Pre-extraction records for complete denture fabrication: a literature review

Dentists use arbitrary methods in determining the vertical dimension of occlusion, and arranging the maxillary anterior teeth. Some dentists have difficulty in making maxillomandibular records for completely edentulous patients. Therefore the use of pre-extraction records has been recommended. This article reviews the pre-extraction records proposed for determining the vertical dimension of occlusion, recording centric relation, and arranging the maxillary anterior teeth. A MEDLINE search, from 1966-2002, for the key words "pre-extraction records" was supplemented with a hand search to identify relevant peer-reviewed English articles published in dental journals. On the basis of the review, it appeared that pre-extraction records proposed for determining the original vertical dimension of occlusion and arranging the maxillary anterior teeth for a completely edentulous patient were useful and preferred to arbitrary methods, whereas pre-extraction records proposed for recording centric relation may not be necessary.