Laboratory fabrication of gold occlusal surfaces for removable and implant-supported prostheses

This article describes a technique for fabricating prosthetic teeth with gold occlusal surfaces for removable or implant-supported prostheses. Following a successful wax try-in appointment, the denture teeth used in the prosthesis are invested in a denture flask. After deflasking, the gingival 2/3 of the denture teeth are trimmed away. The remaining occlusal portions of the teeth are invested in a gypsum-bonded investment and cast in a type III gold alloy. After polishing, the castings are repositioned back into their respective sites in the flask. An acrylic resin of an appropriate shade is mixed and packed in the flask. Once the acrylic resin is processed to the metal occlusal surfaces, the individual teeth are removed from the flask and polished. Then the finished teeth are reinserted in the wax trial denture, the occlusion is refined, the final wax-up is completed, and the prosthesis is processed.