The seminar covers essential procedures in denture fabrication, focusing on retrieving dentures, correcting occlusal discrepancies, and finishing and polishing techniques. It emphasizes that proper clinical and laboratory processes are key to achieving a successful and comfortable denture, and highlights the potential issues during the final stages such as breakage and dimensional changes. The document also reviews literature and defines important terms related to denture processing and corrections.

1. SEMINAR ON
RETRIEVEL OF DENTURE, CORRECTION OF OCCLUSAL
DISCREPANCIES,FINISHING AND POLISHING PROCEDURES.
CONTENTS
 Introduction
 Review of Literature
 Definitions
 Deflasking procedure
 Problems cause during Deflasking
 Causes for dimensional changes in complete denture during processing
 Lab remounting procedure
 Correction of Occlusal discrepancies by selective grinding
 Advantages of selecting grinding
 Removal of denture from cast
 Finishing of complete denture
 Polishing of complete denture
 Summary & conclusion
 References.

2. INTRODUCTION
Successful fabrication of complete dentures requires a combination of sound
clinical as well as laboratory procedures. Clinical procedures however accurate are not of
much use if the laboratory procedures are not properly carried out from the pouring of
casts to retrieval of denture & finishing & Polishing of dentures all go a long way in the
success of the prosthesis.
Carelessness in the final stages of denture fabrication such as during retrieval of
dentures from the flasks, failure to correct the Occlusal discrepancies induced as a result
of processing & inadequate finishing & polishing will result in dentures which are far
below the result that could have been achieved if a little more time & efforts would have
been invested in the final stages. This seminar deals with these steps in the making of a
denture which are generally given least importance but if properly done, greatly enhance
the comfort function & esthetics of the final prosthesis.
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3. Review of the Literature:
1. Nikazad s Javing 1973 : Described a method the top half of molds for
processing dentures were made in the top half of the flask. This technique
speeds up the removal of processed dentures from their molds and reduces the
possibility of fracturing either the denture base or the teeth.
2. Majid Bissasu 1998 : Described a easy procedure to facilitate the removal of
the palatal and lingual portions of flasking stone. So it reduces the hazards of
denture base fracture or deformation during Deflasking of the processed
denture. Advantage of this procedure is it reduces the flasking and Deflasking
time.
3. Than-E-Holf 1977 : Conducted a study that incited that numerous benefits
from remounting dentures to correct occlusion and recon touring the tissue
side of the bases at the time of insertion. He showed that post insertion
complaints were decreased by remounting procedures.
4. Garrent D Barrett 1985 : Described a reprocible split cast technique for
accurate demounting and remounting of a Pre – or post processing complete
denture master cast without stress or fracture.
5. Sigmund 1953 : Conducted a study on investing changes during flasking may
lead to malocclusion in complete duve. There is sufficient evidence to
indicate that there is some shifting of the teeth during the investing procedure
& described methods to reduce this shifting.
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4. 6. Robert C. Wesley 1973 : Conducted study in 50 patient regarding posterior
tooth contact and pin opening during processing changes in complete denture
it was found that there was a definite shift of the tooth contacts to the more
posterior teeth after processing but that the amount of pin opening did not
seems to be related to the number of location of the tooth contacts.
7. William A walker, Donal C Kramer and Rager Marcev 1978 : Described a
detailed step – by – step procedure for finishing and polishing denture based
produce highly polished surfaces free from all imperfection.
8. Mutahhar Ulusay, Nuron Ulusoy, Keveser Aydin 1986 : Evaluated polishing
techniques of surface roughness of acrylic resin. 9 methods of grinding &
polishing heat cute resins were evaluated. They found that the best surface
finish was obtained when abrasive stones coarse medium fine abrasive discs
rotating felt come and rotating soft brush C chalk powder were used
progressively.
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5. Definitions:
Definition for Deflasking:
Definition of Remounting:
Any method used to relate restorations to an articulator for analysis and for to assist in
development of a plane for occlusal equilibration or reshaping.
Definition of Selective Grinding:
The intentional alteration of the occlusal surfaces of teeth to change their form .
Definition of finishing:
It is process to put a final coat or surface on, the retirement of form prior to polishing.
Definition of Polishing:
The act of process of making a denture or casting smooth and glossy.
Deflasking: When Deflasking complete dentures it is best to use a Deflasker which
allows retrieval from the flask without damage to the dentures or flask. Deflasking with a
hammer can damage. The flask and results in unnecessary breakage of the dentures.
Procedures for Deflasking of complete denture :
1. Remove the Lid from the flask containing the bench cooled denture.
2. Place the flask bottom side up in the Deflasker and tighten the thumb screw until
it contacts the bottom plate.
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6. 3. Place the pry bars through the slots in the side of the Deflasker and engage. The
slots in the flask between both halves of the flask.
4. Press down on the engaged pry bars first and then pry up these movements readily
separate the flask from the stone enclosed denture.
5. Place a Knife-blade in contact with the junction between the stone cap and the rest
of the stone enclosing the denture. Tap the back of the knife blade with a plastic
mallet to separate the stone cap and to expose the cusp tips and incisal edges of
the denture teeth.
6. Use care in separating the stone cap from dentures with acrylic teeth.
7. With a saw and a spiral blade, cut through the stone that encloses. The denture
opposite the central incisor teeth take care to avoiding sawing into teeth or
denture blast.
8. Place more saw cuts at the distobuccal corners of the flasked denture. So that the
stone enclosing the denture has three cuts.
9. Place a knife in the anterior saw cut and pry gently to separate the stone from the
buccal and anterior flanges of the denture.
10. Place a knife in the posterior cut, and pry laterally to separate any posterior
section of stone may have adhered to the buccal flange of the denture.
11. Remove stone from the palate or tongue area of the mandibular dentures by first
relieving the stone adjacent to lingual surfaces of the denture teeth with a knife
take care to avoid cutting teeth or denture base.
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7. 12. After reliving the stone adjacent to the lingual surfaces of the denture teeth, gently
pry the stone in the lingual area of the denture or the palate of the maxillary
denture, and lift it away from the denture.
13. Make more cuts lingual to the heel area of the mandibular dentures if necessary.
14. Remove the denture from the investing stone except where it encloses the cast.
15. Protect the teeth with the hand and with a plastic mallet carefully tap away the
stone enclosing the cast. Exercise care to avoid damaging the teeth by striking
them with the mallet.
16. Use a tooth brush to clean out the index groove on the base of the cast. This
cleansing makes if possible to position the cast accurately on the mounting stone
for correction.
17. After retrieval from the stone the dentures are ready for remounting on the
articulator.
Problems that occur during Deflasking are
1. Breaking of the denture
2. Breaking of the cast
3. Breaking of the both cast and denture.
4. Denture base or denture teeth broken during Deflasking as result of using a
hammer to tap stone from the flask.
Attention to the details of flasking to eliminate under cuts, proper use of tinfoil
substitute, and careful Deflasking procedures minimize breakage of dentures and
facilitate raid retrieval.
Causes for dimensional change in denture during processing.
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8. 1. Polymerization shrinkage.
2. Processing stresses.
3. Incorrect registration of centric occlusion.
4. Irregularities in setting teeth.
5. Tooth movement when flasking and packing.
6. Incomplete flask closure.
7. Wear in moving parts of articulators.
Polymerization shrinkage: When methyl methacrylate monomer is polymerized to form
poly (Methyl Metharcylate), the density of the mass changes from 0.94 to 1.19 g/cm.
This change in density results in volumetric shrinkage of 21%. When a conventional heat
activated resin is mixed at the suggested powder Liquid ratio, about one third of resultant
mass is liquid. Consequently the volumetric shrinkage exhibited by the polymerized mass
should be approximately 7%. In addition to volumetric shrinkage, one also must consider
the effect of linear shrinkage. Linear shrinkage exerts significant effects on denture base
adaptation and cuspal interdigitation. By convention, linear shrinkage values are
determined by measuring the distance between two predetermined reference points, in the
second molar region of a completed tooth arrangement. After polymerization of the
denture base resin and removal of prosthesis from the master cast the distance between
prepolymerization and post polymerization measurements is recorded as linear shrinkage
the greater the linear shrinkage the greater the discrepancy observed in the initial fit of a
denture. Based on a projected volumetric shrinkage of 7%, an acrylic resin denture base
should exhibit a linear shrinkage of approximately 2%. In reality linear shrinkage
generally is observed to be less than 1%.
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9. Examination of the polymerization process indicates that thermal shrinkage of
resin is primarily responsible for the linear shrinkage phenomenon in heat activated
systems. During initial stages of cooling process the resin remain relatively soft.
Therefore the pressure maintained on the flask assembly causes the resin to contract at
approximately the same rate as the surrounding dental stone.
As cooling proceeds, the soft resin approaches its glass transition temperature
(Tg). The Tg lies with in a thermal range in which the polymerized resin passes from a
soft, rubbery state to a rigid, glassy state. Hence, cooling the denture base resin beyond
the Tg. Yields, a rigid mass. In turn this rigid mass contracts at a rate different from the
surrounding dental stone. The shrinkage occurring below Tg is thermal in nature and
varies according to the composition the resin.
To illustrate the effect of thermal shrinkage, consider the following example. The
Tg for poly (Methylmethacrylate) is approximately 1050
C room temperature is 200
C. The
generally accepted value for linear co-efficient of thermal expansion for poly (methyl
methacrylate) is 81 x 10-6
per degrees centigrade therefore as the denture base resin is
cooled from the Tg. To room temperature it undergoes linear shrinkage that may be
expressed as.
L T = (81 x 10-6
/0
C) (1050
C - 200
C) (100%) = 0.69%
2. Processing Stresses : When ever a natural dimensional change is inhibited, the affected
material contains stresses. If stresses are relaxed, a resultant distortion or warpage of the
material may occur. This principal has important reminification in the fabrication of
denture bases, because stresses invariably are induced during processing.
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10. Stress also are produced as the result of thermal shrinkage as a polymerized resin
is cooled below its Tg. The resin becomes relatively rigid. Further cooling yields thermal
shrinkage. A denture base resin generally is encased in a rigid investing medium, such as
dental stone, during this process. Because denture base resins and dental stones contract
at markedly different rates, a contraction differential is established. Hence a disparity in
contraction rates also yields stresses with in the resin. Additional factors that may
contribute to processing stresses with in resin. Additional factors that may contribute to
processing stresses include improper mixing and handling of the resin and poorly
controlled heating and cooling of the flask assembly.
The release of stresses yields dimensional changes that a cumulative in nature.
Fortunately, these dimensional changes are quite small total dimensional changes
occurring as a result of processing and service are in the range of 0.1 to 0.2 mm (as
measured from Second molar to Second molar). Therefore it is doubtful such changes
would be clinically significant and they detectable by patient.
3. Incorrect Registration of Centric occlusion: This is probably the most common cause
of error in the occlusion of finished dentures when registering the position of centric
occlusion considerable care is taken to obtain a correct vertical dimension and
physiological fully retruded position of the mandible, but often the record rims when
brought together exert uneven pressure on their respective supporting alveolar ridges.
This is due to premature contacts of the record rims on side of the mouth in Second molar
region. This causes uneven compression of mucosa supporting the record blocks and
often displaces them from ridges.
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11. Another fault causing errors in the occlusion of the finished dentures results from
slight movement of record blocks on the ridges during centric registration due to their
imperfect fit and inadequate retention.
Another error of occlusion may result from the manner in which the models and
record blocks are set in the articulator. The models may not be placed accurately in the
blocks or the articulator may not handled with due care when the models are being
attached with plaster.
4. Irregularities in setting the teeth :
The technician when setting up teeth is unlikely to produce a perfectly even contact in
centric and lateral occlusions. Some teeth will be in good occlusion whilst others will be
slightly out of occlusion, thus producing areas of heavy pressure. In waxing up following
the setting of teeth it is possible for them to more slightly due to the contraction of the
wax on cooling, causing irregularities in the articulation and occlusion of complete
dentures.
5. Tooth movement when flasking and packing :
Movement of the teeth may occur at the time of boiling out the wax trial base after the
dentures have been flasked and it such teeth are not correctly repositioned they will cause
minor Occlusal irregularities. Also, when packing, teeth may be driven into the
enveloping plaster, particularly when packing follows soon after investing and the plaster
is in the ‘green state’. The possibility of such an error occurring is increased when the
methyl methacrylate is used in a slightly advanced stage of dough, and when the posterior
teeth have been ground to fit close to the ridge. Rapid closure of the flask in the piets
will add to the hazard.
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12. 6. Incomplete flask closure :
This causes not only, an increase of vertical dimension but also results in an upset of
balanced occlusion.
7. Articulator wear :
All articulators are subject to wear and the older and more worn the articulator the greater
will be the errors in occlusion and articulation. Every piece of mechanical apparatus
exhibits some play in its moving parts and when this becomes easily detectable the
bearing should be replaced.
Split-cast procedure for remounting the complete denture master cast
Accurate remounting of the detached complete denture master cast to its mounted
articulated base is essential to maintain the original articulated interarch and occlusal
relationship. Inaccurate remounting will result in occlusal discrepancies. In this
technique describes a reproducible split-cast technique for accurate demounting and
remounting of a pre-or past processing complete denture master cast without unwarranted
stress or fracture.
Technique:
1. Require the master cast from the boxed final impression boxing will preserve the
appropriate morphologic border contours and master cast base thickness.
2. Finish the base of master cast with a fine model trimmer wheel.
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13. 3. Cut two posterior and one anterior index grooves into the master cast base. After
refinement apply a thin coating of petroleum Jelly to each index groove with a
cotton pellet. It is not necessary to lubricate the entire base.
4. Using Jaw relation records, mount the moist master cast in the articulator using
fast setting plaster. When the plaster sets, smooth and refine the mounted master
cast an articulated base so that a crisp demarcation interface exists between the
cast and plaster base.
5. Remove the master cast and its articulated base from the articulator. Fill a
standard mixing bow 1 with near boiling water (minimum temperature of 1800
F)
to a level approximately 1 inch greater than the height of the articulated base.
6. Place the articulated base with the mounted master cast into the hot water and
adjust the water level to a point 2 to 4 mm above the interface. Leave the
mounted master cast in water for 10 seconds or until the cast and base separate.
The sudden temperature change and expansion of the base plaster causes
separation. Do not completely immerse the mounted master cast.
7. When remounting the cast wet the entire articulated plaster base and only the base
portion of the master cast. Fit the plaster base and base portion of master cast
together, and allow them to dry. A perfect readaptation of the master cast and
articulated base will result.
8. Cut parallel horizontal grooves on the lateral surface to secure the master cast to
the articulated base. After the surfaces are moistened, apply a thin mix of plaster
into grooves and extended over both the cast and base. Smooth and position the
remounted cast and its base on the articulator.
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14. Procedure :
1. After remounting the dentures in the articulator check the relationship of the
incisal guide pin to the incisal guide table. After the incisal guide pin does not
contact the incisal guide table because of changes during processing a processing
error of 1 mm though not insignificant, is correctable. However, an error of more
than 1 mm which often requires considerable reduction on the Occlusal surfaces
of the denture teeth to regain the vertical dimension of occlusion is undesirable.
2. Check contacts between the heel of mandibular dentures and the tuberosity region
of maxillary dentures to make certain that the increase in vertical dimension is not
result of an overly thick denture base resin in these areas.
3. Place articulating paper between the teeth and gently tap the articulator together to
indicate defective occlusal contacts.
4. Adjust these contacts with a stone bur, if the teeth are porcelain or if the teeth are
resin, continue to adjust the occlusion in the centric relation position and in the
eccentric positions, according to the rules of selective grinding. Do not adjust the
cusps in centric relation position unless they are high not only in the centric
relation position, but also in the right-and left lateral and protrusive positions.
Generally, reduction results in grinding of the fossae rather than the cusp tips.
When adjusting the working position, adjust the buccal cusps of the upper teeth
and the lingual cusps of the mandibular teeth to eliminate defective contacts. On
the non working, or balancing side defective contacts are usually on centric
holding cusps and grinding requires a compromise we prefer to grind the inclines
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15. of the maxillary lingual cusps rather than the buccal cusps of the mandibular
dentures.
5. Move the articulators into a working position and examine the relationship of the
working cusps, mark the defective contacts with articulating paper and examine
the resulting pattern. Eliminate defective contacts on porcelain teeth by adjusting
the buccal cusps of the maxillary lingual teeth and the lingual cusps of the
mandibular teeth with a stone.
6. Examine the balancing contacts in a similar manner and adjust the lingual cusps
of the maxillary teeth or the buccal cusps of the mandibular teeth to corrective
defective contacts.
7. After completing the selective grinding, move the articulator into the various
positions, and check the occlusion into the various positions, with tissue paper
strips. Now the incisal guide pin should contact the incisal guide table and there
by indicate reestablishment of the original vertical dimension of occlusion. Do
not complete definitive polishing of the Occlusal surfaces of the teeth at this time
because the dentist usually remounts the dentures on the day of insertion.
8. Recheck the occlusion on the articulator in the centric relation position using
articulator paper, and evaluate the pattern of contacts. Equalize the contacts on
the right and left sides to assure a uniform distribution.
Correction of Occlusal discrepancies by selective grinding:
In order to produce a satisfactory result it is important to carry out the selective
grinding systematically to ensure that.
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16. 1. Vertical dimension is maintained.
2. An even distribution of occlusal stress is obtained in centric occlusion.
3. An even distribution of stress is maintained in lateral positions.
The vertical dimension is controlled by the lower buccal cusps and the upper
palatal cusps and their opposing fossae there fore it is essential that these zones must
receive careful consideration when establishing centric and lateral occlusion.
Grinding into centric occlusion:
Place thin blue articulating paper on the Occlusal of the lower teeth and close the
articulator for with sufficient pressure to record just the first contact areas. Observe the
prominent cusp or cusps and decide whether the cusp or its opposing fossa should be
ground by checking this cusp in its lateral working position and then its balancing
position. If the offending cusp makes premature contact in both centric and lateral
working positions then the cusp and not the fossa should be ground to produce even
centric occlusion. When, however, a cusp producing premature contact in the centric
position does not cause premature contact when in working and balancing positions then
the fossa is ground to accommodate the cusp. (The lateral contacts can be marked with
red articulating paper for purposes of differentiate on this principle is followed until an
even centric occlusion is obtained through out the dentition.
Grinding in for Lateral excursions:
To enhance the retention and stability of the dentures and to reduce the stress applied to
the Alveolar ridges of the mandible moves laterally, it is most important to provide a free
sliding lateral articulation and elimination of cusp lock.
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17. Red articulating paper is placed between the occlusal surface of the teeth and the
dentures moved with light pressure from centric occlusion into right lateral occlusion. If
the upper and lower buccal cusps make premature contact and balancing side is out of
occlusion then the upper buccal cusp is ground as the lower buccal cusp is required to
maintain vertical dimension and even pressure in centric occlusion when the lower
lingual and upper palatal cusps occlude prematurely in this lateral position the lower
lingual cusp is ground to produce balance of both sides of the denture. The upper palatal
cusp is required for the maintenance of vertical dimension in centric occlusion. The
grinding of the buccal upper and lingual lower cusps to produce balance in lateral
movements is often referred to as grinding to the “Bull” rule.
Should the balancing side exhibit premature occlusion between the lower buccal
cusp and the palatal upper cusp it will be necessary to grind the palatal upper cusp and
not the lower buccal cusp since this cups is required to maintain vertical dimension and
even pressure is centric occlusion and contact in the working lateral position.
The procedure having been completed for the right lateral position it is then
repeated for the left lateral excursion having established a free lateral sliding movement
of the occlusion of the protrusive contacts is studied.
Correction of contacts in protrusion:
As we are dealing with an artificial dentition, and are not concerned with the possible
over eruption of teeth as may occur with a natural dentition. Most of the grinding for
correction of premature contacts of incisal edges of anterior teeth, when in protrusive
occlusion, can be carried out at the expense of the lower incisors. A limited amount of
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18. grinding lower of the upper anterior teeth to simulate attrition, related to the patient’s age,
can enhance the appearance of the dentures.
Perfecting Articulation with Grinding-in paste:
The main correction of occlusal irregularities must be carried out with small mounted
abrasive stones in a hand-piece so that the vertical dimension is kept under control. The
amount of adjustment made with grinding-in paste must be small as this will reduce all
occluding surfaces and if excessive will result in loss of vertical dimension. A paste of
course grit carborundum powder mixed one with Vaseline or tooth paste is used first.
Followed by one of fine grit carborundum to smooth the previously ground tooth surfaces
and produce a perfectly even occlusion.
Reduction of sharp edges of Ground teeth:
On completion of all grinding, sharp edges present buccally and lingually must be
rounded to prevent tongue and cheek irritation rubber wheels, water of Air stone, and
finally pumice paste used with polishing brushes will produce a smooth finish.
Advantages of Remounting and Selective grinding:
The Patient remount method is to remount the dentures on articulators.
1. It reduces patient participation.
2. It permits the dentist to see better what he is doing.
3. It provides a stable working foundation; bases are not shifting on resilient tissues.
4. The absence of salvia makes possible more accurate markings the articulating
paper or tape.
5. Corrections can be made away from the patient, thus preventing occasional
objections when patients see their dentures being ground.
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19. Removing Dentures from Cast:
After correction of processing error and construction of a face-bow index if requires, the
dentures are ready for removal from the cast and finishing and polishing.
Procedure for removing dentures from cast:
1. Using a cast trimmer, thin the casts with the dentures seated on them, but avoid
trimming the denture base.
2. Remove the stone from the denture in small sections. Use a bur or a saw
judiciously in removing the stone in sections without damaging the dentures.
3. A shell blaster also is useful in removing stone from the interior of the denture.
4. A pneumatic chisel aids in removing stone from the denture however, Great care
is essential to prevent damage to the denture. Particularly to the denture teeth.
Do not attempt to pry the denture from the cast because it can result in fracturing
the denture. After removal from the cast, the dentures are ready for finishing and
polishing.
Various abrasives that are used for finishing and polishing Procedures of Complete
denture
Abrasives are rough gritty and wear producing particles .abrasive is a substance which is
used to remove excess material by cutting. Substance used to grind objects in order to
give them desired size, shape or finish.
Pumice: A substance of volcanic origin consisting chiefly of complex silicates of
aluminum, potassium and sodium occurring as a very light, hard, porous grayish powder.
It is used as a polishing agent. The effect will be depending on particle size. It is used
for smoothening of denture base and polishing teeth in mouth.
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20. Chalk: Chalk is calcium carbonate prepared by a precipitation method. There are various
grades of physical forms of calcium carbonate available for different polishing technique.
It is used for polishing denture base.
Sand: Sand particles consist of small grains of Silica (SiO2) it is formed by the
decomposition of sand stones due to various effect of weather.
Types are: Pit Sand, River Sand, Sea Sand.
Sand should contain sharp, angular and durable grains. It is used in the form of sand
paper.
Finishing & Polishing instrument.
1. Finishing burs: It should at least 12 fluted, however some of them are 40 fluted.
They may be made up of stainless steel or tungsten carbide. They wont cut the
restorative materials, but only removes excesses creating a smoother surface.
2. Paper carried abrasives: These are usually sand cuttle garnet or baron carbide.
Guide to paper disc or strips the paper disc should be attached to mandrel.
3. Brushes: They will be available in different forms like wheels, cylinders, cones.
4. Rubber: Plain rubber ended rotary tools are essential for any polishing procedures.
They will be available in different shape. E.g.: Cups, Wheel, cones.
5. Cloth: Cloth carried on a metal wheel is used in final stages of polishing, either
with or without a polishing medium.
6. Felt: Different shape of felt is wheel, cone and cylinders usually with polishing
agents.
Polishing the Complete Denture:
Two methods of polishing complete dentures will be presented.
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21. Method used for Polishing of the Complete Denture.
1. After taking the complete denture from the cast use a shell blaster to remove any
stone that adheres to the denture take care to avoid burning the surface of the
acrylic resin shell blasting.
2. Trim the flash from the complete denture with an arbor band or a large bur
mounted on a laboratory lathe.
3. Finish the frenum attachments with a small carbide bur to create the desired
freedom.
4. With a chisel carefully remove stone adhering to the gingival margins. Make a
chisel by grinding a broken Instrument to form sharp triangular edges which
facilitate the removal of stone from the gingival margin.
5. Check the interior of the denture carefully with a finger. Locate any modules of
acrylic resin and remove them with a round bur.
6. Complete the relief for the frenum attachment by using No. 558 or a No. 771 bur
to do the final finishing and to open the frenum attachment.
7. Finish the lingual border area of the mandibular complete denture with a hand
piece-mounted small carbide bur. Frequently a standard size arbor band is too
large for this area.
8. Thin the palate if necessary take care to avoid producing grooves when using an
arbor band. A large lathe-mounted Laboratory bur also is useful for these
procedures.
9. Pumice the dentures with a prepared rag wheel.
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22. Preparing rag wheel: Special preparation of a rag wheel makes it more effective for
pumicing and polishing. The procedure described also conditions used rag wheels by
giving them the flexibility and flutiness necessary to achieve a smooth finish.
Procedure:
1. Place the rag wheel on a spiral chuck, run the lathe at low speed, and use a knife
to cut the threads holding the rag wheel plies together. Hold the knife firmly
while cutting the threads.
2. Stop the lathe, separate the plies of the rag wheel and make certain to cut the
thread completely.
3. With the rag wheel on the spiral cheek rotate the lathe low speed and hold a
stainless steel plaster spatula against the rag wheel to remove the cut threads and
make the wheel fluffy.
4. Single the strayed threads with a lighted match to make the wheel uniform. Place
a metal pan beneath the wheel, and have the lathe and any suction device in the
non operating position. Have a bowl of water available to douse the wheel if it
flares.
5. After placing the rag wheel in water, return it to the lathe and start the lathe at low
speed. Rotate the singed wheel against the stainless steel spatula again to fluff it
and remove any remaining threads.
6. Modified rag wheel is ready for use.
Pumicing denture:
Procedure:
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23. 1. Make slurry of fine flour of pumice with water, using copious amounts to the
slurry, wet the rag wheel and polish the denture at low speed more the denture
throughout the polishing to prevent formation of plane surface. Use a brush or
prophy cup with slurry to polish areas less accessible to the rag wheel.
2. Polish the palate and areas of the denture not readily accessible to the rag wheel
by using a prophy cup or a Dixon brush with slurry of flour of pumice smooth the
denture in this manner because a larger polishing instrument would obliterate
anatomic details. After completing the pumicing wash the denture thoroughly in
water, dry it and examine it for scratches. It any scratches are visible on the
pumiced surface. Repeat the pumicing and post pone the high polishing until
after removing all scratches.
3. Stipple the denture with a No. 200 finishing bur Rotate this bur slowly in a hand
piece and hold it in light contact with the surface of the denture to be stippled that
is, the area of the attached gingiva. Use light random circular movement of the
bur against the resin surface to produce an egg shell or stippled, effect that breaks
up light reflections and corrects minor imperfections in the resin.
4. Go over the stippled area lightly with a rubber prophy cup and slurry of flour of
pumice.
5. Put a high shine on the denture with No. 341 Tigeleam or prepared chalk slurry
and a modified rag wheel. Do not use this rag wheel with any other polishing
material. Examine the denture carefully for scratches and polish out any missed
previously. Take care when polishing or pumicing the denture to keep from
abrading anatomic details of the plastic teeth.
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24. 6. Brush the denture with green soap to remove all traces of polishing material, and
examine the denture carefully rinse the denture in water, and store it in a plastic
container of water until needed.
Method II for Polishing the complete denture
1. Remove the denture from the cast.
2. Remove the stone that adheres to the gingival margin area of the denture with
bard-parker handle and a No. 25 blade. Trim away excess flash with a Laboratory
Lathe-mounted carbide bur place the denture in an ultrasonic cleanser containing
a solution for removal of gypsum products. Adjust for frenum clearance with No.
558 bur mounted in a Laboratory Lathe.
3. Use a rubber point mounted on a mandrel and a dental lathe to remove scratches
from the denture base in areas in accessible to the larger pumice wheel. Pumice
the denture using flour of pumice or fine pumice mixed with water and a modified
rag wheel as described previously.
4. Polish areas between the teeth with a bristle brush and pumice slurry.
5. Put the initial high shine on the denture with a soft rag wheel and prepared chalk
mixed with water.
6. Put the final high shine on the denture with a soft chalmois wheel and gold rouge.
7. Stipple the denture with a straight hand piece No. 4 round bur bent slightly to
rotate eccentrically.
8. Place the bur in a lathe and with the lathe running at slow speed; stipple the
surface of the denture base in a random motion. Apply a high polish to the
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25. dentures again, scrub them with soap and water and place them in a container of
water until ready for use by the dentist.
Polishing ‘Teeth’:
Acrylic resin teeth are polished by the same method as the denture base material. A
rubber prophy cup and fine pumice or flour of pumice is used to restore the surface luster
of acrylic teeth after modification. A high luster is restored to the surface of these teeth
with a soft rag wheel and a high-shine material, such rouge or prepared chalk slurry.
Care should be taken when polishing resin teeth to avoid removing too much material
from the Occlusal surfaces and thereby, effecting the occlusion. One disadvantage of
using plastic teeth by inadvertent contact between teeth and polishing wheel.
A technique for finishing and polishing denture bases William A Welker, D.D.S.,
M.S.D., Donal C Kramer, D.D.S., M.S. and Roger W. Mercer USAF Medical center,
wright wright patterson AFB, Ohto.
A common complaint of denture wearers is that they are unable to keep their dentures
clean and free from stains. This results from improper home care by the patient or
improper finishing of the art portion of the denture. T alleurate this common complaint
patients should receive explicit instructions in home care, and dentures should be finished
and polished so that they are free ali surface,scratches and imperfections.
When the dentures are poorly finished food debris will not be trapped on the surface, thus
preventing objectionable odor, and taste and an unsightly appearance.
The following technique proven successful in producing blemish-free dentures:
Materials and Method:
1. Deflask the dentures and remove the resin flash from the borders.
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26. 2. Use chisels to remove excess acrylic resin or stone from around the necks of the
teeth. The chisels should include one with a right bevel, one with left bevel, one
with a fine point. They are easily made from old dental hand Instrument.
3. Smooth the interproximal spaces, papillae and rugae area with a soft bristly brush
and flour of pumice large brushes and rag wheels destroy the anatomy and should
not be used.
4. Polish the cervical surface of each artificial tooth with a rubber polishing cup.
This will produce smooth surface at the junction of the tooth and acrylic resin. A
region most difficult for patients to keep clean.
5. Remove scratches from the borders with a large rag wheel and pumice.
6. Lightly buff the remainder of the denture base with a rag wheel and pumice.
Light pressure will not destroy the anatomy or the tinting of the denture base.
7. Rinse the denture in water to remove the pumice thoroughly dry, and inspect for
remaining imperfections. It imperfections are visible, repeat the rag wheel and
pumice procedure.
8. Hard-to-reach regions such as the curve of the palate. The rugae area and the
lingual surfaces of lower incisors and canines, are smoothed with midget rubber
points. Followed by pumice applied on a small cotton point made by winding
cotton on a suitable used bur.
9. Wash the dentures thoroughly with soap and water, dry and inspect the base
material under magnification. All denture surfaces, with the exception of the
basal seat area should present a smooth egg shell texture tree of imperfection. If
not the previous steps must be repeated.
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27. 10. Apply Ti-gloss to a new rag wheel and lightly buff the denture surface.
11. Wash and dry the denture and again inspect it for imperfection small, hard-to-
reach imperfections are now removed with the rubber points and cotton points
using Ti-gloss.
12. Use Ti-gleem on a rag wheel with a light buffing action to produce on final high
shine.
Dentures bases finished by this technique will produce highly polished surfaces
free from all imperfections. The denture bases will remain free of stains and odors with
normal home care.
SUMMARY & CONSLUSION :
Method of Retrieval of denture, correction of occlusal discrepancies finishing &
Polishing procedures are discussed in this seminar. These are the end procedures before
the denture is finally deserved to the patient. A little extra effort & time are required for
these & there is not excuse, Which will justly a compromise in these final steps. This
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28. procedure will enhance the comfort, function & esthetics of the denture which is the final
aim every prosthesis is fabricated for.
Remounting Dentures:
After the index grooves or notches are cleaned the dentures and casts are seated to
the mounting stone with sticky wax. After remounting of denture and casts, occlusal
discrepancies caused during processing.
Every dentist who treats patients with complete dentures is probably aware that
the planned contact relationship of apposing. Posterior teeth are not the same in the
processed dentures as it was before the dentures were processed. Correction of Occlusal
discrepancies should be accomplished at the appointment for the initial placement of the
dentures.
There are two main factors in the production of Occlusal discrepancies in the
processed denture.
28

29. 1. A change in the relationship of a tooth or teeth to the master cast during
processing procedures.
2. Warp age of the denture base through release of inherent strains when the denture
is separated from the cat upon which it was processed. In the first instance the
tooth may change its relationship to the master cast as a result of investing
procedures (exothermic reaction of investing stone causing an expansion of wax).
3. Cure less packing of acrylic resin in the molds.
4. Improper closure of the flask halves.
Several methods of processing procedures have been suggested to minimize the risk of
causing such change.
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