Background: Complete denture fabrication remains challenging, particularly in first-time edentulous patients, due to difficulties in achieving optimal retention, stability, and patient adaptation. Accurate transfer of maxillomandibular relations and functional impression techniques are essential to improve clinical outcomes. Purpose: This case report presents a clinical workflow for complete denture rehabilitation using a semi-adjustable articulator combined with centric tray, gnatometer-assisted jaw relation recording, closed-mouth functional impression, and the neutral zone technique. Case Description: A 66-year-old female patient presented with complete edentulism of the maxilla and mandible and no previous experience with dentures. Anatomical impressions were obtained, followed by tentative vertical dimension determination using a centric tray. Facebow transfer was performed to mount the maxillary cast on a semi-adjustable articulator. Functional impressions were made using a closed-mouth technique to achieve optimal peripheral seal. Definitive jaw relations were recorded using a gnatometer with gothic arch tracing to determine centric relation and protrusive movement. The neutral zone was recorded to guide tooth arrangement and denture base contouring. Teeth were arranged following bilateral balanced occlusion principles, and definitive acrylic dentures were fabricated. Results: The dentures demonstrated good retention, stability, and esthetics. The patient reported satisfactory comfort, improved phonetics, and the ability to chew effectively without denture dislodgement during follow-up visits. Conclusion: The integration of centric tray, gnatometer-assisted jaw relation recording, closed-mouth impression, and neutral zone technique using a semi-adjustable articulator can enhance the accuracy of complete denture fabrication and facilitate patient adaptation, particularly in first-time edentulous patients.
Hartono et al. (Wed,) studied this question.