Over the years, delivering an implant supported overdenture carries a bit of apprehension on my end.
If I pick up the attachments chairside, will the denture be stuck in the mouth?
If I take an impression, will there be errors during the fabrication process that not all of the attachments will be engaged?
For me, I have done every method out there. Now I find that if I take a good impression and working with a good lab, I rarely have to pick up attachments chairside.
However, once the denture is processed, trying in the denture the first time always make me nervous. Is it going to seat? Can I remove it once fully inserted?
Now, I have modified my insertion protocol in a way that gives me less stress and a better experience for the patient.
And I am sharing it here and I hope some of you will find this information useful.
Step 1-Identify soft tissue interference
- Remove all nylon male from the housing
- The denture is very non retentive at this point.
- Use pressure indicating paste to identify soft tissue interference
Step 2-Adjust the soft tissue interference
- Use pressure indicating paste to identify soft tissue interference
- Adjust with an acrylic bur
Step 3-Put one nylon male one at a time and insert and remove denture from the mouth
- If there is still soft tissue interference, you can identify it and adjust it easily
- With one nylon male in place, this ensure you can still remove the denture without worrying that it will be stuck in the mouth
Step 4-Continue and repeat with the next nylon male
- Put another nylon male to the next housing
- Insert and remove from the mouth to ensure no soft tissue interference and that the denture can be removed again
Step 5-Continue until all the nylon males have been inserted
- Now you have a happy patient and predictable insertion protocol where you don’t have to sweat about it getting stuck or causing patient discomfort upon removal.
- Happy patient Happy dentist!
- Thanks for checking this out!
