Dental Diagnostics and Prosthodontics

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of wax in the context of fully adjustable articulators?

To record precise border movements

To replace pantographic tracings

To adjust mechanical fossae (correct)

To create permanent models for dental work

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of fully adjustable articulators?

Precise replication of movements

Simplifies all types of dental procedures (correct)

Minimizes adjustments needed during procedures

Allows for complex prosthesis fabrication

Which factor should NOT be considered when choosing the right articulator?

Time efficiency of subsequent treatment stages

Popularity of a specific articulator brand (correct)

Skill level of the dentist and technician

Complexity of the treatment needed

What is a critical requirement when using complex prostheses with fully adjustable articulators?

Precise tracking of irregular pathways Signup and view all the answers

When assessing the accuracy requirements for treatment with an articulator, what should be emphasized?

Demands for procedural accuracy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of diagnostic casts in prosthodontics?

To evaluate occlusal relationships Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following dimensions is essential to measure when assessing edentulous spaces?

Occlusocervical dimension Signup and view all the answers

What does the assessment of soft tissue contours in edentulous areas affect?

The emergence profile of prosthesis design Signup and view all the answers

In fixed prosthodontics, why is assessing the alignment of proposed abutment teeth important?

It impacts prosthesis design and function Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a diagnostic wax-up procedure?

To visualize and evaluate proposed treatment outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What might an occlusal analysis identify during diagnostic procedures?

Potential occlusal interferences Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT typically considered when evaluating abutment teeth?

Color of the tooth Signup and view all the answers

Why should tooth preparation simulations be conducted on duplicate casts?

To refine techniques before the actual procedure Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of diagnostic casts compared to intraoral examinations?

They are unaffected by patient reflexes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a crucial aspect of making accurate dental impressions for diagnostic casts?

Patient cooperation. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the chemical reaction of irreversible hydrocolloid?

Calcium sulfate reacts to produce insoluble calcium alginate. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it essential to pour impressions immediately after taking them?

To prevent distortion due to imbibition. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT contribute to the successful retention of impression materials within trays?

Underfilling the tray with material. Signup and view all the answers

What should be the first step in the diagnostic impression-taking process?

Prepare the patient's mouth. Signup and view all the answers

What material is suitable for preliminary impressions but not for definitive casts?

Irreversible hydrocolloid. Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of small voids in dental impressions?

Formation of nodules on occlusal surfaces. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done immediately after removing the alginate impression?

Spray with glutaraldehyde and place in a sealed bag. Signup and view all the answers

What is the proper treatment for the cast after pouring?

Store it tray side down, covered with wet paper in a humidor. Signup and view all the answers

When should the pouring of the impression be completed for optimal accuracy?

Within 15 minutes of removal. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using a facebow in the transfer of the maxillary cast?

To ensure accurate spatial orientation. Signup and view all the answers

What should be evaluated to ensure adequate reproduction of dental structures in a cast?

Surface detail for voids and nodules. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Maximum Intercuspation' refer to?

The occlusal relationship when the teeth are maximally interdigitate. Signup and view all the answers

What must be done if questionable impressions and casts are identified during quality evaluation?

Discard the impressions and repeat the process. Signup and view all the answers

What is important to analyze in occlusal relationships to maintain dental function?

Centric relation and any discrepancies to maximum intercuspation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of group function in dentistry?

To allow for simultaneous contact of multiple teeth during lateral movements Signup and view all the answers

Which type of articulator provides a wide range of positions for simulating mandibular movement?

Fully Adjustable Articulator Signup and view all the answers

What is a major limitation of small nonadjustable articulators?

Difficulty in hinge closure Signup and view all the answers

Which articulator type is best suited for routine fixed prosthesis applications?

Semiadjustable Signup and view all the answers

In terms of anatomical accuracy, which articulator design is stated to be anatomically 'correct'?

Arcon Design Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of interocclusal records in dental prosthetics?

To transform the relation between the upper and lower dental arch Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of semiadjustable articulators simplifies the treatment process?

They can reduce the need for clinical adjustments. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Nonarcon design articulators from Arcon designs?

Nonarcon movements are considered 'backwards'. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Diagnostic Casts

Diagnostic casts are replicas of teeth and surrounding structures.
Made with dental stone or plaster from dental impressions.
Essential in fixed prosthodontics for treatment planning.
Allow detailed examination of tooth relationships not visible intraorally.
Used for evaluation of edentulous spaces, abutment teeth, and treatment simulation.

Edentulous Spaces

Measure occlusocervical dimensions of edentulous spaces.
Assess spatial relationships with adjacent and opposing teeth.
Evaluate soft tissue contours in edentulous areas, influencing emergence profile.

Abutment Teeth

Evaluate alignment of abutment teeth for prosthetic design.
Assess angulation impacting path of insertion and retention.
Analyze tooth position for drifting or rotation.
Examine structural integrity of abutments for restorative needs.

Diagnostic Procedures

Simulate tooth preparations on duplicate casts for practice.
Perform diagnostic wax-ups to visualize treatment outcomes.
Conduct detailed occlusal analysis for potential interferences.

Advantages of Diagnostic Casts

Provide unobstructed 360° view for examination.
Eliminate patient reflexes and time constraints.
Offer easy reproducibility compared to intraoral examination.

Impression Making

Accurate impressions are crucial for diagnostic cast accuracy.
Proper technique and material selection are essential.
Avoid voids, extend impressions to the cervical line, and choose appropriate materials.

Irreversible Hydrocolloid

Composed of sodium or potassium salts of alginate acid and water-soluble components.
Forms insoluble calcium alginate when reacting with calcium sulfate.
Contains trisodium phosphate to control setting rate.

Impression Material Behavior

Imbibition: Alginate absorbs liquid, causing distortion.
Syneresis: Alginate releases liquid, causing distortion.
Pouring time: Impressions must be poured immediately to prevent distortion.

Tray Considerations

Ensure retention with adhesive, perforations, or undercuts.
Use larger trays for more material and improved accuracy.
Provide full tray support to prevent impression distortion.

Diagnostic Impression Technique

Select the largest tray fitting comfortably in the patient's mouth.
Mix hydrocolloid to a homogeneous consistency.
Load the tray, wipe material into crevices, and seat in the patient's mouth.
Remove promptly after gelation, rinse, and disinfect.

Impression Taking Process

Clean teeth and rinse mouth thoroughly.
Load the tray and wipe material into occlusal crevices.
Insert the tray and remind the patient to relax cheek muscles.
Remove quickly 2-3 minutes after gelation.

Disinfection and Pouring

Disinfect with glutaraldehyde for 10 minutes in a sealed bag.
Pour within 15 minutes of removal for accuracy.
Use vacuum-mixed ADA type IV or V stone.

Cast Storage and Separation

Store tray side down with wet paper in a humidor.
Allow for 1 hour of storage time.
Separate casts 1 hour after pouring.

Diagnostic Cast Evaluation

Examine for voids, nodules, and proper articulation.
Ensure adequate reproduction of dental structures.
Repeat the process if impressions and casts are questionable.

Transferring Casts to Articulators

Use a facebow for maxillary cast transfer, ensuring accurate spatial orientation.
Utilize a centric relation interocclusal record for mandibular cast articulation.
Set condylar elements using protrusive and excursive interocclusal records.

Analyzing Occlusal Relationships

Centric relation: The position of the mandible in relation to the maxilla where condyles are in their most upward, backward, and unstrained position.
Maximum intercuspation: The occlusal relationship where cusps interdigitate maximally in habitual closure.
Mandibular movements: Analyze occlusal contacts throughout the range of mandibular movements.

Occlusal Plane Analysis

Anterior guidance: Evaluate how it influences posterior tooth disclusion.
Group function: Multiple posterior teeth on the working side come into contact simultaneously during lateral movements.

Articulators

Mechanical devices that simulate mandibular movement.
Crucial for analyzing functional relationships in dental prosthetics.
Proper selection impacts treatment outcomes and efficiency.

Types of Articulators

Small nonadjustable: Limited capacity to reproduce mandibular movement.
Semiadjustable: Practical for routine fixed prostheses, offering diagnostic information.
Fully adjustable: Wide range of positions, accurately simulating patient movement.

Small Nonadjustable Articulators

Cannot reproduce the full range of mandibular movement.
May result in restorations with occlusal interferences.
Hinge closure distance is less than in patients.

Semiadjustable Articulators

Suitable for most routine fixed prostheses.
Minimize clinical adjustments during treatment.
Maintain anatomical accuracy with similar size to structures represented.
Offer time efficiency with ease of use.

Arcon vs Nonarcon Designs

Arcon: Condylar spheres on the lower component, anatomically correct.
Nonarcon: Popular in complete denture prosthodontics, rigid upper and lower members.
Arcon simulations are easier to understand while nonarcon movements are "backwards".

Semiadjustable Articulator Adjustments

Condylar inclination: Mimics patient's condylar path.
Progressive side shift: Simulates lateral movement of the mandible.
Immediate side shift: Replicates the initial lateral movement of the condyle.

Interocclusal Records

Transform the upper and lower arch relationship from the patient's mouth to the articulator.
Wax: Used to adjust mechanical fossae.
Other materials: Mimic patient mandibular movements.

Fully Adjustable Articulators

High accuracy in replicating patient border movements.
Complex use requiring high skill level and understanding.
Utilize pantographic tracings for adjustments instead of wax records.

Advantages of Fully Adjustable Articulators

Precise replication of irregular movement pathways.
Enable fabrication of complex dental work.
Minimize chairside adjustments for complex cases.

Choosing the Right Articulator

Consider the treatment complexity and accuracy requirements.
Evaluate time efficiency and skill level of the dentist and technician.

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Description

Explore essential concepts in dental diagnostics, including diagnostic casts, evaluation of edentulous spaces, and abutment teeth alignment. This quiz covers techniques for treatment planning and the intricacies of fixed prosthodontics. Prepare to assess and practice crucial skills for effective dental care!