Border molding protocol for lower complete dentures: a case study

Abstract

Introduction Elderly patients who are indicated as complete denture wearers usually come to the doctor with a severe problem - atrophied alveolar ridge, which leads to disbalance during chewing, talking, creates discomfort even in laughing. The aim of the restorative dentistry specialist is to solve this problem, when there is not enough bone or because of patient's financial status. So that we have described our protocol for custom tray borders. Aim of the study The purpose of the study was to show off the main steps and anatomical structures, which demand doctor's attention by taking functional impressions for mandible removable complete dentures and to mention the tips which lead to success of the treatment. Material and methods 72 years old patient came to our clinic with highly atrophied mandible alveolar ridge with her prostheses that were 5 years old and has to be changed. After making radiographic and clinical evaluation, the implantation was declined. Subsequently, during the first visit we have rebased her old prostheses, after that have taken impressions for upper and lower jaws for primary casts. The technician made custom trays from acrylic resin by consulting about the borders with a doctor. The next visit a patient came for functional impressions. Before that, we had to make a border molding and the impression process takes time. The molding was made with an addition silicone. From the bottom of the custom tray 4 small putty silicone beads through the alveolar ridge were made as landmarks to know when to stop pushing custom tray to the alveolar ridge. Those beads are to maintain 0,5 mm space for impression material. After making landmarks, addition silicone was placed all around the borders of the tray and a patient had to perform functional movements, like pushing lips, lifting the tongue through the hard palate and to sides. After the impression material has set, we removed beads, put the tray into.