Impression techniques for removable partial dentures: A review

The use of the removable partial denture to restore the posterior edentulous space continues to be a viable treatment option for patients who are not candidates for cantilever fixed prosthesis or dental implants because of the nature of the remaining teeth and bony support, the anatomy of the residual ridges, or financial constraints. The construction of removable partial denture is a delicate procedure since the prosthesis is supported by two different tissues namely teeth and mucosa. The different resiliency of these supporting tissues may lead to instability of the prosthesis. This article reviews various impression techniques that aim to equalize the masticatory load between teeth and edentulous areas thus enhancing the stability of partial denture during function and preserving the residual oral structures. Keywords: Removable partial denture, Dual impression technique, Functional impression, Distal extension