Clinical applications of visible light-cured resin in maxillofacial prosthetics. Part II: Tray material

Radiotherapy molds: An approach to fabricating facial moulage

Impression procedures for recording large maxillofacial defects are tedious and difficult because of the unavailability of stock impression trays. This article describes the procedure of fabricating a straightforward facial moulage with predictable accuracy by using a reusable radiotherapy thermoplastic sheet.

Use of casting tape for support of an extraoral impression

This article describes a technique for using casting tape to support irreversible hydrocolloid material when making extraoral impressions to increase patient comfort, save time, and produce less tissue distortion.

Synthetic casting tape as a facial impression tray material

A procedure is described that uses thermoplastic synthetic casting tape for fabrication of facial impression trays. Once used, these trays can be disinfected without degradation of the tray material, which allows for storage and later use.

A two-stage impression technique for custom facial prostheses

A two-stage impression technique that uses polyvinyl siloxane and irreversible hydrocolloid in a custom impression tray is described. The technique records the tissues to be contacted by the facial prosthesis with minimal distortion with the patient in an upright position and facial musculature at rest. The procedure is simple, accurate, and it eliminates some of the shortcomings of other techniques.

Evaluation of polycaprolaitone custom tray material

Custom impression trays are necessary for accurate impressions in fixed prosthodontics when using polysulfide impression materials. These custom impression trays are needed to provide for a uniform thickness of impression material to minimize distortion. Custom impression trays have historically been made from acrylic resin. New materials have been developed as alternatives to acrylic resin, and this study evaluates one product currently available that is composed of polycaprolaitone. This study evaluates the modulus of elasticity of polycaprolaitone as compared with acrylic resin, and also evaluates the amount of permanent deformation of the new material when placed under a load. The elastic modulus of polycaprolaitone was tested using three-point bending of specimens placed in a universal mechanical test system. The elastic modulus of the new material was found to be significantly lower than that of acrylic resin. The next test evaluated the amount of permanent deformation of the polycaprolatione material when specimens approximating the shape and size of custom impression trays were placed under a load. These trays were placed in a universal mechanical test system and differing loads were placed on them. Results showed that although the trays deformed at relatively low loads, all deformation was fully recovered within a clinically insignificant period of time (less than 30 seconds). From these experiments it was concluded that although the polycaprolaitone material has a lower modulus of elasticity and will deform under relatively low loads, the material recovers completely, and thus the deformation would not interfere with the clinical performance of polycaprolaitone as a custom tray material.

Light-cured combination obturator prosthesis

A technique for the fabrication of an open combination (hard-resilient) obturator prosthesis with VLC materials for patients undergoing partially edentulous maxillectomy is described. VLC denture resins and resilient liners are an exciting innovation in prosthodontic treatment and offer the maxillofacial prosthodontist a wider choice of treatment modalities. The technique and the resultant obturator prosthesis have the following advantages: 1. The ease and rapidity of the technique saves time for both the patient and the maxillofacial prosthodontist by introducing the open obturator prosthesis at the earliest opportunity. 2. The combination open obturator prosthesis provides a stable record base for securing jaw relation records. 3. The thickness and resiliency of the obturator prosthesis can be managed more easily. Flexibility and resiliency can be modified by the thickness of the resilient liner or by adding a rigid scaffolding according to the clinical requirements. 4. Prostheses are easy to repair or modify by using increments of VLC hard or resilient materials. 5. The combination VLC obturator prosthesis provides stability, retention, and decreased weight and obduration of residual palatal defects. 6. The technique can be used for partially edentulous or edentulous patients after maxillary resection.

Report of the Committee on Scientific Investigation of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry

Subjects of the past decade in the dental literature are reflected in this year's Committee report. We note the decrease in the prevalence of caries, the influence of dental implants, the advancements in dental materials, and the continued efforts to control adhesive events in the oral cavity. This year we included comments from and about many significant review articles published this past year. The Committee continues to be concerned about the quality of some of the work reported and the quality of the reporting. We have attempted to select the distinguished work, that which provides new information to our profession. The subjects covered include pulp biology, caries prevention, periodontics, implants, craniomandibular function and dysfunction, occlusion, and dental materials.