Blog | Finlay Sutton - Denture Education

Partial Denture Construction Flowchart

This is the sequence I use when making RPDs for my patients.

It looks rather complicated, but it keeps me on the right track. Please feel free to use it.

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Positioning teeth on complete dentures for a beautiful smile - VIDEO

Put them back where they were naturally;

1. Upper denture teeth outside of the ridge

2. Lower denture teeth over the crest of the ridge.

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Chrome Partial Dentures Guide – The Scandinavian Way youtube video

In this youtube video I clarify the philosophy behind Scandinavian Chrome Dentures. I also explain each appointment to help those earlier in their career.

Madeline's new complete dentures

Newsletter about Madeline's treatment to follow next week......Mk 1 complete dentures followed by Mk 2 using a neutral zone "French Impression" technique.......Happy Friday

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Leave off the second molars for complete dentures

1. The 2nd molar is often positioned on the ascending part of the mandibular ramus and chewing the bolus on this position can push the denture forward

2. Leaving off the 2nd molar enables the cheek and tongue mucosae to overlay the back of the denture holding it down

3. Reduces the biting force needed to chew through the food.

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The importance of spare dentures

It is an advantage having a spare denture. I regularly make spares as part of the treatment process if the patient is happy to invest. I encourage the patient to alternate the dentures on a daily basis, so that when one fractures and requires repair, they are completely used to the other....

Importantly, however hard we try; we cannot make identical dentures. It is likely that the patient will have a favourite (set) and it is important the patient still alternates.

The spare set are conventionally handmade in the same way as the definitive set. If not, they would be made using 3D printing/milling. With current technology 3D printing/milling, does not look as good as the handmade.

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My 10 most important technical factors in producing complete dentures with superb aesthetics and function

1. Know what a great technical denture should look like (in terms of fit). Appearance is the patient’s prerogative.

2. Making accurate impressions

3. Finding and recording centric relation

4. Carving the wax rims to mimic the patient’s dentate appearance if that’s what the patient wants - for correct lip support, tooth positioning and face shape - including maintaining ultra-thin denture flange margin beneath base of the nose to form natural lip support which is generated by the crowns and roots of the teeth - COPY NATURE - “If the OVD looks right it is right”

5. Photometric calculation for tooth size selection

6. Be REALLY brave with tooth positioning – throw away the rule book

7. Video and photographic rehearsal of the try in to allow the patient a true aesthetic representation

8. Composite rest seats for supporting partial dentures

9. The Scandinavian hygienic design principles for partial dentures

10. The gums mimicking nature – shape, texture and colour

Plus 2 more important factors

11. Metal reinforcement for complete dentures – plates and cages – longer lasting dentures

12. Molloplast B lining for poor denture supporting tissues

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Do my complete denture patients need implants?

Interestingly, in the last 15 years I have not had a single patient require dental implants to stabilise a lower complete denture I have fitted. I am sure this will happen at some stage in the future, though. I believe the most important factor in delivering successful dentures is the patient’s education and understanding of their role – i.e. understanding the need for neuromuscular control through adaptation. Technical factors are extremely important but are not the most important factor in delivering successful dentures. I liken successful dentures to well-engineered lumps of plastic made within the patients’ adaptive capacities. They learn how to use them.

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