# Three Alternative Protocols for the Refabrication of Prosthesis: An Effective Way to Use the Current Prosthesis

## TL;DR

This paper introduces three simple methods to reuse a patient's existing prosthesis to create a new one, saving time and effort for both patients and clinicians.

## Contribution

The paper presents three novel protocols for refabricating maxillofacial prostheses without needing a new preliminary impression.

## Key findings

- Three protocols were developed to refabricate prostheses using the existing prosthesis as a reference.
- Each protocol skips the preliminary impression step, reducing chair time and improving efficiency.
- The methods are applicable to both maxillofacial prostheses and complete dentures.

## Abstract

The effective use of a patient’s existing prosthesis can be an alternative to creating a new prosthesis and is faster, simpler, and less stressful for clinicians and patients. This report describes three minimally burdensome protocols for refabricating a maxillofacial prosthesis already in use. It also explains how to use the impression of the existing prosthesis to create a new one. Three protocols were introduced to refabricate a new prosthesis skipping the step of preliminary impression: (1) a putty impression protocol, where an impression of the intaglio surface of the existing prosthesis was made using heavy body polyvinyl siloxane impression material and prepared as a working cast; (2) an irreversible hydrocolloid impression protocol, where an impression of the surface of the existing prosthesis was made using hydrocolloid impression material and a duplicating flask; and (3) a digitized protocol, where an intraoral scanner was used to duplicate the existing maxillary prosthesis and print it using a 3D printer. All three protocols can help effectively skip the step of preliminary impression using a stock tray. The benefits include the avoidance of chair time in the preliminary impression step. Also, the custom tray or the copy denture made from the impression of the existing prosthesis is helpful because it reflects the morphology of a prosthesis that has been adjusted in multiple steps over a long period. These protocols can be used for both maxillofacial prostheses and complete dentures.