Facilitating fabrication of ceramic-metal politics for fixed partial dentures

DENTALTECHNOLOGY Facilitating fabrication of ceramic-metal panties for fixed partial dentures David A. Kaiser, D.D.S., M.S.D.* The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas

1 he use of ceramic-metal pontics with Type III gold alloy retainers to achieve a customized esthetic, functional, or contour result is often advantageous. The purpose of this article is to describe the use of the sprue button as a stand during the porcelain baking procedure and a keyway system for orientation of such pontics.

TECHNIQUE 1. Cast, fit, and adjust the Type III gold alloy retainers. *Associate Professor,Department of Restorative Dentistry.

2. Cut a small keyway in a retainer next to the edentulous space (Fig. 1). This will help orient the cast metal substructure. 3. FiIl the keyway with an acrylic resin such as Duralay* and attach an acrylic resin rod (Endowel)t to the setting resin. The rod will help support the formed wax pontics and must be in proper buccolingual alignment (Fig. 2). 4. Wax the pontics to full form and function (Fig. 3).

*Reliance Dental Mfg. Co., Worth, Ill. ?Star Dental Mfg. Co., Conshohocken, Pa.

Fig. 1. A keyway is cut in the retainer next to the edentulous space. Fig. 2. Acrylic resin fills the keyway with an attached and oriented acrylic resin rod.

Fig. 3. The pontics are waxed to proper form and function.

OOZZ-3913/78/110591

+ 02$00.20/0~

1978 The C. V. Mosby Co.

THE JOURNAL

OF PROSTHETIC

DENTiSTRY

591

KAISER

Fig. 4. The pontics

are cast and fitted to the edentulous space.

Fig. 5. The porcelain is added using the sprue button as a stand.

5. Remove

Fig. 6. The restoration

is assembled

and polished.

Fig. 7. The restoration

is cemented

in the mouth.

sufficient wax to allow space for porce-

8. Remove

lain, but do not remove the wax which is in contact

together

with the ridge.

final

6. Cast edentulous (Fig.

4).

the

pontics

and

Orientation

7. Prepare

592

on

by

the

as a baking

can be easily

the lug/

with the ridge.

stained

stand

(Fig.

and glazed

adjustment,

and solder . the p arts

restoration

polish,

and

is now ready

for

cementatic 3n in the

mouth (Fig. 7). Repnnt rcpsts to: DR. DAVID A. KAISER 2823 WHISPER VIEW

the metal and add the porcelain

the sprue button sprue button

them

the sprue bottom

is maintained

keyway and metal contact

pontics

reorient

ridge without removing

the sprue button

(Fig. 6). The

using

SAN ANTONIO. TEXAS 78230

5). The with the

attached.

NOVEMBER

1978

VOLUME

40

NUMBER I