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Readers' round table
READERS’
ROUND
TABLE
BROOKLINE, EDITOR,
JOURNAL
OF PROSTHETIC
MASS.
DENTISTRY
I was most interested in the JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY, Vol. 16, No. 2. The article “Impact Reduction in Complete and Partial Dentures, A Pilot Study” by Herbert M. Parker [J. PROS. DENT. 16:227-245, 19661 was very significant and supportive of my own work. In the 1962 American Dental Association meeting in Miami, I delivered a paper on “Silicone Stress-breakers” based on investigative work begun in 1957. Dr. Parker does not seem to have encountered some of the problems in silicone rubber that we have had with regard to color changes, or the need for mechanical retention as an auxiliary to the chemical adhesive techniques recommended by manufacturers of these chemicals. To avoid some of the problems, dentists have used vulcanized silicone rubber. Because bruxism and tensional habits are important causes of dental pain associated with complete dentures, they are worthy of research. Although the “sandwich” type of appliance is somewhat self equilibrating, compensation for differences in displacement must be considered because the thickness of the denture-bearing mucous membrane may vary from the left to right side. Also, the use of this technique has been found of significant value in the complete upper denture which opposes natural lower anterior teeth, or in a natural lower dentition whose occlusion cannot be restored to an “ideal” plane. In a removable partial denture, the silicone stress-breaker restores some of the function of a peridental membrane. Investigation of this is indicated and at the present time, being investigated in the construction of an artificial tooth embodying the features of stress breaking. Dr. Parker has done much to open the way for treatment of the “dental cripple” and he is to be congratulated for his work. It is hoped that further reports will be published in the near future. JOSEPH B. BARRON, D.M.D.
788
ROUND
TABLE
BROOKLINE, EDITOR,
JOURNAL
OF PROSTHETIC
MASS.
DENTISTRY
I was most interested in the JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY, Vol. 16, No. 2. The article “Impact Reduction in Complete and Partial Dentures, A Pilot Study” by Herbert M. Parker [J. PROS. DENT. 16:227-245, 19661 was very significant and supportive of my own work. In the 1962 American Dental Association meeting in Miami, I delivered a paper on “Silicone Stress-breakers” based on investigative work begun in 1957. Dr. Parker does not seem to have encountered some of the problems in silicone rubber that we have had with regard to color changes, or the need for mechanical retention as an auxiliary to the chemical adhesive techniques recommended by manufacturers of these chemicals. To avoid some of the problems, dentists have used vulcanized silicone rubber. Because bruxism and tensional habits are important causes of dental pain associated with complete dentures, they are worthy of research. Although the “sandwich” type of appliance is somewhat self equilibrating, compensation for differences in displacement must be considered because the thickness of the denture-bearing mucous membrane may vary from the left to right side. Also, the use of this technique has been found of significant value in the complete upper denture which opposes natural lower anterior teeth, or in a natural lower dentition whose occlusion cannot be restored to an “ideal” plane. In a removable partial denture, the silicone stress-breaker restores some of the function of a peridental membrane. Investigation of this is indicated and at the present time, being investigated in the construction of an artificial tooth embodying the features of stress breaking. Dr. Parker has done much to open the way for treatment of the “dental cripple” and he is to be congratulated for his work. It is hoped that further reports will be published in the near future. JOSEPH B. BARRON, D.M.D.
788