Search

PURPOSE This trial aimed to compare a new technique for defining and transferring the esthetic arrangement to the laboratory with the traditional method. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred twenty-three consecutive edentulous patients were randomly assigned to a case or control group. The case group received arrangement using adhesive paper teeth. The control group received traditional standard care selection and arrangement of anterior teeth. Measured outcomes were the time needed for arrangement and adjustments, patient satisfaction, and number of adjustments at the trial session. RESULTS Satisfaction and number of adjustments needed were not statistically different in the two groups. The time needed for arranging teeth was statistically less in the case group. CONCLUSION The technique reduces the time necessary for the esthetic arrangement while maintaining comparable quality of the trial and definitive denture.

Denture marking is useful in institutional settings and post-mortem identification. Numerous markers have been developed, and their advantages and limitations assessed previously; however, patient perception to denture marking is paramount. We evaluated this in an Indian sample and also gauged their preference for different markers.One-hundred and one edentulous patients seeking prosthodontic treatment in our institution were shown four denture markers (stainless steel matrix band, paper strip with name inscribed on it, patient photograph and optically readable laminated bar code) and asked whether they wanted similar markers in their dentures; patients were also asked to rank the markers based on preference and indicate their satisfaction with it.Approximately two-thirds of patients (65/101) were uninterested in getting their dentures marked; among the 36 who agreed, 10 preferred the stainless steel band followed by photographs (9), paper strip (6) and bar code (2); nine gave multiple responses and were excluded from analyses. Sixteen patients expressed dissatisfaction with the photographic marker and bar code, while this number reduced for the stainless steel band (13) and paper strip (10).The results are in contrast to European studies wherein the majority of patients agreed to denture marking, indicating patient background (e.g. education level) may affect perception to denture marking; amongst those who agreed to marking, most preferred, or were satisfied with, the stainless steel and paper strip markers over photographic marker and a complex method such as bar-coding, implying that simple methods harbouring basic patient information may suffice in the Indian context.

Two cases of patients who have relined their complete dentures with home-applied materials in an attempt to improve the denture stability are discussed. The resultant damage to the residual tissues is described. A review of the literature on the effects of home relines leads to suggestions for the regular review of patients who wear complete dentures.