The use of porcelain and plastic teeth in opposing complete dentures

Abstract

<h2>Summary</h2> The features of the combination of plastic teeth with porcelain teeth are:<ul><li>1.It is easy to bring the dentures into occlusion by grinding mainly the plastic teeth.</li><li>2.Wear is not completely eliminated so some accommodation by wear occurs.</li><li>3.The hazard of click and trauma is virtually eliminated because porcelain teeth occlude against plastic teeth.</li><li>4.Because of the yielding character of the plastic teeth, much of the energy of impact is absorbed, and this compensates for the hazard of friability and brittleness of porcelain teeth.</li><li>5.Masticating efficiency is maintained at a higher level than with plastic teeth versus plastic teeth because the mechanical cutting edges of the porcelain teeth will not be lost.</li><li>6.There are simple rules to be followed in using plastic teeth against porcelain teeth. These should be emphasized. The porcelain teeth should present smooth polished surfaces, with no cutting action into the plastic teeth, at all times. This is done best by using a flat cusp type of tooth made of dense porcelain.</li></ul> This combination of porcelain and plastic teeth represents a compromise. The trauma or click is somewhat greater with the plastic and porcelain combination than with the plastic teeth opposed by plastic teeth. Cutting efficiency is greater than with plastic-against-plastic teeth, but less than porcelain-versus-porcelain teeth. This is a preliminary report. Further investigation is being carried out in both the clinical and the laboratory aspects of the problem. It has been reported at this time because it is felt that the compromise of the properties of the plastic teeth and porcelain teeth is successfully achieved by their co-use, and that this compromise is worthy of consideration.