Hollow Maxillary Complete Denture

Abstract

Residual ridge resorption is the reduction in size of the bony ridge under the mucoperiosteum. The resorption occurs at a faster rate in mandibular arch as compared to the maxillary arch; but severely atrophic maxillae with large interridge distance often pose a clinical challenge during fabrication of a successful maxillary complete denture. This clinical report describes a simple technique of fabricating a hollow maxillary complete denture in a patient with resorbed maxillary and mandibular ridges with increased interridge distance which reduces the weight of the prosthesis and thereby enhances the retention.

The Hollow Maxillary Complete Denture: A Simple, Precise, Single‐Flask Technique Using a Caramel Spacer

“…In other methods auto‐ or heat‐polymerizing resins have been used to join the two parts of the prosthesis that have been fabricated separately. In these techniques, the junction becomes a weak site and is prone to fracture and may undergo discoloration with time.…”

“…If the usual techniques of denture fabrication are followed in such cases, it may result in a heavy prosthesis, which compounds the problem associated with retention and resistance of the maxillary prosthesis . Methods used in the past to improve the retention and stability of heavy complete dentures include the use of implants, the use of magnets, modified impression techniques, intramucosal inserts, suction disks, and lightweight dentures …”

“…The single‐flask technique includes a process where the prosthesis is fabricated as one unit and involves the use of only one polymerization flask . The double‐flask technique involves the use of two flasks, and the prosthesis is processed in two halves (intaglio surface in one half and polished and occlusal surfaces in the other), which are later united using self‐ or heat‐cured acrylic resin …”

“…2 Methods used in the past to improve the retention and stability of heavy complete dentures include the use of implants, 3 the use of magnets, 4 modified impression techniques, 5 intramucosal inserts, 6 suction disks, 7 and lightweight dentures. 2,[8][9][10] A lightweight prosthesis needs a hollow cavity within its body. Numerous 3D spacers have been used to achieve this hollow cavity.…”

“…18 Two techniques exist in the literature to achieve a hollow prosthesis. Some techniques use one flask 16 to fabricate the whole prosthesis, and other techniques use two flasks 8,9,15 and fabricate the prosthesis in two separate halves. The single-flask technique includes a process where the prosthesis is fabricated as one unit and involves the use of only one polymerization flask.…”