Complete dentures functions as an artificial replacement which fits over every tooth located in the upper and lower jaw. Complete dentures serve as an appropriate treatment option for patients who completely lost their original teeth because of infection or accidents and age-related deterioration. The main objective of complete dentures serves both as functional restoration and aesthetic enhancement to help people regain comfortable eating and speaking abilities and smiling capabilities.
Figure 1: Complete Dentures
Indications
The need for complete dentures arises when all teeth are lost from either one or both jawbones due to the natural aging process, physical injuries, diseases, or other health conditions.
The denture procedure becomes necessary for patients who possess teeth that reached an advanced stage of decay beyond restoration.
The condition of advanced periodontal disease leads patients to choose dentures when preservation of lost teeth is no longer possible.
Patient disabilities create challenges in tooth maintenance that compels individuals to require denture treatments.
The change of jawbone dimensions because of tooth loss becomes avoidable through denture treatments which restore both function and appearance of the mouth.
Some patients choose dentures since they want to improve their smile and face while others seek cosmetic improvement.
Contraindications
Improper denture fit occurs when patients have severe jawbone deterioration. Dental implants together with bone grafting usually become necessary in these situations.
Healing time and the risk of infection will increase for patients who have uncontrolled diabetes or heart problems or severe autoimmune diseases. Proper stabilization of medical conditions should occur before a patient receives dentures.
People with poor oral hygiene practices might develop infections along with various types of irritation in their mouths. The dental professional should treat all current oral infections completely before starting denture fitting because gum disease or oral candidiasis may worsen the condition.
People with mental or physical limitations sometimes find it difficult to execute proper care for their dentures.
Individuals suffering from dry mouth resulting from Sjögren’s syndrome and drug effects together with radiation therapy treatment often encounter discomfort when wearing dentures.
Outcomes
Equipment
Impression Trays: Used to take molds of the mouth.
Impression Materials: Such as alginate or silicone to create accurate molds.
Dental Articulators: Devices that help position the dentures for proper fit.
Wax Rim or Wax Blocks: Used to shape and check bite and tooth position.
Denture Base and Teeth Materials: Acrylic resin for the denture base and artificial teeth.
Dental Laboratory Equipment: For mold casting, denture fabrication, and polishing.
Denture Adhesive: Used to help secure dentures in place.
Adjustment Tools: To modify dentures for better fit and comfort.
Patient Preparation:
Figure 2: Dentist explaining about dentures to elderly patient
Initial Consultation: A thorough review of the patient’s health history, oral examination, and assessment of whether complete dentures are the best solution.
Tooth Extraction (If needed): If teeth need to be extracted, they are removed, and the patient must wait for the gums to heal (usually a few weeks to months).
Impressions & Measurements: Impressions are taken of the patient’s mouth, and measurements are taken to create custom dentures.
Denture Fabrication: The dentures are crafted, considering the patient’s preferences for tooth color and shape.
Denture Care Instructions: The patient is educated on how to clean, care for, and wear the dentures.
Patient Position: Chair Position: The patient should be seated semi-reclined to allow comfortable access to the mouth.
Head Position: The head should be slightly tilted forward for better access to the upper and lower arches during the procedure.
Step 1-Initial Consultation and Examination:
The dentist reviews the patient’s medical history, examines the mouth and gums, and assesses whether complete dentures are necessary. Preparatory treatments, like tooth extractions, may be planned.
Step 2-Tooth Extraction (If Needed):
If any remaining teeth need to be extracted, the dentist will remove them. The gums are allowed to heal for several weeks or months before the dentures can be fitted.
Step 3-Impressions: Preliminary Impressions: A soft material like alginate is used to take the first mold of the upper and lower arches.
Custom Tray: In some cases, a custom tray is used to get a more detailed impression.
Step 4-Bite Registration:
The dentist records how the upper and lower jaws fit together to ensure that the dentures will align properly when the patient bites down.
Step 5-Wax Try-In: Creating a Wax Model: A wax version of the dentures is created to test the fit.
Trial Fitting: The patient tries in the wax dentures to assess the fit, bite, appearance, and comfort.
Adjustments: Adjustments are made based on patient feedback to perfect the fit and look.
Step 6-Final Denture Fabrication:
The final dentures are made by replacing the wax model with a durable acrylic base. The artificial teeth are mounted on the base, and the dentures are polished for a natural finish.
Step 7-Denture Fitting:
The patient returns for the fitting of the final dentures. The dentist ensures proper fit, comfort, and alignment. Minor adjustments are made if needed.
Step 8-Follow-Up Appointments:
After the dentures are fitted, follow-up visits are scheduled to ensure the dentures remain comfortable and functional. Adjustments are made as necessary, and the dentures may need to be relined over time as the gums and jawbone change.
4. Complications Poor Fit or Loose Dentures: Dentures can become loose over time as a result of changes in the jawbone and gums.
Sore Spots and Irritation: New dentures put pressure on areas in the mouth, resulting in soreness or irritation.
Excessive Salivation (Drooling): Dentures can initially stimulate saliva production, resulting in excessive drooling.
Dry Mouth (Xerostomia): Dentures can induce or worsen dry mouth, particularly in patients who already have this condition.
Gum Infection or Inflammation: Inadequate oral care or poorly fitting dentures may lead to infection, including gum disease or fungal infections.
Loss of Jawbone and Facial Alteration: The jawbone will gradually decrease in size following tooth loss, changing the fit of dentures and facial appearance.
Complete dentures functions as an artificial replacement which fits over every tooth located in the upper and lower jaw. Complete dentures serve as an appropriate treatment option for patients who completely lost their original teeth because of infection or accidents and age-related deterioration. The main objective of complete dentures serves both as functional restoration and aesthetic enhancement to help people regain comfortable eating and speaking abilities and smiling capabilities.
Figure 1: Complete Dentures
The need for complete dentures arises when all teeth are lost from either one or both jawbones due to the natural aging process, physical injuries, diseases, or other health conditions.
The denture procedure becomes necessary for patients who possess teeth that reached an advanced stage of decay beyond restoration.
The condition of advanced periodontal disease leads patients to choose dentures when preservation of lost teeth is no longer possible.
Patient disabilities create challenges in tooth maintenance that compels individuals to require denture treatments.
The change of jawbone dimensions because of tooth loss becomes avoidable through denture treatments which restore both function and appearance of the mouth.
Some patients choose dentures since they want to improve their smile and face while others seek cosmetic improvement.
Improper denture fit occurs when patients have severe jawbone deterioration. Dental implants together with bone grafting usually become necessary in these situations.
Healing time and the risk of infection will increase for patients who have uncontrolled diabetes or heart problems or severe autoimmune diseases. Proper stabilization of medical conditions should occur before a patient receives dentures.
People with poor oral hygiene practices might develop infections along with various types of irritation in their mouths. The dental professional should treat all current oral infections completely before starting denture fitting because gum disease or oral candidiasis may worsen the condition.
People with mental or physical limitations sometimes find it difficult to execute proper care for their dentures.
Individuals suffering from dry mouth resulting from Sjögren’s syndrome and drug effects together with radiation therapy treatment often encounter discomfort when wearing dentures.
Impression Trays: Used to take molds of the mouth.
Impression Materials: Such as alginate or silicone to create accurate molds.
Dental Articulators: Devices that help position the dentures for proper fit.
Wax Rim or Wax Blocks: Used to shape and check bite and tooth position.
Denture Base and Teeth Materials: Acrylic resin for the denture base and artificial teeth.
Dental Laboratory Equipment: For mold casting, denture fabrication, and polishing.
Denture Adhesive: Used to help secure dentures in place.
Adjustment Tools: To modify dentures for better fit and comfort.
Patient Preparation:
Figure 2: Dentist explaining about dentures to elderly patient
Initial Consultation: A thorough review of the patient’s health history, oral examination, and assessment of whether complete dentures are the best solution.
Tooth Extraction (If needed): If teeth need to be extracted, they are removed, and the patient must wait for the gums to heal (usually a few weeks to months).
Impressions & Measurements: Impressions are taken of the patient’s mouth, and measurements are taken to create custom dentures.
Denture Fabrication: The dentures are crafted, considering the patient’s preferences for tooth color and shape.
Denture Care Instructions: The patient is educated on how to clean, care for, and wear the dentures.
Patient Position: Chair Position: The patient should be seated semi-reclined to allow comfortable access to the mouth.
Head Position: The head should be slightly tilted forward for better access to the upper and lower arches during the procedure.
Step 1-Initial Consultation and Examination:
The dentist reviews the patient’s medical history, examines the mouth and gums, and assesses whether complete dentures are necessary. Preparatory treatments, like tooth extractions, may be planned.
Step 2-Tooth Extraction (If Needed):
If any remaining teeth need to be extracted, the dentist will remove them. The gums are allowed to heal for several weeks or months before the dentures can be fitted.
Step 3-Impressions: Preliminary Impressions: A soft material like alginate is used to take the first mold of the upper and lower arches.
Custom Tray: In some cases, a custom tray is used to get a more detailed impression.
Step 4-Bite Registration:
The dentist records how the upper and lower jaws fit together to ensure that the dentures will align properly when the patient bites down.
Step 5-Wax Try-In: Creating a Wax Model: A wax version of the dentures is created to test the fit.
Trial Fitting: The patient tries in the wax dentures to assess the fit, bite, appearance, and comfort.
Adjustments: Adjustments are made based on patient feedback to perfect the fit and look.
Step 6-Final Denture Fabrication:
The final dentures are made by replacing the wax model with a durable acrylic base. The artificial teeth are mounted on the base, and the dentures are polished for a natural finish.
Step 7-Denture Fitting:
The patient returns for the fitting of the final dentures. The dentist ensures proper fit, comfort, and alignment. Minor adjustments are made if needed.
Step 8-Follow-Up Appointments:
After the dentures are fitted, follow-up visits are scheduled to ensure the dentures remain comfortable and functional. Adjustments are made as necessary, and the dentures may need to be relined over time as the gums and jawbone change.
4. Complications Poor Fit or Loose Dentures: Dentures can become loose over time as a result of changes in the jawbone and gums.
Sore Spots and Irritation: New dentures put pressure on areas in the mouth, resulting in soreness or irritation.
Excessive Salivation (Drooling): Dentures can initially stimulate saliva production, resulting in excessive drooling.
Dry Mouth (Xerostomia): Dentures can induce or worsen dry mouth, particularly in patients who already have this condition.
Gum Infection or Inflammation: Inadequate oral care or poorly fitting dentures may lead to infection, including gum disease or fungal infections.
Loss of Jawbone and Facial Alteration: The jawbone will gradually decrease in size following tooth loss, changing the fit of dentures and facial appearance.
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Figure 1: Complete Dentures
