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The Neutral Zone: Concept and Technique: 10.5005/jp-Journals-10026-1010
The Neutral Zone: Concept and Technique: 10.5005/jp-Journals-10026-1010
5005/jp-journals-10026-1010
Virag Srivastava et al
42
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Virag Srivastava et al
by the period of edentulousness. The longer period of
edentulousness, the more buccally or labially located was
the neutral zone.
44
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Virag Srivastava et al
5. The upper posterior teeth will have to be rearranged to
Impression techniques can be either closed mouth or
assure maximum contact with the lower posterior teeth.
open mouth. Both these can be incorporated into the neutral
6. The upper and lower posterior teeth are checked for the
zone approach, but a closed mouth technique is preferred.
buccal and lingual relationship to each other.
The advantages with the use of a closed mouth technique 7. In order to avoid an edge to edge relationship which
are as follows: might lead to check biting, the lower posterior teeth may
• A more accurate functional molding of the borders can be moved buccally within the neutral zone, resulting in
be obtained, especially in the lower arch. a crossbite relationship.
• By having the patient to close gently and swallow, there
is more even distribution of pressure and impression The Trial Denture
material with less likelihood of excessive pressure in After the verification and correction of the stability,
one area or another. retention, vertical dimension, phonetics, centric relation and
esthetics are done. There is an important step to be completed
Fabrication of Tongue, Lip and Cheek Matrices during the trial denture tryin is the making of external
Prior to construction of the matrices, the casts must be impressions on the labial, buccal and lingual surfaces of the
indexed so that the matrices will fit back into their proper dentures. These will determine the thickness, contours and
positions. Several circular holes are made on the labial and shape of the polished surfaces of the denture. With
buccal surfaces of the cast and a cross is made in the tongue conventional complete dentures, the technician or dentist
area of the lower model.
With the lower occlusion rim in place, the lower model
is lubricated and stone is placed on the lingual portion of
the model, forming an artificial tongue and, on the labial
and buccal of the lower model, completely encasing the
occlusion rim. These matrices are trimmed to the exact
height of the lower occlusal plane, which was established
in the mouth. This preserves the height of the lower occlusal
plane. The same is done for the upper model and occlusion
rim.
After the stone is set, the labial and buccal matrices are
split in the middle to facilitate removal. When two occlusion
rims are now removed, the matrices can be placed back into
position. Instead of stone, rubber base putty can also be
used to form the matrices26 (Fig. 2).
The space between the matrices on the lower rim Fig. 2: Construction of matrices
represents the neutral zone and indicates where the teeth
should be positioned. The matrices on the upper indicate
the outer limits of the neutral zone and serve as a guide for
positioning the upper anterior teeth (Fig. 3).
After selection of the proper size, occlusal morphology
and material of the posterior teeth to be used, we go in for
the positioning or arrangement of teeth. The following are
a step by step sequence for arrangement of anterior and
posterior teeth:
1. The lower anterior teeth are set to the height of the labial
matrix and to the labial limit of the neutral zone.
2. The upper anterior teeth are set against the labial limits
of the upper matrix.
3. The lower posterior teeth are set against the tongue
matrix and against the template occlusally. Fig. 3: Potential denture space
4. The upper posterior teeth are set to the buccal limits of
the neutral zone.
Journal of Orofacial Research, January-March 2012;2(1):42-47 45
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Virag Srivastava, Senior Lecturer, Department of Prostho- dontics
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Faculty Residence No. 94, Rohilkhand Medical College Campus
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Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India, Phone: +91-8808022222 e-mail:
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drvirag@gmail.com
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