Tea Cup Duplicate Denture

Many times, a restorative dentist will prescribe a duplicate of the patient's denture to be used as a surgical guidestent. This guides tent dictates the maximum facial position for the fixtures, while allowing the surgeon lateral and lingual freedom of placement and angulation. The authors have found the following technique to be quick and less expensive than fabricating a new denture.

The basic materials needed include: large cup which has been lubricated, alginate impression material, spatula, bowl, and the patient's denture.

The denture has wide wax extensions added to both distal heels.

Alginate is mixed and carefully adapted to capture the fine details of the denture.

The denture is submerged in the cup of wet alginate until only the wax extensions are visible.

When the alginate is set, it is indexed for accurate replacement.

The entire impression is removed from the cup.

Using a razor knife, the alginate is carefully cut in half down to the denture.

The denture with wax extensions is removed and the impression is inspected for accuracy.

The two halves are reassembled and placed back in the cup, using the index.

Clear orthodontic resin (LD. Caulk) is mixed according to recommended powder and liquid ratios.

Resin is poured down one side of the impression until it rises up through the other opening.

A vibrator is used to increase the flow of the material and reduce air bubbles.

This shows the newly processed, unfinished, clear duplicate denture.

The duplicate denture is finished to correct border length and hollowed from the left second bicuspid around the anterior section to the right second bicuspid, leaving the buccaVlabial aspect of the teeth intact. The section that is removed is determined by the position of the mental foramina. An 18 gauge stainless steel wire is added to the anterior section for strength.