Complete dentures: diagnosis, treatment planning, impressions
Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge · Dental (BDS)
Tooth explorer
Interactive 3DPeel through enamel, dentin and pulp — then switch to implants, braces or dentures.
Controls
Drag the sliders or type a value — the simulation updates live.
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Study notes
Why are two impressions (preliminary and final) made for a complete denture? The preliminary impression in a stock tray captures the general ridge form to fabricate a custom tray. The final impression uses that custom tray with border molding — shaping the edges during functional muscle movements (smiling, swallowing) — so the denture borders seal against the tissues. This peripheral seal creates the suction-like retention that keeps an upper denture in place.
Related topics
- Complete dentures: jaw relations — vertical and centric
- Complete dentures: occlusion — balanced, lingualized; teeth arrangement
- Complete dentures: try-in, processing, insertion, post-insertion care
- Removable partial dentures: classification — Kennedy, Applegate
- Removable partial dentures: components — clasps, rests, connectors
- Removable partial dentures: surveying, design, mouth preparation