How well are complete dentures copied?
OBJECTIVE
To assess how accurately the same set of complete dentures could be copied by 12 different laboratories.


METHODS
A prospective study.


METHODS
Completed by commercial laboratories used by GDPs in England (1996). Results were analysed and controlled by a university department.


METHODS
The master set was constructed to include a midline diastema and a bilateral posterior crossbite. Twelve sets of silicone moulds of the master denture were prepared. GDPs selected commercial laboratories of their choice to receive the work.


METHODS
All stages of the work were compared with the master dentures by returning them to a specially adapted articulator. Analysis was completed using preset criteria.


RESULTS
Only five of the returned copies were considered to have both good quality acrylic resin work and clear details of the teeth in wax. Only four cases reproduced the diastema. After processing, the occlusal vertical dimension had been increased in eight of the cases and the bilateral crossbite had been eliminated in all cases.


CONCLUSIONS
None of the final copy dentures were considered an accurate copy of the master dentures. There is considerable scope for further training of dental technicians in this important technique.
Kippax
A
A
Division of Restorative Dentistry, Leeds Dental Institute.
Watson
C J
CJ
Basker
R M
RM
Pentland
J E
JE
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D003725:Dental Articulators; D003760:Dental Impression Materials; D003761:Dental Impression Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D003800:Dental Technicians / Q000193:education; D003819:Denture Bases; D003779:Denture Design / Q000592:standards*; D003824:Denture, Complete / Q000592:standards*; D003970:Diastema / Q000473:pathology; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D007754:Laboratories, Dental; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012828:Silicones; D014093:Tooth, Artificial; D014716:Vertical Dimension; D014885:Waxes
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D003760:Dental Impression Materials; D012828:Silicones; D014885:Waxes