Theories of posterior tooth selection: porcelain versus acrylic

The salient physical properties of porcelain and acrylic posterior teeth and their clinical correlations have been reviewed. However, the practitioner has alternative choices to the use of all porcelain or all acrylic denture teeth in complete dentures; like materials need not oppose each other. Porcelain and acrylic teeth can be used in combination with each other. However, consideration should be given to the following observations: Myerson claims that when acrylic opposes porcelain teeth, the acrylic wears less than porcelain opposing porcelain or acrylic opposing acrylic teeth. Ortman states that his clinical experience suggests that acrylic opposing porcelain wears more rapidly than the other two types of relationships. In support of Myerson , Peyton and Craig suggest that "the lowest coefficients of friction are obtained when porcelain and acrylic specimens oppose each other." At present, no statistically significant research has been published to support or refute these statements. In an attempt to more successfully harmonize the wearability of materials, gold occlusal surfaces can be cast and attached onto acrylic posterior teeth. Through this effort the wearability of opposing acrylic teeth will be enhanced, while at the same time centric and balancing occlusal contacts will be refined and the occlusal vertical dimension maintained. Lauciello describes a technique for the placement of functionally generated amalgam stops as restorations within mandibular acrylic teeth. Once again , this is an attempt to give a clinically practical solution to improve the efficiency and wearability of acrylic posterior teeth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)