Flexibility is our Strength

Making Millions Smile

Valplast Flexible Partials

Lab Techniques for Flexible Partial Dentures

Introduction to Flexible Partials

Simple solution to provide a removable

restoration No tooth preparation needed No metal frame needed Finished partial with one trip through the laboratory Injection Technique Valplast Partials are repairable and relinable Guaranteed not to break

Type of Material

Valplast is a type of Nylon Thermoplastic Injection Molded Denser than acrylic Lower Water Absorption than PMMA Flexural modulus around 470MPa at body

temperature (making it both flexible and sturdy) In use since 1953

Lab Procedure - Overview

Design, block and relieve master model Duplicate stone model Try-in (if required) or Set-up on Master Transfer set-up to duplicate model Wax with prefabricated patterns Invest, Sprue, Wax Elimination Process with Manual Injector Finish and Polish

Visually Survey Model

Visualize design Aesthetics Path of Insertion Comfort Accuracy of Model

Remove Discrepancies

Wrap-Around Clasp

Most Common

Clasp Hugs Tissue Minimal Coverage of Tooth Stability against vertical and rotational movement

Design is made with Red Pencil

Split Wrap-Around

Clasp Separated from

Flange Similar to Roach Clasp Flexibility along Horizontal and Vertical Axes

Spur

Anchor

Maxillary Wax Relief

Relief Wax placed

along Buccal Periphery Necessary on All Maxillary Cases

Use Hot Wax for Relief

Mandibular Wax Relief

Junction of clasp with

saddle is more rigid area. Undercut toward periphery must be relieved

Blocking and Relieving

Lingual Undercuts
Relieved Interproximal Spaces Closed Obstructive Undercuts Removed

Final Preparation

Beading Post Dam Etching Design

Duplication

Soak Model Prepare Flask Pour Gel Let set 15 minutes

in air and 15 minutes in water

Waxing After Setup

Use of Prefabricated
Forms is Recommended to Insure Proper Thickness and Uniformity

Palatal Waxing

Soften Palate Press to Position Seal all Borders

Buccal Waxing

Using Prefabricated Form: Cut Form to Size

Press to Model
Seal all Borders

Bottom Half Investing

Spruing

Top Half Investing

Top Half Investing

Teeth Prepared for Retention

Processing

Melting - 11 Minutes

Injecting

Lets See That Again...

After Processing

Pre-Finishing
EconoCutter Trimmer

Dark Grinding Wheels

Vulcanite Burs

Fitting and Rubberizing

Brown Rubber Wheels

Polishing

Polishing Motion is Important

Advising Clinician on Insertion and Adjustment

Partial must be placed in very hot water

(150F or more) for a minute prior to insertion and allowed to cool to a tolerable temperature.
This process makes the partial as flexible as it would be at body temperature. This minimizes adjustments

Adjustments

Minor clasp tightening or loosening can be done

by heating the clasp again in very hot water and bending it severely in the needed direction. This will purposely warp the area enough to change its position Grinding should be done as a last resort. Use a Standard Green Mounted Stone (used usually for porcelain) to adjust Valplast. 20K to 30K rotation and constant motion

Small Additions - Welding

Using hot air welder and welding rod, build up a

boxing in the addition site to secure a new tooth Select a matching acrylic tooth. Break a porcelain tooth to obtain pins Heat each of two pins in flame to cherry red and embed in the partial half way (pin head protruding) Cure scooped stock tooth over pins using toothshade or pink acrylic.

Large Additions Injection

Wax new section on duplicate model to

original partial Invest, Sprue, Wash out wax Prepare bonding site with acid etch solution (Val-Fuse Repair Liquid) Inject, finish, and polish

Relines

Take Putty Matrix to record tooth position Strip teeth from partial (in blocks) while

duplicating the model. Rewax new base using matrix to position teeth Invest and process using repair technique to bond top-half exposed Valplast to new base. Finish and Polish

Clinical Prep for Tooth Addition

Clinician should take overall alginate

impression to lift out case Counter-model for bite Before pouring the model, any deposits or adhesives should be removed from surface or the process will lead to an unintended reline.

Clinical Prep for Reline

Closed-mouth rubber-base reline

impression. Pick-up overall alginate impression. Counter not necessary