the denture, masticatory analysis was conducted chewing phase (open, closed, and occluded); coefficients of variation and average variation were calculated. Denture vibration during tapping was then measured using an accelerometer. The patients were also interviewed about comfort, ease of chewing, speech, stability, aesthetics and preference for regular use. For both masticatory movements and denture vibration, there were no significant differences (P>0.1) between the conventional denture and the structural design denture. In evaluating the dentures according to each criteria, the significant superiority of one denture over the other could not be determined. However, all patients subjectively preferred the structurally designed dentures for regular use. According to these findings, structurally designed dentures do not appear to have any particular physiological problems as compared with the conventional dentures.

Selective-pressure single impression procedure for tooth-mucosa-supported removable partial dentures

This article describes a method of making impressions for tooth-mucosa-supported removable partial dentures using a single impression procedure. Through the use of border-molded custom trays, selectively relieved, and application of pressure on residual ridge areas, the objectives of maximum tissue coverage and selective tissue placement of primary stress-bearing areas are fulfilled. With a single impression procedure, treatment time is reduced and laboratory errors commonly encountered with the altered cast impression technique can be minimized or eliminated.