Three Alternative Protocols for the Refabrication of Prosthesis: An Effective Way to Use the Current Prosthesis

The effective use of a patient's existing prosthesis can be an alternative to creating a new prosthesis and is faster, simpler, and less stressful for clinicians and patients. This report describes three minimally burdensome protocols for refabricating a maxillofacial prosthesis already in use. It also explains how to use the impression of the existing prosthesis to create a new one. Three protocols were introduced to refabricate a new prosthesis skipping the step of preliminary impression: (1) a putty impression protocol, where an impression of the intaglio surface of the existing prosthesis was made using heavy body polyvinyl siloxane impression material and prepared as a working cast; (2) an irreversible hydrocolloid impression protocol, where an impression of the surface of the existing prosthesis was made using hydrocolloid impression material and a duplicating flask; and (3) a digitized protocol, where an intraoral scanner was used to duplicate the existing maxillary prosthesis and print it using a 3D printer. All three protocols can help effectively skip the step of preliminary impression using a stock tray. The benefits include the avoidance of chair time in the preliminary impression step. Also, the custom tray or the copy denture made from the impression of the existing prosthesis is helpful because it reflects the morphology of a prosthesis that has been adjusted in multiple steps over a long period. These protocols can be used for both maxillofacial prostheses and complete dentures.