Make preliminary impression using a stock tray specifically designed for edentulous patients and alginate. Tray periphery may be enhanced with wax.
Fabricate preliminary cast and custom impression tray. This cast should be slightly over-extended in the periphery.
Master impression using border molded custom tray with PVS or polyether. (Click this link for a course on impressions for edentulous patients.)
Send impression to laboratory for fabrication of master cast and record base/wax rim.
Contour wax rimsConfirm fit and extension of record base. Contour wax rims for lip support, future incisal edge position, occlusal plane, occlusal vertical dimension and midline. Record facebow transfer and bite registration at correct vertical dimension. Select tooth mold, tooth shade and desired occlusal scheme.
Return all items to laboratory. Lab will index and mount casts and develop trial denture set-up.
Try-in initial denture set-up. Depending on clinician/technician preference this may be either an “esthetic try-in” of just the maxillary anterior teeth (requiring an additional try-in) or the full set-up. Evaluate for accuracy of mounting, occlusal vertical dimension, esthetics and phonetics. Perform modifications as necessary. Patient and clinician should be satisfied before moving to next step.
Return all items to laboratory for prosthesis fabrication. Dentures should be remounted and equilibrated to compensate for errors in denture processing. Dentures should be returned finished and all external surfaces polished. Many clinicians will request clinical remount casts to be fabricated and returned with the case.
Insert and adjust denturesInsert dentures and adjust as necessary. Typical post insertion follow-up includes 24-hour, one-week and one-month appointments. Determine an appropriate recall interval.