Dowel pin positioning technique for fixed partial denture working casts.

Abstract

This simple, accurate technique of positioning dowel pins saves the time and effort of working with cumbersome bobby pins, paper clips, anesthetic needles, and sticky wax. No pins are pushed into the impression material that might cause distortion. The method (1) allows the dental laboratory technician to place the dowel pins free hand after the impression has been poured and (2) does away with many problems associated with prepositioning the dowel and stabilizing it with sticky wax before pouring the impression. With this method, there is nothing to vibrate loose, and there is excellent vision and access for teasing stone into all recesses of the impression with a spatula or brush. The heavy body and sticky characteristic of Mortite ensures that the bankers pins will not be dislodged during vibration of stone, and the dowel pins can be precisely located.