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Polident – REF-LINE:
Report on experience with
a new line of teeth
Erik Lauter
Christiane Poppitz
Rübeling + Klar Dental Labor GmbH
Ruwersteig 43 – 12681 Berlin
Tel: (030) 54 99 34-0
Fax: (030) 54 99 34-111
[email protected]
www.ruebeling-klar.de
There comes a new one...
Polident – REF-LINE:
Report on experience with
a new line of teeth
Erik Lauter
Christiane Poppitz
For all staff responsible for prosthodontics at the Dental Laboratory Rübeling &
Klar in Berlin it is not unusual to be constantly confronted with new dental industry
products. Therefore it came as no surprise when our head requested that we test
a foreign line of teeth, more specifically Polident's REF-LINE. This article
summarises our findings and results.
Our initial scepticism...
Before we even managed to see »the new teeth«, we were pondering on the many
adjustments that might be needed in our laboratory and, particularly, how we should
be tackling them: Will the contact between the occlusal surfaces be satisfactory?
Will the teeth require setting up according to a different prosthodontic concept, and
if yes, how can we transmit this knowledge in the quickest and most sustainable
manner to our colleagues in the removable prosthodontics department? Are these
teeth suitable for use both in complete as well as in partial and implant
prosthodontics? If yes, how will our client's patients be able to cope with this? Will
the patients who are already using a denture and need a new one possibly feel a
significant difference?
… was soon replaced
by deep interest
Our extensive experience with the introduction of new products demonstrates that
change is often inevitable, both in the use and finishing. If it results in an improved
workflow and greater satisfaction of clients, we are certainly favourably inclined to
such a necessity. We suspected that, indeed, REF-LINE teeth were such a positive
product when after a lengthy narration by our head and the producer we finally got to
see the »new teeth«. The REF-LINE line of teeth looks as if it is straight out of the
picture book: it has beautiful surfaces, delicate layers of the front and side teeth, and
beautiful morphology of occlusal surfaces of the side teeth (Images 1a, b). In view of
this appearance it was not surprising that our colleagues and ourselves set about
using these teeth in our everyday practice without the usual prejudice.
1a
1b
1a, 1b: Already at first sight, the front and side teeth of Polident's REF-LINE make a very good impression
in terms of form and occlusion.
Rübeling+Klar Dental Labor GmbH
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Distinctive features
of the teeth
Before embarking on the setup, we were pleasantly surprised by the fact that the
front teeth were not simply flatly positioned on a carrier, but rather arranged in a
dental arch with the help of centrally slightly elevated wax. The teeth are only gently
pressed into dark fixing wax, thus contact between the incisal edge of a tooth and
wax is avoided. This allows sufficient light to fall on the incisal sections,
accentuating the natural colours of teeth. In the opposite case, which we often
come across, the entire tooth would reflect the dark colour of the set-up wax, which
would shine through the transparent enamel layer, giving a tooth lifeless
appearance (Images 2a-c).
2a
2b
2c
2a, 2b: The front teeth are not flatly positioned on a carrier, but rather arranged in a dental arch with the
help of centrally slightly elevated wax.
2c: Due to this special arrangement on the carriers/supports, the front teeth are only gently pressed into
dark fixing/blocking wax, therefore contact between the incisal edge of a tooth and wax is avoided. This
way, the incisal sections are shown in their true character.
Looking at individual prefabricated teeth of this line, we particularly note that
vestibularly and palatally they appear very corporeal and that the proximal sides run
virtually parallel from the incisal edge to the tooth neck. This way, gaps in the
cervical area are avoided, as we will also be able to observe later during the setup.
Interdentally, teeth can be positioned close next to each other, whereby large,
unnatural and dark triangles are avoided also during the final gum modelling
(Images 3a, b and later 6a, b, 7a, b).
3a
3b
3a, 3b: The incisal and proximal surfaces of teeth are clean and practically without any seams.
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Rübeling+Klar Dental Labor GmbH
The arrangement and the overall appearance of layers come across very natural. A
more detailed inspection of individual teeth prior to the setup shows that the incisal
and proximal surfaces are clean and practically without any seams (distortions)
caused by processing. The palatal surfaces are not too heavily shaped, meaning
that they are tongue-friendly for the patients and their cleanliness can easily be
maintained.
Setup and control
In the setup of teeth, our laboratory generally follows the Ti F© system developed
by Karl-Heinz Köhrholz, which is also taught at vocational and specialist colleges.
This procedure and the pertaining criteria were taken as the basis and verified with
the appropriate control measures. Since Polident's side teeth have pronounced
occlusal cusps, they were not set-up with a lingual inclination of app. 3° as similar
fully anatomical side teeth of competitive brands, but rather with an inclination of 7°
(Image 4a).
4a
4b
4c
4a, 4b: The setup of Polident's side tooth and possibilities of control: When set-up ideally, the molars
only have a slight lingual inclination (7°). The lingual inclination is the same with the first and second
molars, which are parallel to each other.
4c: From top view, the control pins or drills on occlusal surfaces are at a slight angle to each other. This
occurs correspondingly in both opposite quadrants and is transferred in parallel to the first and second
molars (Image 4b).
From top view, the control pins or drills on occlusal surfaces are at a slight angle to
each other (Image 4c). With a Ti F©-Safe-Guard the correct alignment of molars
can be checked in a quick and simple manner both during the setup as well as final
control (Images 4d, e). In our view, the possibility of self-control, as was performed
here during the setup, and of a similar check during the final control is a reliable
criterion for the achievement of a constant quality standard, not least in our
customer communication.
4d
4e
4d, 4e: The correct lingual inclination of molars can be checked in a simple and precise manner with a
TiF©-Safe-Guard.
Rübeling+Klar Dental Labor GmbH
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The upper side teeth can very simply and quickly be setup against the antagonists,
if the inclination of the lower side teeth does not exceed 7°. If the inclination chosen
is too high, it is more difficult to bring the palatal cusps of the upper molars and
premolars into contact.In the optimum setup of upper and lower teeth, these are in
the “one-tooth-to-two-teeth” relationship (Image 5a). The gaps in the setup can be
avoided both in the upper and lower jaw. The incisal overjet of the upper front teeth
is predominantly even and parallel to the lower teeth, both in the event of a straight
setup or individual production as was the case here (Image 5b).
5a
5b
5a: In the optimum setup of upper and lower teeth, these are in the “one-tooth-to-two-teeth” relationship.
5b: The gaps in the setup can be avoided both in the upper and lower jaw. The incisal overjet of the
upper front teeth is predominantly even and parallel to the lower teeth, both in the event of a straight
setup or individual production as was the case here.
As proximal surfaces of the front and side teeth are very much parallel, it is also
easy to model the artificial gums. The entire palatal surface of teeth is continuous
from gums to the incisal edge without any slots that would lend an impression of
false teeth. This makes it straightforward for a dental technician to individually
determine the form and dimension of the gingival margin (Image 6a).
With the individual setup presented here, the front teeth were once placed closely
side by side and once in a partly overlapping manner. In both cases, the area looks
natural and hygienic both during setup as well as gum modelation (Images 6b, c).
The same applies to the lower jaw area. Particularly striking is the palatal shape of
the front teeth. These are designed in a very functional and aesthetic manner which
is extremely patient-friendly. The palatal surfaces are not too heavily curved, they
are smooth and not blemished by tooth type coding. In addition, the arrangement of
layers gives teeth a very natural interplay of colours (see Images 3a, b). The
vestibular area can be given both a smooth or anatomic appearance, whichever
better corresponds to the patients' requirements. In gum sculpting/modelling, we
generally follow our clients' wishes.
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Rübeling+Klar Dental Labor GmbH
6a
6b
6a, 6b, 6c: Palatally, the front teeth are designed in
a very functional, aesthetic and patient-friendly
manner. The palatal surfaces are not too heavily
curved, they are smooth and not blemished by
tooth type coding. The proximal areas are in close
contact and the design of layers affords the teeth a
very natural appearance.
6c
End well, all is better
Polident's front and side teeth have been included in our portfolio not long ago. Their
setup is exceptionally simple and safe. Even our apprentices are soon able to
achieve good results with their use. The colours of teeth correspond to the Vita
Classic colour guide. The design of layers affords the teeth a natural appearance
and despite a high share of enamel colour, teeth do not look gray. The tooth neck is
sufficiently long, therefore these teeth can also be used for partial dentures. The
feedback from our clients is altogether positive, both in terms of the aesthetic
appearance and the pleasant characteristics of the material, as Polident's REF-LINE
teeth do not consist of usual composite materials, but rather use a more complex
pre-cross-linked polymer reinforced with inorganic micro- and nano-fillers.
ZT Erik Lauter
Rübeling+Klar Dental Labor GmbH
ZT Christiane Poppitz
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