Functional impressions for complete denture fabrication. A modified jump technique.

Tissue conditioners are used with great success in dentistry as functional impression materials for rebasing removable prostheses. In the rebase procedure, a functional impression is made in an existing denture to create a master cast. The orientation of the occlusal surface to the underlying tissue surface is captured with a reline jig or denture flask and transferred to the new denture base in what is called a "jump" in laboratory jargon. Functional impression methods are not commonly considered, however, for the fabrication of new dentures despite their popularity and ease of use. This article describes a modified jump technique for remaking complete dentures. The method uses functional impressions in existing maxillary and mandibular dentures to create master casts and to act as stabilized carriers for jaw relation records. More precise esthetic and phonetic assessments of the existing prostheses are accommodated, and prescriptive changes may be referenced to the current tooth arrangement.