Total dentures are medical devices fabricated with the help of the dental technician’s laboratory for the purpose of replacing soft and hard tissues lost following the installation of total edentulism.
In this article, we will discuss some important recommendations on the use of total dentures.
We can lose teeth due to complications of carious processes with massive coronal and root destruction, periodontal pathologies or severe trauma.
More frequently, trauma only causes partial edentulousness of the patient, being localized to a specific tooth or group of teeth.
Total dentures are applied when the arches have lost all the dental units, and in order to maintain them, a series of principles must be respected, by the doctor and by the patient.
No prosthetic work will ever be able to replace 100% of the comfort of natural teeth, let alone a full denture that also has a larger volume.
Components
Such a prosthetic restoration consists of the following elements:
The base – is made of acrylate in the color of the oral mucosa, covers the edentulous ridges and supporting surfaces and ensures the stability of the entire denture. The occlusal edges will be fitted to the base, into which the teeth will be inserted.
Artificial teeth – will be chosen according to the particularities of the oral cavity, the patient’s wishes and play a major role in restoring the basic functions of the dento-maxillary apparatus, such as mastication, swallowing and phonation.
The indications for patients with full dentures must be strictly observed, because in the first phase, the adaptation of muscle and perioral structures to the new conditions will be deficient.
Also, from the very first hours after wearing the prosthesis, the patient should be aware of any change in texture or sensitivity:
Recommendations and indications
It is recommended that the patient wears the prosthesis continuously for the first 24 hours, as he/she will see the doctor the next day for an initial assessment of the soft tissue condition.
The patient will initially have the sensation of a full mouth – depending on how long the patient has been edentulous, the adaptation with the new prosthetic work may take longer or shorter so the sensation of an oversized body but also hypersalivation are normal symptoms.
In the first weeks, a decrease in the perception of taste and temperature of food may be observed. For this, it is advisable to eat hot food with a stronger, more spicy flavor.
Phonation training may take some time until it is close to perfection, but by reading aloud some texts and repeating words that are pronounced with difficulty, this function will stabilize more quickly.
Another problem for total denture wearers is how to eat.
In this respect, the patient should be well guided because chewing with full dentures can be problematic at first.
It is therefore recommended to cut the food and place it in both sides of the mouth, as one-sided chewing leads to the denture coming off the opposite side.
Incision is contraindicated because biting with the front teeth leads to mobilization of the denture and damage to the gums. Also, sticky foods should be excluded from the patient’s diet.
It will take some time for the chewing reflexes to educate and the muscles to help keep the dentures in place. But with patience, the patient’s desired results will be achieved.
Determinants for successful prosthetic treatment:
Selecting the right patients: To maximize the benefits of total dentures, it is important that they are only used in cases where patients have exhausted all other treatment options.
Patients should also be well informed about the benefits and risks of total prostheses and be able to meet the postoperative and rehabilitation requirements.
Pre-operative training: Before surgery, patients should be trained in rehabilitation exercises, breathing techniques and prosthesis care to reduce the risk of post-operative complications and improve recovery.
Precise surgical procedures: During the surgical procedure, it is important that surgeons use precise techniques and pay attention to detail to minimize the risk of postoperative errors and complications.
Postoperative pain control: Postoperative pain control is essential to enable the patient to meet rehabilitation requirements and recover as quickly as possible. It is important that patients take prescribed medications and follow the treatment plan to reduce pain and inflammation.
Postoperative rehabilitation: Postoperative rehabilitation should be tailored to the patient’s individual needs and should include exercises to improve mobility, strength and flexibility, as well as education about prosthesis care and prevention of complications.
Long-term monitoring: Patients with total prostheses should be monitored long-term to detect possible complications, such as the development of lesions or malocclusion, and to ensure proper functioning of the prosthesis.
Conclusion:
The use of total prostheses can significantly improve patients’ quality of life.
Understanding and following these recommendations can reduce the risk of complications and improve surgical outcomes.
Appropriate patient selection, preoperative training, precise surgical procedures, postoperative pain control, personalized rehabilitation and long-term follow-up are all important elements in the care of patients with total prostheses.
It is important that patients are informed about the benefits and risks of total prostheses and have realistic expectations regarding the recovery process.
They should also follow their doctor’s instructions regarding rehabilitation and prosthesis care.
Finally, recommendations on the use of total prostheses are important to ensure the fastest possible recovery with the fewest complications for patients.
It is important that all those involved in the care of patients with total prostheses work together to ensure the best outcomes for patients and to support them in their recovery process.
