An alginate pick-up alternative to the altered cast technique.

The altered cast technique for distal extension removable partial dentures involves such cumbersome laboratory procedures that many dentists avoid using it. This article presents a simple and easy clinical technique that accomplishes the same objective, but involves no additional laboratory work. In addition, the technique provides superior accuracy when compared with the altered cast technique.

A clinical technique for modification of dentures during the implant healing phase.

Merely relieving the tissue surface of an existing denture to be used during implant healing may cause loading of the fixtures during occlusal movements. Creating a window and filling it with soft-tissue conditioner can result in denture breakage. This paper presents a technique for the maintenance of hard denture base in the fixture area, which is completely out of contact with the healing caps, even during forceful seating.

Removable partial overdentures. Clinical considerations.

Removable partial overdentures have the potential for salvaging teeth with poor prognoses and using them for prosthesis support and retention. Careful case selection and creative treatment planning can lead to aesthetic, well-supported restorations for a variety of patients with compromised dentitions.

Strapless oral-nasal interface for positive-pressure ventilation.

A custom-fabricated strapless oral-nasal interface (SONI) is described. It was used in the long-term administration of intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (IPPV) by 18 patients with paralytic or restrictive pulmonary insufficiency. This interface is an acrylic shell which is firmly fixed to an orthodontic bite plate; it is designed to form a seal over the nose and mouth for the entry of IPPV. Eight patients were ventilator dependent 24 hours a day. The ten patients who required only nocturnal aid had improvement in daytime arterial blood gases. Although nine of these patients could manage less than 15 minutes of unassisted breathing (free time) supine, all slept supine on SONI IPPV. The 13 patients who underwent sleep monitoring maintained a mean oxygen saturation of 95.3% +/- 1.7% and acceptable end-tidal pCO2 (30 to 45 mmHg). These 13 patients have used SONI IPPV for an average of 22 months (range = 3 to 63 months). Impediments to successful long-term use of a SONI include the presence of a hyperactive gag reflex or stimulation of excessive oral secretions. When combined with mouth IPPV, glossopharyngeal breathing, the intermittent abdominal pressure ventilator, or the cuirass ventilator for daytime use, SONI IPPV is an option for the patient who prefers total ventilatory support by noninvasive means.

An overview of removable partial overdentures.

As an alternative to complete dentures, overdentures are well established as a sound therapeutic modality for patients with terminal dentition. By utilizing natural tooth roots and their periodontal structures to aid in support, overdentures maintain proprioceptive mediation and a mechanism for masticatory force vectors that favor bone retention over bond resorption. The degree of stability enhancement and denture retention from retained roots varies with the design and environment of the prosthesis. This article reviews various aspects of removable partial over-denture use.

Overdentures for the irradiated patient.

A rationale that stresses the biologic and mechanical advantages of overdenture therapy for the irradiated patient has been presented.