The intent of this article was to analyze the potential hazards and risks involved in persons exposed to prosthodontic practice. These risks include exposure to physical and chemical hazards, dental materials, infectious environment, inappropriate working pattern and psychosocial stress. The potential harm of these hazards and its prevention is highlighted. Prosthodontists, students, dental technicians, and others working in the prosthodontic clinics and laboratory should be aware of the specific risk factors and take measures to prevent and overcome these hazards.

Several investigators have studied the horizontal relationship between incisive papilla and maxillary central incisor and measured the papilla incisor distance in dentate subjects to extrapolate this distance as a guide to place maxillary central incisors in complete dentures. Based on this premise, incisive papilla is recognized as an important landmark in complete denture construction. Papilla incisor measurements were made either from the middle or posterior border of the papilla and certain ethnic and national norms have been recommended to set the central incisors in complete dentures. This study was done on Dravidian dentate subjects to relate incisive papilla to central incisors and canines and also to ascertain its shape. During its transition to the edentulous state, incisive papilla changes its shape consequent to remodeling of the alveolar bone, palatal mucosa and interdental papilla following extraction of central incisor teeth. It was found that the papilla in dentate is not always round but seen in several forms. In some it was a double papilla and in a few it was rudimentary. The center of the papilla also changes from its dentulous to edentulous state. The posterior border is a relatively stable landmark since it undergoes least change after extraction of anterior teeth.

The aim of this study was to investigate the centric occlusal contact pattern in maximum intercuspation and to study the nature of occlusal contacts during maximum intercuspation to protrusive, lateroprotrusive and lateral excursive movements. Fifty subjects having gingival recession and ten subjects having gingival clefts belonging to age group of 18-25 years were selected after obtaining informed consent from the student's population. The selected subjects were examined and the location and extent of gingival recession, gingival clefts and occlusal wear facets were recorded. The type of occlusion and the nature of occlusal contact in maximum intercuspation and eccentric mandibular movements were also recorded using articulating foil and shimstock. Chi square test, Fisher's exact test (F) and Z test were used to statistically analyse the data obtained. Among the three occlusal concepts, gingival recession was more commonly related to group function than to canine protected occlusion. Canine protected occlusion was associated with gingival recession on the labial surface while in group function occlusion; the recession was distributed equally on the facial surface of the anterior as well as posterior teeth. Nearly all subjects showed interferences in protrusive, lateroprotrusive and lateral excursive movements on teeth showing gingival recession and gingival clefts. Occlusal wear was seen on all teeth having gingival clefts and on most teeth having gingival recession. These results suggest that occlusal interferences in maximum intercuspation and eccentric movements in one form or the other and absence of mutually protected occlusion can contribute to gingival lesions such as gingival recession and clefts.

Functioning of a complete denture depends to a great extent on the impression technique. Several impression techniques have been described in the literature since the turn of this century when Greene [Clinical courses in dental prothesis, 1916] brothers introduced the first scientific system of recording dental impression. Advocates of each technique have their own claim of superiority over the other. The introduction of elastomeric impression materials [Skinner and Cooper, J Am Dent Assoc 51:523-536, 1955] has made possible new techniques of recording impression for complete denture construction. These rubber like materials are of two types; one has a polysulfide base and is popularily known as polysulfide rubber (Thiokol and Mercaptan). The other variety has a silicone base known as silicone rubber or silicone elastomer. Silicone elastomers are available in four different consistencies; a thin easy flowing light bodied material,a creamy medium bodied material, a highly viscous heavy bodied material and a kneadable putty material. This paper describes an active closed mouth impression technique with one stage border molding using putty silicone material as a substitute for low fusing compound.

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