ADDITIONS
This section deals mainly with acrylic dentures as there can be problems adding to cobalt-chrome dentures. The patient should be warned that they would be without their denture for a couple of days. An alginate impression is taken with the denture in place so that the dentures relation to the other oral tissues are recorded. An opposing impression is taken in alginate so the occlusion can be checked once the tooth or clasp has been added. The impressions are then sent to the laboratory where they are cast in plaster and the addition is carried out.
REPAIRS
Repairs may be direct (chairside repair) or indirect (lab). The indirect method is discussed below. The first decision when a patient presents with a fractured denture is whether it can be repaired or it would be better to construct a new denture. If it is decided to repair the patient should be warned that they would be with out their denture for a day or two. The pieces of the dentures need to be temporarily located in their original positions, by sticky wax or a piece of wire tacked to the denture by composite.
Once this has been done the denture is inserted in the mouth and checked to make sure it is in its original position and is acceptable to the patient. An alginate impression is then taken of the denture in situ, an opposing impression is then taken in alginate. These impressions and denture are then sent to the lab for repair. Any inaccuracy in the impression or fixing the denture fragments together will result in an ill-fitting denture on return from the lab.
If there is a denture on the opposing arch it is important to take an impression of this denture in situ, so the occlusion can be checked properly. Once the impression has been taken in alginate the denture should be carefully removed and returned to the patient. This applies to repairs and additions.
