Explain the four main principles of the‘Every’ denture.

Explain the four main principles of the‘Every’ denture.

1. 1. Wide embrasures & Free-occlusion

   • An ‘Every’ denture should have wide embrasures (between contiguous standing and artificial teeth). This reduces gingival contact and reduces plaque accumulation. This principle is reinforced in the requirement to leave the gingivae uncovered wherever possible.
   • ‘Free-occlusion’ refers to the prevention of any occlusal interference, which may result in damaging lateral forces. A free occlusion has no tendency for the upper and lower cusps to interlock or hinder movement.

2. 2. Designed free of the immediate supporting tissues of the remaining teeth

   • (If the denture base is kept clear of the supporting tissues of the remaining teeth the risk of caries and cut out denture caused periodontal disease is reduced.) Palatally, the acrylic should be at least 3 mm from the gingival margins.

3. 3. Point contact between adjacent standing and artificial teeth & No clasps or occlusal rests

   • (If we get rid of clasps the risk of caries and lateral thrust to the teeth is reduced and eliminates the effects of torque.) Natural teeth have a buccally placed contact with each other and this point contact is copied between adjacent standing and artificial teeth. To maintain this point contact throughout the arch, ‘distal stabilizers’ are used to contact the distal surface of the last standing tooth. These are not clasps but are used to maintain the point contact and prevent the last standing tooth from drifting distally, so maintaining contact along the arch.

4. 4. Maximum retention following the principles employed in complete denture construction.

   • Retention is obtained primarily by atmospheric pressure with a modified peripheral seal. Also by the accuracy in fit between the denture base and mucosa. Finally, maximum retention is obtained by following those principles normally employed with complete denture construction. This includes extending the denture base to cover as large an area as possible. The fit of the denture should be accurate and the polished surfaces should be shaped to assist muscular forces. If we can get a large saddle area, lateral and vertical thrust to the alveolar ridge will be spread over the widest possible area and this will reduce alveolar absorption to the minimum.