Chairside transformation of a removable partial denture to a transitional complete denture to alleviate an impaired stroke patient: A case report

The purpose of this clinical report is to present a technique for transformation of an existing removable partial denture (RPD) into a transitional complete denture (CD) for an impaired stroke patient.

A 67-year-old male who underwent an ischemic stroke 12 months ago presented in the Postgraduate Clinic of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, requiring treatment of his remaining teeth and repair of his existing RPD which lacked retention and stability. The treatment plan included placement of amalgam plugs on the remaining teeth which were decoronated due to poor prognosis and modification of the existing RPD to a transitional CD. The procedure included one alginate impression and chairside alteration of the prosthesis with simple means. The new prosthesis managed to improve patient's masticatory ability and reduce the risk for aspiration pneumonia.

In the present case report a technique for modifying an existing RPD into a transitional CD for an impaired, stroke patient is described. Reduced treatment time, costs and patient's inconvenience while embracing the benefits provided by the utilization of an existing prosthesis regarding adaptation of the neuromuscular system are among the advantages of the described technique.