Impressions are boxed to preserve the width of theborder area and therefore produce a land area on thecast. A plethora of techniques and materials have beendescribed for boxing procedures.1-11 This tip is a mod-ification of the technique and mix described byPlummer.5 The materials involved should be availableto all dentists.

1. Trim excess impression material, remove all eden-tulous areas of the cast distal to the posteriorabutment(s), and create undercuts and mechani-cal locks in the master cast (Fig. 1).

2. Soak the master cast in slurry water for 5 to 10minutes. Allow the cast to dry, and attach theframework firmly to the master cast with stickywax. Protect teeth on the master cast by coveringthem with irreversible hydrocolloid (Fig. 2).

3. Make a support base mix with an Accu-Dent(Buellton, Calif.) water measure. Mix 2 parts(26 mL) cornstarch (Argo Cornstarch, BestFoods Div, CPC International Inc, EnglewoodCliffs, N.J.), 1 part (13 mL) fine pumice, and1 part (13 mL) plaster. Mix the dry powdersand add to 115 mL water. Pour the material intoa denture flask. The consistency of the materialsshould be such that it supports the impression.Center the master cast and frame assembly upsidedown in the flask, immersing the framework with-in the supporting confines of the flask (Fig. 3).

4. Fill around the impression, leaving 5 mm of bor-der area exposed. Mold with fingers to a smoothconsistency. If the mix has dried, working timemay be altered by wetting one’s fingers and apply-ing water to the surface of the supporting mix.Let set for 15 minutes. Pour a base with a com-patible stone to that of the master cast, filling upthe denture flask. Once set, remove from flask.Separate master cast from the supporting base andirreversible hydrocolloid (this supporting base iseasy to remove with one’s fingers). Trim the castto the desired dimensions (Fig. 4).

REFERENCES

1. Hamada MO. Quick boxing of impressions with irreversible hydrocol-loid. J Prosthet Dent 1986;56:743-5.

2. Bolouri A, Hilger TC, Gowrylok MD. Boxing impressions. J ProsthetDent 1975;33:692-5.

A simple technique for boxing impressions for fabrication of altered casts

Leila Jahangiri, BDS, DMD, MMSc,a Patrick Mascarenhas, DDS, MDS,b and Donald Kitzis, DDS, MSDc

College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, N.Y.

aAssistant Clinical Professor, Department of Restorative andBiomaterials.

bPostgraduate Resident in Prosthodontics.cClinical Professor, Department of Restorative and Biomaterials.J Prosthet Dent 2001;85:519-20.

MAY 2001 THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY 519

Fig. 1. Replacement of impression and framework on mas-ter cast after removal of edentulous distal extension areas ofcast.

Fig. 2. Protection of teeth in master cast with irreversiblehydrocolloid.

3. Stipho HD. Boxing impressions with irreversible hydrocolloid. J ProsthetDent 1985;53:740-1.

4. Ritchie JR, Guerra LR, Finger IM. Simple technique for boxing completedenture impressions. J Prosthet Dent 1985;54:854-6.

5. Plummer KD. Technique for boxing an altered cast impression. J ProsthetDent 1982;47:573-5.

6. NaBadalung DP, Connelly ME. A universal boxing procedure: irre-versible hydrocolloid and magnetic strip. J Prosthet Dent 1998;80:262-4.

7. MacPherson JH, Javid NS. A quick technique for boxing impressions. JProsthet Dent 1982;48:220.

8. Kotwal KR, Villalobos EG. Simplified technique for boxing irreversiblehydrocolloid impressions. J Prosthet Dent 1988;59:741-2.

9. Machnee CH, Loney RW. A boxing technique for irreversible hydrocol-loid impressions. J Prosthet Dent 1989;62:610-2.

10. Wiland L. Boxing alginate impressions. J Prosthet Dent 1969;22:99-102.11. Broner AS, Soni A, Goldstein GR. Modified boxing technique for

mandibular impressions. J Prosthet Dent 1982;47:454-6.

THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY JAHANGIRI, MASCARENHAS, AND KITZIS

520 VOLUME 85 NUMBER 5

Reprint requests to:DR LEILA JAHANGIRI

ADVANCED EDUCATION IN PROSTHODONTICS, 5DNYU COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY

NEW YORK, NY 10010FAX: (973)972-0370E-MAIL: lj14@nyu.edu

Copyright © 2001 by The Editorial Council of The Journal of ProstheticDentistry.

0022-3913/2001/$35.00 + 0. 10/4/114264

doi:10.1067/mpr.2001.114264

Fig. 3. Immersion of master cast and frame assembly with-in supporting base.

Fig. 4. Completed altered cast.

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