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A SIMPLE TECHNIQUE FOR OPERATORY PLACEMENT OF OVERDENTURE ATTACHMENTS
CLINICAL
DIRECTIONS A SIMPLE TECHNIQUE FOR OPERATORY PLACEMENT OF OVERDENTURE ATTACHMENTS FRANCIS J. SMITHGALL, D.M.D., F.A.G.D.
T
he overdenture is an excellent prosthesis, whether it is held by endodontically treated teeth or by implants. Although fabrication of the overdenture is generally straightforward, transferring the attachments to the finished overdenture sometimes can be time-consuming and difficult, especially when multiple attachment heads
need to be transferred directly in a chairside procedure. The traditional technique involves using cold cure acrylic powder and liquid with a brush to place acrylic in the access holes of the overdenture. Often, porosity and voids are discovered when the overdenture is first removed from the mouth. The technique described below provides the practitioner
Figure. A curved tip syringe (Monoject 412, Sherwood Davis and Geck) is used to place cold cure acrylic into the access hole in the overdenture to transfer the attachment intraorally. (The overdenture is shown here on the final cast for photographic purposes.)
with a quick and reliable method of placing cold cure acrylic and using a disposable syringe when transferring the attachments to the overdenture chairside. TECHNIQUE
The practitioner prepares the lingual window in the overdenture around all attachments, making sure that adequate relief is provided for the cold cure acrylic. All undercuts beneath the attachment heads should be blocked out so the denture does not lock in the mouth. If needed, the practitioner should lubricate the opposing denture. The curved tip of the syringe (Monoject 412, Sherwood Davis and Geck) should be cut so that the flow of acrylic is not impeded. The practitioner should mix the acrylic so that it will flow, but avoid making it too runny. He or she should then carefully fill all access windows in the overdenture, making sure that the acrylic flows completely around all attachment heads (Figure). The patient should occlude on the overdenture until the acrylic sets completely. The overdenture is then finished and polished. This technique allows the practitioner to easily transfer attachments into an overdenture. Porosity and voids in the acrylic are minimized, and a once-frustrating procedure is simplified. ■ Dr. Smithgall is in private practice at 1601 Walnut St., Suite 1217, Philadelphia, Pa. 19102. Address reprint requests to Dr. Smithgall.
JADA, Vol. 129, April 1998
489
DIRECTIONS A SIMPLE TECHNIQUE FOR OPERATORY PLACEMENT OF OVERDENTURE ATTACHMENTS FRANCIS J. SMITHGALL, D.M.D., F.A.G.D.
T
he overdenture is an excellent prosthesis, whether it is held by endodontically treated teeth or by implants. Although fabrication of the overdenture is generally straightforward, transferring the attachments to the finished overdenture sometimes can be time-consuming and difficult, especially when multiple attachment heads
need to be transferred directly in a chairside procedure. The traditional technique involves using cold cure acrylic powder and liquid with a brush to place acrylic in the access holes of the overdenture. Often, porosity and voids are discovered when the overdenture is first removed from the mouth. The technique described below provides the practitioner
Figure. A curved tip syringe (Monoject 412, Sherwood Davis and Geck) is used to place cold cure acrylic into the access hole in the overdenture to transfer the attachment intraorally. (The overdenture is shown here on the final cast for photographic purposes.)
with a quick and reliable method of placing cold cure acrylic and using a disposable syringe when transferring the attachments to the overdenture chairside. TECHNIQUE
The practitioner prepares the lingual window in the overdenture around all attachments, making sure that adequate relief is provided for the cold cure acrylic. All undercuts beneath the attachment heads should be blocked out so the denture does not lock in the mouth. If needed, the practitioner should lubricate the opposing denture. The curved tip of the syringe (Monoject 412, Sherwood Davis and Geck) should be cut so that the flow of acrylic is not impeded. The practitioner should mix the acrylic so that it will flow, but avoid making it too runny. He or she should then carefully fill all access windows in the overdenture, making sure that the acrylic flows completely around all attachment heads (Figure). The patient should occlude on the overdenture until the acrylic sets completely. The overdenture is then finished and polished. This technique allows the practitioner to easily transfer attachments into an overdenture. Porosity and voids in the acrylic are minimized, and a once-frustrating procedure is simplified. ■ Dr. Smithgall is in private practice at 1601 Walnut St., Suite 1217, Philadelphia, Pa. 19102. Address reprint requests to Dr. Smithgall.
JADA, Vol. 129, April 1998
489