Laboratory procedures for the maintenance of a removable partial overdenture.

Laboratory procedures in support of maintenance therapy for a typical patient with a removable partial overdenture were described. These procedures consisted of the fabrication of a gold metal coping and the reline of the prosthesis with autopolymerizing acrylic resin. In designing the coping contours, the technician must consider the path of insertion of the prosthesis and the space requirement for the overlying resin tooth. Reproduction of the dowel preparation is facilitated by using a plastic dowel as part of the coping wax pattern. The removable partial overdenture was relined with autopolymerizing acrylic resin in a reline jig. Tooth-colored acrylic resin was used in the concavity formed by the overdenture abutment to enhance esthetics. The requirement of a coordinated effort between the dentist and the dental laboratory technician is critical to the successful treatment of the removable partial overdenture patient.