Fabrication of a Hollow Maxillary Complete Denture Using a Dental Suction Tip as a Permanent Spacer: A Novel Technique

Abstract

Introduction: Hollow maxillary complete dentures are indicated for patients with increased interarch space or severe residual ridge resorption to enhance denture retention and patient comfort; however, conventional fabrication techniques often require retrieval of a spacer material, which can be labor-intensive and may increase the risk of leakage. This clinical report describes a simplified technique for fabricating a hollow maxillary complete denture using a dental suction tip as a permanent spacer. A 62-year-old completely edentulous male patient reported for replacement of missing teeth, and during the jaw relation stage, excessive vertical height of the maxillary occlusal rim was observed, indicating the likelihood of a heavy prosthesis. To address this, a hollow denture was fabricated by permanently incorporating a dental suction tip within the denture base, thereby eliminating the need for post-processing spacer retrieval and ensuring uniform acrylic resin thickness. The technique resulted in a noticeable reduction in denture weight, minimized the risk of leakage, and reduced laboratory time. The patient reported improved comfort and satisfaction with the prosthesis. This technique appears to be a simple, cost-effective, and reproducible approach that avoids the additional steps associated with conventional hollow denture fabrication.