Valplast is a flexible denture base resin that is ideal for partial dentures and unilateral restorations.  The resin is a biocompatible nylon thermoplastic with unique physical and aesthetic properties.  It allows your patient's natural tissue tone to appear through the material, matching the basic shade categories (medium, light pink, and meharry).  Patient's report that it feels more comfortable because of the thinness and light weight.  It is also guaranteed for life against breakage when fabricated and handled according to the manufacturer's specified procedures.

Special Applications of Valplast

Valplast can be effectively used in the following special applications:

Valplast Preparation Techniques

Valplast uses the Retento-Grip tissue-bearing technique for retention.  No tooth or tissue preparation is needed.  The dental laboratory requires only a model poured promptly and carefully from an alginate impression and a counter-model.  a custom tray is normally not necessary.  A custom bite and try-in should be taken for accuracy in free-end saddle cases.  The laboratory can usually complete a unilateral restoration directly from the first model with the shade and correct bite.

Insertion Techniques for Valplast

After unpacking the case, and immediately prior to insertion in the patient's mouth, immerse the case in very hot tap water.  Leave the case in the water for about one minutes.  Remove and allow it to cool just to the point where it will be tolerated by the patients.  Gently insert the partial in patient's mouth.

The hot water treatment permits a very smooth initial insertion and a good adaptation with the natural tissues in the mouth.  If the patient senses  any discomfort because of the tightness of a clasp, the clasp may be loosened slightly by immersing that area of the partial in hot water and bending the clasp outward.  If a clasp requires tightening, the clasp area may be immerse in hot water and bent inward to tighten.

If any reduction is needed due to persistent irritation, the resin must be handled differently than acrylic.  It is essential to use a fairly course grinding wheel or a parallel cut steel bur (vulcanite bur) for overall reduction.  The resin will melt if there is prolonged contact with a bur or wheel, therefore it is essential to move the instrument over the surface continuously.

Minor relief can be made with a rubber wheel or a vulcanite bur.

If there are any threads remaining, these can be removed with a sharp blade.  Any roughness on the surface can be smoothed with a brown rubber wheel.

The surface may be repolished after rubberizing (if needed) using coarse pumice, brown tripoli, and the Val-Shine polishing compound.

The grinding tools, Valplast knife, and polishing agents can all be obtained directly from Valplast International Corp.

Recommendations for Patient Care

Like any removable prosthesis, the patient should be instructed to practice good oral hygiene to maintain the appearance and cleanliness of the Valplast restoration.  The prosthesis should be soaked overnight at least three nights a week in a good denture cleaner.  Or, the patient may immerse the prosthesis in a strong denture cleaner daily for about 10 - 15 minutes.  It should be rinsed and brushed before reinserting in the mouth.