Telescopic denture – A treatment modality for preserving natural teeth and augmenting retention and stability

Objective: This case report aims at highlighting the importance of preserving natural remaining teeth followed by the fabrication of telescopic denture as an alternative to conventional removable dentures. It is easy, less technique sensitive and a cost effective alternative to conventional over dentures and helps to minimize the problems associated with conventional dentures regarding retention and stability. Background: Telescopic dentures consist of an inner or primary telescopic coping on a root canal treated tooth which is permanently cemented to an abutment and an outer or secondary telescopic coping which is attached to the prosthesis. These copings protect the abutment from dental caries and also provide retention and stabilization of the secondary coping. The secondary coping engages the primary copings to form a telescopic unit and it provides retention and stability to the prosthesis. Materials and Methods: An impression was made with a polyvinyl siloxane elastomer after the preparation of the abutments, the primary copings were fabricated on the cast which was obtained from the impression. The copings were checked for parallelism using a surveyor incorpaorated with a micro milling unit. After assessing the parallelism of the coping it was finished and polished ensuring a 0.5mm margin. The fit of the primary copings on the abutments was evaluated, they were cemented with glass ionomer cement. An impression of the cemented primary copings was made for the fabrication of secondary copings, which were attached to the prosthesis. Conclusion: Telescopic overdentures have better retention and stability as compared to complete dentures, they improve the chewing efficiency and the comfort of the patient and they also decrease the alveolar bone resorption. They can be used as an alternative to conventional overdenture techniques as it does not require attachments, is easy to fabricate less technique sensitive and cost effective.