Modified soft tissue cast for fixed partial denture: a technique

In process of fabrication of a fixed partial denture, dies are trimmed to expose margins of the preparations. The need for the soft tissue cast is quite evident as the soft tissue emergence profile that surrounds the prepared tooth is destroyed in the process of fabrication. This article describes a modified technique to fabricate the soft tissue cast for the conventional fixed partial denture. The impression made with the polyvinylsiloxane was first poured to prepare the die cast. After retrieval of the cast, the same impression was poured second time with the resin based resilient material to cover the facial and proximal gingival areas. The remaining portion of the impression was poured with the gypsum material. This technique does not require additional clinical appointment, second impression procedure, technique sensitive manipulations with impression, or cumbersome laboratory procedures. The simplicity of this technique facilitates and justifies its routine use in fabrication of the fixed partial denture.

A comparative evaluation of fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth restored with different post core systems: an in-vitro study

PURPOSE: To compare the fracture resistance and the mode of failure of endodontically treated teeth restored with different post-core systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Root canal treatment was performed on 40 maxillary incisors and the samples were divided into four groups of 10 each. For three experimental groups post space preparation was done and teeth were restored with cast post-core (Group B), stainless steel post with composite core (Group C) and glass fiber post with composite core using adhesive resin cement (Group D). Control group (A) samples were selected with intact coronal structure. All the samples were prepared for ideal abutment preparation. All the samples were subjected to a load of 0.5 mm/min at 130degrees until fracture occurred using the universal testing machine. The fracture resistance was measured and the data were analyzed statistically. The fracture above the embedded resin was considered to be favorable and the fracture below the level was considered as unfavorable. The statistical analysis of fracture resistance between different groups was carried out with t-test. For the mode of failure the statistical analysis was carried out by Kruskal-Wallis test and Chi-Square test. RESULTS: For experimental group Vs control group the fracture resistance values showed significant differences (P<.05). For the mode of failure the chi-square value is 16.1610, which means highly significant (P=.0009) statistically. CONCLUSION: Endodontically treated teeth without post core system showed the least fracture resistance demonstrating the need to reinforce the tooth. Stainless steel post with composite core showed the highest fracture resistance among all the experimental groups. Teeth restored with the Glass fiber post showed the most favorable fractures making them more amenable to the re-treatment.

A simple technique to fabricate a surgical obturator restoring the defect in original anatomical form

Oral cancer treatment involves the surgical removal of all or part of the maxilla, leaving the patient with a defect that compromises the integrity and function of the oral cavity. The postoperative restoration of esthetics, deglutition, and speech shortens recovery time in the hospital and expedites the patient's return to the community as a functioning member. The surgical obturator is the proven treatment option in such situations. This article describes a simple technique to fabricate a surgical obturator that restores patient's original dentition and facial and palatal tissue form. The obturator fabricated with this technique utilizes the vacuum formed index of patient's original tissue form and duplicated partly in heat and partly in auto polymerizing acrylic resin. Duplication of the original tissue form helps patient to minimize the immense physiological trauma immediately after the surgical resection. The obturator fabricated with this technique supports soft tissues after surgery and minimizes scar contracture and disfigurement, and thus may have a positive effect on the patients' psychology.

Modified technique to fabricate a hollow light-weight facial prosthesis for lateral midfacial defect: a clinical report

Large oro-facial defects result from cancer treatment consequences in serious functional as well as cosmetic deformities. Acceptable cosmetic results usually can be obtained with a facial prosthesis. However, retention of a large facial prosthesis can be challenging because of its size and weight. This article describes prosthetic rehabilitation of a 57-year-old man having a right lateral mid-facial defect with intraoral-extraoral combination prosthesis. A modified technique to fabricate a hollow substructure in heat-polymerizing polymethyl-methacrylate to support silicone facial prosthesis was illustrated. The resultant facial prosthesis was structurally durable and light in weight facilitating the retention with magnets satisfactorily. This technique is advantageous as there is no need to fabricate the whole prosthesis again in case of damage of the silicone layer because the outer silicone layer can be removed and re-packed on the substructure if the gypsum-mold is preserved.