Abstract
Purpose: During the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, denture loss was one of the serious problems that many elderly disaster victims encountered. A simple and effective denture fabrication procedure for these patients is reported and discussed in relation to the properties of this large-scale disaster.
Materials and Methods: Snap impression was taken as a final impression using irreversible hydrocolloid impression material. Base plate was made on the cast using self-curing acrylic resin. Joint artificial teeth were directly arranged on the base plate in the mouth. After artificial teeth arrangement, self-curing resin, which was mixed to show low viscosity, was poured on the surface of the base plate around the teeth directly to mold the polished surface. Finally, tissue conditioner was applied to the mucosal surface of the denture prosthesis.
Discussion: The denture prosthesis fabricated according to this procedure would not be suitable for long-term use. However, it was designed to minimize fabrication time at the disaster site using conventional dental materials only and also to minimize the possible necessity of denture adjustment after insertion.
Conclusions: This technique enables a handy, efficient denture fabrication at a large-scale disaster. After the whole experience of our rescue activity, it was suggested that denture fabrication at disaster sites should be selected according to the features and properties of the district and the type of disaster.
