In‑office technique to fabricate triple tray.

Dual arch impressions have been in use for many years. Five in‑office techniques for fabrication of the tray have been suggested, in case the manufactured (stock) tray is not available to the clinician. The design consists of two parts of the tray (the plastic frame and lattice). Five types of materials for the lattice have been described. The indications, advantages, and disadvantages of the techniques together with an appraisal of the five different lattice materials have been described. Overall the techniques are simple and require materials that are easily available. It does not take much time and can be used to attain efficient results in case the stock tray is not available in the operatory.

Fracture management of an edentulous mandible in a geriatric osteoporotic patient.

Fracture of an edentulous mandible is a difficult task primarily due to the absence of teeth. The management becomes even more difficult if the patient is geriatric and osteoporotic. A simple technique of using bite block splint, maxillomandibular fixation screws, and intermaxillary fixation has been presented to enable healing of fracture of mandible in such cases. The technique, which crosses the boundaries of conventional fracture management provides, promising results with minimum morbidity thus imparting optimum quality of life ahead for the patient.

An alternative adhesive based technique of raising the occlusal vertical dimension.

Purpose: Decimated dentitions may require raising the vertical dimension in some conditions while performing a full mouth rehabilitation treatment. Increase in a vertical dimension should be diagnosed by reversible methods prior to performing any irreversible methods for a minimum time period. Reversible methods like splints and overlay dentures are often used for this purpose. These methods however cannot be used in some conditions like in cases of brittle teeth. Method: An alternative technique based on adhesive technology has been described which is reversible and yet minimally traumatic to teeth. Conclusions: The technique has two basic aims. The first is to accurately implement the occlusal scheme as planned in the diagnostic wax‑up in the reversible method of altering the vertical dimension. The second aim is to increase the vertical dimension with minimal damage to the teeth.

Avenues for rehabilitation of auricular defects.

Irrespective of the cause, abnormalities in shape, size, and position of body organs are often perceived as looking wrong. This perception can subject the individual to significant peer ridicule and social ostracism. Rehabilitation of patients with auricular defects can either be done by reconstructive surgery or by prosthetic means. The article draws a comparison between the implant-supported prosthesis and reconstructive surgery, listing the benefits, limitations, indications and contraindications of both the techniques. As both the available techniques give excellent results in appropriately selected situations, the restorative team must present all the alternatives to the patient and choose judiciously the better of the two.

An electromyographic study to assess the minimal time duration for using the splint to raise the vertical dimension in patients with generalized attrition of teeth.

Background: To investigate the effect of restoration of lost vertical by centric stabilizing splint on electromyographic (EMG) activity of masseter and anterior temporalis muscles bilaterally in patients with generalized attrition of teeth. Materials and Methods: EMG activity of anterior temporalis and masseter muscle was recorded bilaterally for 10 patients whose vertical was restored with centric stabilizing splint. The recording was done at postural rest position and in maximum voluntary clenching for each subject before the start of treatment, immediately after placement of splint and at subsequent recall visits, with splint and without the splint. Results: The EMG activity at postural rest position (PRP) and maximum voluntary clench (MVC) decreased till 1 month for both the muscles. In the third month, an increase in muscle activity toward normalization was noted at PRP, both with and without splint. At MVC in the third month, the muscle activity without splint decreased significantly as compared to pretreatment values for anterior temporalis and masseter, while with the splint an increase was seen beyond the pretreatment values. Conclusion: A definite response of anterior temporalis and masseter muscle was observed over a period of 3 months. This is suggestive that the reversible increase in vertical prior to irreversible intervention must be carried out for a minimum of 3 months to achieve neuromuscular deprogramming. This allows the muscle to get adapted to the new postural position and attain stability in occlusion following splint therapy.

Implant-supported auricular prosthesis.

Differences in the balance of shape, size, and position of body organs are immediately perceived as "looking wrong" and this perception can subject the individual to significant peer ridicule and social ostracism, often expressing as intense shame and anguish in the attitude of the afflicted. Rehabilitation of such patients can be remarkably beneficial on the individual's self-esteem and body image. The onus of the deed lies in the hands of a team that combines artistic excellence with surgical expertise, by combining the skills of anaplastologists, surgeons, and prosthodontists. This is a review of a few surgical and prosthetic considerations in the management of auricular defect and a case description of management of a patient of microtia following similar guidelines in fabrication of the epithesis.