Clinical success in immediate complete dentures: an alternative approach

  • M. Pompignoli,
  • M. Postaire &
  • D. Raux
UK: Quintessence price £48.00; pp 92 ISBN 9782912550576 | ISBN: 978-2-9125-5057-6

This is a well illustrated book that provides a detailed step by step explanation of the clinical and laboratory aspects used in the provision of an immediate complete denture. It starts by describing the alternative denture options for a patient that requires extractions, a provisional or an immediate denture. It explains that both dentures are made after the extraction of teeth but an immediate denture may be superior as they aim to replace the patients lost teeth as effectively as possible by taking into consideration the biological and physiological factors necessary for an integrated prosthesis. It is common for a patient to find it difficult to adapt to wearing a denture and losing teeth is difficult both from a psychological and a functional point of view. This book highlights the advantage of this particular method of fabrication of an immediate complete denture in easing the transition to denture wearing.

There are some useful tips describing impression taking and jaw registration which aim to record most accurately the maxillary mandibular relationship. It describes the use of two putty indices, an anterior labial index and an anterior bite index. These are used to record the current position of the remaining dentition. It can then be decided if this is to be reproduced in the denture or if teeth have drifted, proclinced, extruded and they are to be restored to the original position. Some of the techniques described are core knowledge which may be of benefit to a student dentist or technician but the additional procedures explained may be of benefit to a more experienced clinician.

One marked difference with this technique of denture construction is at the fit stage. At this point a clear acrylic surgical stent is made which is used once a mucoperiosteal flap has been raised as a guide to identify pressure points where selective bone is removed. The authors claim that this technique aids the seating of the denture and occlusal equilibration. Such elective bone removal does seem unusual as we now aim to preserve as much bone as possible in particular if future implant placement is required. When using this technique great care must be taken not to remove excessive amounts of bone.