MAT

SURFACE AND RUGAE REPRODUCTIOX UPPER PARTIAL DEISTURE CASTINGS D.D.S.,*

Reed Army Walter AND SEBASTIAN J. CAMPACNA, Medical Center, TVushin~~tn~~a,II. C.

FOR D.D.s.**

I,YNN

C. DIRKSEN,

OPINION, the dental profession has grossly neglected surface conof upper partial denture framework castings, and has accepted the smooth, highly polished palatal surfaces for upper partial denture castings for far too many years. Dr. Luzerne G. Jordan*** has advocated a lusterless, unpolished palatal surface for upper complete dentures for a nmnber of years. His experience indicates that patients tolerate this type palatal surface for producing speech sounds 111uc1~ better than the customar! highly polished palatal surface seen on most complete dentures today. The tongue is highly sensitive, and ii one of the fastest moving muscular organs in the body. Therefore, it seemed most desirable, and of the utmost importance. to produce a mat surface on maxillar!~ partial denture castings which would provide as nearly a tissue-like surface ;V possible, against which the tongue could function in a more natural manner during speech, food manipulation, and deglutition. Stimulated l)y Jordans findings rcgarding upper complete dentures, an investigation was instigated to determint the possibility of applying this principle to the palatal surfaces of upper parti;\ denture castings.

I touring

N OUR

Kecently, several methods of producing a mat tissue-like surface on upper partial denture castings have been advocated. Two of these procedures require the making of an investment or plaster core which is raised off the refractory cas:t during the waxing procedure, thus forming a space into which the metal is cast : a third procedure requires the addition of acrylic resin polymer to the plastic sheet used for forming the palatal surface of the casting ; and a fourth procedure requires the fabrication of a plastic palatal section in the hydrocolloid duplicaticnl impression of the master cast.* The above procedures are all applicable : however. the following disadvantages should be enumerated : 1. The first three procedures are quite tinie-consuiiiing. 2. The investment andjor plaster cores are difficult to position consequently it is difficult to obtain uniform pattern thickness. accurateiv.

The opinions and assertions contained in this article are those of the authors and are not to be construed as reflecting the policies of the Surgeon General. or as representing t.he omrial policy of the United States Army. Received for publication Sept. 8, 1953. *Colonel, Dental Corps, United States Army, Commanding Officer, Central Dental Laboratory. Walter Reed Army Medical Center. **Captain, Dental Corps, United States Army, Executive Officer, Central Dental Laboratory. Walter Reed Army Medical Center. ***Wasington, D. C., Consultant in Prosthodontics, Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
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with

3. The first two procedures deep, narrow vaults.

previously

mentioned

are not applicable on plates

4. The third procedure (the addition of acrylic polymer to the plastic pattern) produces a rough, sandpaper-like surface unless extreme precautions are observed during the addition of the polymer. 5. The fourth procedure is the most satisfactory method of obtaining a mat This procedure provides an exact surface on upper partial denture castings. duplication of the palatal surface of upper master casts. Any projections or irregularities caused by trapped air, and/or striations caused by trapped saliva, Therefore, it is imperative that the mouth will be duplicated by this procedure. be thoroughly dried prior to making the final impression to assure an exact, accurate copy of the vault tissues of the mouth. The originators of this procedure are to be highly complimented for their foresight and perseverance in developing this palatal pattern procedure.
STRIATED MAT FINISH PROCEDURE

This procedure involves copying a striated, convoluted transferring this surface to a plastic sheet prior to waxing-in on the refractory cast for casting.

metal surface, and the palatal section

1. Preparation of the chrome cobalt metal plate a. Select a painted metal surface with striations which seem appropriate (Fig. 1). b. Dam off a 2 inch square section with Plasticine. c. Coat this area with a light coating of oil. d. Make a standard mix of refractory investment and pour it onto the prepared surface. e. Allow the investment to set ; preheat it in an oven and then dip in into hot beeswax. f. Adapt two layers of 28 gauge wax to the refractory surface. g. Sprue from the center of a waxed sheet with a piece of inlay wax approximately g inch long. h. Invest, burn-out, cast, sandblast, and electropolish in the usual manner. i. Use a rubber wheel lightly over the entire surface of the casting, then polish it lightly with high shine polishing material and a rag wheel on a low speed polishing motor (Fig. 2). 2. Altering the surface contour of the plastic sheet a. Spray the surface of the plastic sheet lightly with a plastic spray. b. Adapt the plastic sheet to the mat surface of the metal sheet, and hold the metal and plastic sheet in water at a temperature of 140F. for 15 seconds (Fig. 3). c. Remove from the water bath and readapt the plastic sheet to the metal plate.

Volume 4 Number 1

MAT

SURFACE

AND

RUGAE

REPRODUCTION

Fig.

1: -Painted

mat surface

which

is copied

and cast in a chrome

cobalt

alloy.

Fig.

2.-Mat

surface

fabricated

in a chrome

cobalt

alloy.

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DIRKSEN

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J. Pros. Den. January, 1954

d. Chill the pattern and metal plate in water at a temperatl Ire of 40 F. The reproduced mat surface will remain on the plastic shec:t duri w the remainder of the waxing procedure (Fig. 4). e. Utilize this modified plastic sheet for waxing the palatal section of the upper refractory cast (Fig. 5).
Fig. 3.

Fig. Fig. den hture.

3.- -Plastic 4.- -Altered

pattern plastic

adapted pattern

to the utilized

chrome cobalt metal plate. for waxing the palatal section

of the

upper

,tial

Fig. 5. Fig. X-Wax-up Fig. G.-Finished casting

I,&. utilizin showing g thr altwwl the mat l)lastil, lxtfrt 1). surtar~c of t llr

(i. sect ton.

]xUatal

Fig.

7.-Convoluted

mat

surface

frequently

found

on master

casts.

3. Finishing and polishing procedure a. Invest, burn-out, cast, sandblast, and electropolish the casting in the usual manner. b. Finish and use a rubber wheel on all clasps, rests, bars, and other areas covering the cingulae of the remaining teeth. c. Use a rubber wheel lightly on the mat surface of the palatal section of the casting.

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J. Pros. January,

Den. 1954

d. High shine the entire casting. e. Boil the casting in trisodium phosphate, steam, and wash it in hot, soapy water (Fig. 6).
ADVANTAGES OF THE MAT FINISH PROCEDURE

1. The procedure is simple in application and increases waxing time only several minutes per denture. 2. The procedure does not require the use of additional material or equipment. 3. Although artificially produced, the mat surface on the finished partial denture casting resulting from this procedure accomplishes its purpose of providing a more compatible surface against which the tongue may function. 4. This procedure of producing a mat surface on partial denture castings saves approximately forty minutes per denture in finishing and polishing time. 5. This artificially produced mat surface very closely resembles the surface so frequently found in the palates of many mouths (Fig. 7).
CONCLUSION

The mat finish procedure was developed by us and placed in full production in the Walter Reed Army Medical Center Central Dental Laboratory on April 1, 1953. This procedure was instigated to improve the quality of chrome cobalt partial denture castings, and to reduce the working time per appliance. The re. duction in cost per appliance IS reflected in the forty minutes saved in finishing and polishing time per denture. The response from prosthodontists and patients for whom these castings were made has been most favorable.
REFERENCE

1. Walker,

T. J., and Orsinger, W. 0.: Palate Method, J. PROS. DEN. 4:54, 1954.
CENTER

Reproduction

by the Hydrocolloid-Resin

WALTER REED Amm MEDICAL CENTRAL DENTAL LABORATORY WASHINGTON 12, D. C.