Page 62 - DP Vol 21 No1_Neat

PROSTHODONTIC SECTION

VITA MFT: THE ESSENCE OF FUNCTIONAL

AND ESTHETIC FULL DENTURES

Daniel Lavrin

INTRODUCTION
Although full dentures are often a basic restoration, they still
need to meet a patient’s economic, esthetic and functional
expectations. A key factor in cost-effectiveness is not only a
good price/performance ratio for the prefabricated teeth, but
also how quickly they can be combined to form a functional
unit, enabling patients to adjust without any complications.
A natural appearance of the prefabricated teeth – especially
in the esthetic zone – is also crucial for ensuring that patients
are quick to accept them. If patients do not like their smile,
they are likely to complain. When it comes to full prosthetic
basic restorations, you need teeth that can meet a variety of
expectations. In the following article, Denturist Daniel Lavrin
(UK, London) describes how VITA Multi Functional Teeth
(MFT), made of HC polymer, master the balancing act between
all of these requirements, using a clinical case study with full Fig 1: Quick setup in wax with the VITA MFT during the clinical try-in.
maxillary dentures.

INITIAL CLINICAL SITUATION
A 53-year-old female patient was a heavy smoker and had
very high standards for her appearance. She was referred for
treatment because she was unhappy with the esthetics of her old
dentures. The design and fit bothered her, leading her to avoid
wearing the restoration.Due to advanced periodontal disease,
all teeth in her upper jaw—except for tooth 16—had been
extracted over time. In her more compact lower jawbone, most
teeth were still preserved, except for 44, 45, and 46. However,
the prognosis for the remaining teeth was also uncertain due
to generalized periodontitis. Given the active infection and
financial constraints, implants were not a viable option at that
time or in the future.
The treatment goal was to manage the periodontitis as effectively
as possible while restoring the patient’s esthetic appearance and Fig 2: Minor corrections to the position of the front teeth were made in
collaboration with the patient.
basic function. To achieve this, she opted for a full prosthetic
restoration that would stabilize her condition while meeting
her high esthetic expectations. Since she wished to retain the
last remaining tooth in her upper jaw, it was incorporated into
the denture base to provide additional stability. The gap in her
lower jaw was left unrestored for the time being.

STANDARD PROCEDURE FOR FULL DENTURES
The economical VITA MFT Anterior and Posterior
prefabricated teeth were chosen for the basic restoration due
to their outstanding functionality and esthetics. The wax-up
foundation was created in advance, following all principles of
total prosthetic design. The anterior tooth morphology was
selected in collaboration with the patient after model analysis. Fig 3: After the clinical try-in, the palate was also anatomically shaped.

62 Dental Practice I January-February 2025 I Vol 21 No 1