Some tips from observing at the offices of Dr. Gary Smith...

-Polyether is hydrophyllic compared to PVS which is hydrophobic (Yes i knew that but...) this makes it easier to take an impression as Poly ether won't be displaced by saliva and also easier to pour up as it is less likely to form a void in stone.
-We SHOULD be pouring up our own models
-Bright teflon tape can be useful to fill screw holes instead of cotton wool
- "breathe through your nose and tip your head forwards. If there is turbulence, an oxygen mask will drop fro, the ceiling"
-concept of suction lower dentures (Special impression technique and secondaries and jaw reg in one appt. Aim to produce a BTC point where the cheek and tongue come over the denture to form a seal
- Dr. Smith mixed an alginate and placed it in the lingual area of his lower poly ether impression to make pouring up easier.
-Soaking the impression-model in hot water for 30 seconds can soften the compound and tray and make removal of the impression easier from the freshly poured up model
-There is a cord of tissue along the residual ridge of the maxilla which indicates the palatal surface of the maxillary teeth to be set in a denture.
-Look at the tissue reflection line in the patient and transfer it with a purple pencil (Lasts the longest) onto a dry alginate. This will indicate the extension of the tray to the lab.
-For immediate cases, measure with a perio probe from the gingival margin to the tissue reflection line and transfer the line to your secondary model.
-He uses Zinc oxide paste from the zinc oxide eugenol impression pastes to mark sore spots. It sticks better and runs less. place some on the sore spot then press the denture down on it. It will stick to the dry denture.
-Draw a line (On the land area) on your primary model to mark the dental midline (transfer this to a line on the midline of the tray. This will help orientation of the tray in the mouth
-Always use greenstick even in partial cases as we want the most extension possible
- Dr Smith had a curved paint scraper as he always heated it on one side. He saw this as a good thing as it produced a curve of spee by using the concave surface for the upper rim and convex surface for the lower.