1. Lab Techniques for Flexible Partial Dentures
Valplast Presentation - Peterson Airforce Base

2. 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
Valplast Presentation - Peterson Airforce Base

3. 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

4. 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

6. Visually Survey Model Visualize design Aesthetics Path of Insertion
Comfort
Accuracy of Model
Remove Discrepancies

7. Wrap-Around Clasp Most Common Clasp Hugs Tissue
Minimal Coverage of Tooth
Stability against vertical and rotational movement
Design is made with Red Pencil

8. Split Wrap-Around Clasp Separated from Flange Similar to “Roach” Clasp
Flexibility along Horizontal and Vertical Axes

9. Spur

10. Anchor

11. Maxillary Wax Relief Relief Wax placed along Buccal Periphery
Necessary on All Maxillary Cases
Use Hot Wax for Relief

12. Mandibular Wax Relief
Junction of clasp with saddle is more rigid area.
Undercut toward periphery must be relieved

13. Blocking and Relieving
Lingual Undercuts Relieved
Interproximal Spaces Closed
Obstructive Undercuts Removed

14. Final Preparation
Beading Post Dam
Etching Design

15. Duplication Soak Model Prepare Flask Pour Gel
Let set 15 minutes in air…
…and 15 minutes in water

16. Waxing After Setup
Use of Prefabricated Forms is Recommended to Insure Proper Thickness and Uniformity

17. Palatal Waxing
Soften Palate
Press to Position
Seal all Borders

18. Buccal Waxing Using Prefabricated Form: Cut Form to Size
Press to Model
Seal all Borders

19. Bottom Half Investing

20. Spruing

21. Top Half Investing

22. Top Half Investing

23. Teeth Prepared for Retention

24. Processing

25. Melting - 11 Minutes

26. Injecting

27. Let’s See That Again...

28. After Processing

29. Pre-Finishing
Econo-Cutter
Trimmer
Dark Grinding Wheels

30. Fitting and Rubberizing
Vulcanite Burs
Fitting and Rubberizing
Brown Rubber Wheels

31. Polishing

32. Polishing Motion is Important

33. Advising Clinician on Insertion and Adjustment
Partial must be placed in very hot water (150°F 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

34. 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

35. 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 tooth-shade or pink acrylic.

36. 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

37. 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

38. 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.

39. Clinical Prep for Reline
Closed-mouth rubber-base reline impression.
Pick-up overall alginate impression.
Counter not necessary