The complete denture is one of the most desired and hated treatments by patients as it is perhaps the only immediate treatment that in some cases can help the patient to get out of the predicament of going without teeth, but it can also be a source of multiple difficulties of adaptation and discomfort.
Actually, the title should be removable complete prosthesis since nowadays the complete prosthesis can also be fixed due to the use of implants.
Years ago, the wearers of this type of prosthesis were mainly elderly people who had progressively lost their teeth or whose dentition was in very poor condition. Today these people continue to wear this type of prosthesis in the vast majority of cases, often in deplorable conditions due to lack of economic resources or simply the absence of adequate information. Currently the most frequent use of this type of prosthesis is usually as immediate prosthesis, prior to the realization of a treatment with implants.
Complete dental prosthesis
In the complete prosthesis, commonly known as “dentures” we can distinguish three parts:
- The internal part that contacts the gum and the residual bone of both jaws is the one that provides the static retention. Its hold is based on the suction cup effect produced by the concave part resting on the gingiva, aided by the capillary effect of the saliva. Therefore, for the prosthesis to be retained it is important that there is a minimum of bone and gum and that the patient has a good salivary flow.
- The second part of the prosthesis is the upper or occlusal part formed by the teeth. Its proper placement is very important because it will help chewing stability and the prosthesis will not be misaligned. In general, the teeth are made of a type of resin that resists wear and tear for several years.
- Finally, the outer part will be modeled in relation to the cheeks, lips and braces. It contributes to the stability of the prosthesis and allows the patient to speak, swallow, laugh or even sneeze!
It is very important to note that the full denture is a very patient-dependent treatment. This means that only through practice will the patient be able to direct the prosthesis and not the other way around. This requires a great deal of patience and time. Exactly the same will be true for the dentist.
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