SECTION 18

INSTRUMENTS USED IN REMOVABLE AND FIXED PROSTHODONTICS

Prosthetic dentistry involves the ‘prosthetic’ or ‘false’ replacement of natural teeth. There are two divisions of prosthetic dentistry:

• Fixed prosthodontics: the prostheses cannot be removed by the patient, which includes crowns, bridges, implant restorations, veneers and inlays
• Removable prosthodontics: the prostheses can be removed by the patient, which includes full and partial dentures

Figure 18.1

Figure 18.2

Figure 18.3

FIGURE 18.1

Name

Fox’s occlusal plane guide

Functions and indications

• Used with edentulous patients
• Used during the jaw relationship stage of denture construction
• Used to check that the incisal line is in a horizontal plane and that the sides are parallel with a line joining the ala of the nose and the tragus of the ear (the ala-tragal line)
• Always used when the patient is sitting upright

FIGURE 18.2

Name

Willis bite gauge

Function

• Used to measure vertical dimension
• Used during patient assessment and the jaw relationship stage in denture construction

This is how the operator can tell if the edentulous patient’s mouth is over-closing or not closing enough during the stage of bite registration

FIGURE 18.3

Name

Paint scraper

Function

Used in conjunction with a heat source to soften and smooth wax rims while recording the patient’s occlusion during the jaw relationship stage of denture construction

Figure 18.4

Figure 18.5

Figure 18.6

FIGURE 18.4

Name

Le Cron carver

Function

Used for fine trimming of wax at various stages of denture construction

False friends

Hollenback 3½ carver, Wards carver, Mitchell trimmer

FIGURE 18.5a, b

Name

Wax knife

Function

For trimming wax during denture construction

FIGURE 18.6

Name

Red ribbon wax

Function

• Used during construction of dentures, crowns and bridges
• Can be used to extend the length or height of impression trays

Figure 18.7

Figure 18.8

Figure 18.9

FIGURE 18.7

Name

Bite registration paste

Function

Used in conjunction with wax rims to record a patient’s occlusal relationship

Varieties

Available in different types and thicknesses

FIGURE 18.8

Name

Modelling wax

Function and method of use

• Used to record a jaw relationship
• May be softened under warm water or used in conjunction with a heat source

Varieties

Available in different types and thicknesses

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