The lamp die: An additional capacity of the alveolar model João Malta Barbosa, MSc,a Carlos Silva, CDT,b and João Caramês, PhDc New York University, College of Dentistry, New York, NY; Implantology Institute, Lisbon, Portugal; Labimplante, Lisbon Portugal The alveolar model, a technique that allows interchangeability of multiple removable dies on a common Type IV gypsum dentogingival cast, described by Michel Magne et al,1 in 2008, allows an unchanged dentogingival relationship during the fabrication of restorations and has advantages over other definitive casts for making fixed restorations. Further advantages of this technique are the possibility of fabricating multiple restorations from differing restorative materials and techniques on the same cast. It also can be used with scanners in computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacture

systems because it accurately records the position, surface area, margins of the prepared teeth, margins of soft tissue, and adjacent teeth without the need for trimming, with its subsequent loss of information.1 When used to fabricate restorations in the esthetic region,2 the alveolar model may also allow for the assessment of the restoration’s translucency by using the technique described in this article. This additional capacity of the alveolar model may allow for the simultaneous assessment of multiple restorations and restorative materials with respect to their ability to transmit light and the

improvement of the documentation of esthetic clinical treatments.

PROCEDURE 1. Obtain an alveolar model from the definitive impression as described by Magne et al1 (SheraMaximum 2000; SHERA Werkstoff-Technolgie GmbH & Co). 2. Use duplicating silicone to generate a die duplication template of the alpha die (Deguform Plus; Dentsply Intl). 3. Obtain beta-1, beta-2, beta-3 dies, and gamma dies with refractory

1 Definitive alveolar cast. Dies: alpha (left), beta-1, beta-4 2 Photographic technique, showing light source position (lower left). Definitive result. (right).

a

Resident, Department of Prosthodontics, New York University, College of Dentistry, New York, NY; Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Implantology Institute, Lisbon, Portugal. b Certified Dental Technician, Department of Ceramics, Labimplante, Lisbon, Portugal. c Full Professor, Lisbon University, College of Dentistry, Lisbon, Portugal; Assistant Professor, New York University, College of Dentistry, New York, NY; Clinical Director, Implantology Institute, Lisbon, Portugal.

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Volume material (GC Cosmotech Vest; GC Europe). 4. Obtain beta-4 dies from transparent acrylic resin (Orthcryl; Dentaurum GmbH & Co KG). 5. Fabricate the restorations and make the necessary adjustments on the gamma dies. 6. Evaluate the adjustment of each restoration on the alpha dies (Fig. 1). 7. Place the restorations on the beta-4 dies and these dies in position on the alveolar model.

8. Place a light source beneath the alveolar model to evaluate or capture the light transmission within and between restorations (Fig. 2).

REFERENCES 1. Magne M, Panaghiotis P, Magne P. The alveolar model. Quintessence Dent Technol 2008;32:39-46. 2. Magne P, Magne M, Magne I. Porcelain jacket crowns: back to the future through bonding. Quintessence Dent Technol 2010;33:89-96.

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Corresponding author: Dr João Malta Barbosa Implantology Institute Av. Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro n. 50 1070-064, Lisbon PORTUGAL E-mail: joaomaltabarbosa@ implantologyinstitute.com Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank Dr Sameet Sheth for the valuable help provided in the scientific terminology translation. Copyright ª 2014 by the Editorial Council for The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.

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