An impression(s), if required, should be appropriately itemised. These item numbers involve repairing the elements of a denture:
- The clasp (or clip or wire) to hold the denture to the teeth
- The teeth on the denture
- The base (or foundation) made usually of acrylic (but can be of flexible acrylic), to hold it all together!
761 Reattaching pre-existing clasp to denture
762 Replacing/adding clasp to denture – per clasp
763 Repairing broken base of a complete denture
764 Repairing broken base of a partial denture
765 Replacing/adding new tooth on denture – per tooth
766 Reattaching existing tooth on denture – per tooth
768 Adding tooth to partial denture to replace an extracted or decoronated tooth (i.e. a root stump) – per tooth – add 736 if this is done at the time of the tooth is removal. This is able to be done if a model of the tooth with the denture is made before it is removed. The lab then removes the tooth off the model and adds the new denture tooth. The modified denture is returned ready to replace the natural tooth immediately it is removed.
769 Repair or addition to metal casting or frame of a denture. This is a complex procedure which may require the dismantling the denture of its acrylic elements including the teeth. Other item numbers may be need such as impressions.
Next week: Dentist at large -Dr Yashin’s trip to the USA – Part 1