The advent of tissue conditioning materials has made possible a new method for recording functional impressions for denture reconstruction using the patient's existing dentures as impression trays. The criteria by which the suitability of existing dentures for use in the technique are set out in detail. A particular feature of the method is the physiological recording of the post palatal seal area using Iowa wax and its incorporation into the entire maxillary impression. The advantages of the technique include the possibility of recording the tissues under physiological displacement resulting from normal function over a prolonged period rather than at the moment of final setting of conventional impression materials.