[Original method for total edentulous rehabilitation based on the Ludwig technique. 2. The "Lutemat" and construction of custom impression trays (C.I.T.)].

Abstract

Regardless of the schools or work habits in total prosthesis, the laboratory technician must, following the clinical session of primary imprints, prepare the latter and make models in hard plaster, on which he will develop the individual imprint constructions (IIC). By virtue of a special device developed by the author (the "Lutemat"), the IIC is equipped with two personalized occlusal rings adapted to the particular clinical case, adjusted as of the outset according to the intermaxillary relationships pre-established at the various levels. The final anatomophysiological imprint can be carried out under optimal conditions. Lutemat can be used with most current articulators. It has three principal uses: to permit the spatial orientation of maxillary and mandibular models and to pre-determine the height of the occlusal plan due to adjustable orientation points; to ensure the development of occlusal rings to a predetermined dimension and according to a privilege clinical situation on the occlusal plan, due to a "pocket" instrument; to permit the mounting, on an articulator, of models deriving from terminal anatomophysiological imprints. Following casting of the models and preparing the IIC base, the practitioner places and orients the mandibular model on the Lutemat base. The mandibular occlusal ring is shaped and modeled according to the individual criteria of the patient. The maxillary ring is then made depending on the intermaxillar relationships which were pre-established at the clinical session devoted to the primary imprints. The IIC's obtained using this technique are truly personalized and the later sessions of terminal imprints and recording of occlusion can take place with great ease and comfort.