Full denture restoration is one of the important means in modern oral rehabilitation to restore oral function and facial beauty of patients with edentulous teeth. With the aging of China's population, more and more elderly people are facing the problem of edentulous teeth. Full denture restoration technology has been widely used in the elderly group because of its wide range of adaptability, relatively low cost and mature operation.
1. The current situation and impact of edentulism in the elderly
According to epidemiological surveys, the tooth loss rate among the elderly over 60 years old increases significantly, and a considerable number of them have bilateral or complete tooth loss . Tooth loss not only affects the chewing function, but also directly affects pronunciation, facial aesthetics and mental health.
Due to the decline of physical functions, the oral environment of the elderly gradually deteriorates. In addition, certain systemic diseases (such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease) have adverse effects on oral health, which makes it more likely to cause problems such as periodontal tissue recession and alveolar bone absorption . Therefore, in the oral restoration treatment of the elderly, their general condition and oral tissue conditions must be fully considered.
2. Basic principles and methods of complete denture restoration
Complete denture refers to a removable restoration used to repair complete tooth loss. Its basic structure includes base, artificial teeth and retention structure. The production process mainly includes: initial oral impression, individual tray preparation, functional impression, upper and lower jaw relationship recording, trial wearing, denture processing and insertion .
In denture design, personalized design must be carried out based on the patient's oral mucosal support capacity, alveolar ridge absorption degree and jaw position relationship. Good retention and stability are the key to successful wearing of dentures , and these factors are particularly important in oral restoration for the elderly.
3. Analysis of the adaptability of complete dentures to the elderly
1. Advantages Analysis
Suitable for a wide range of people : Suitable for most edentulous elderly people, especially those who cannot accept implant restoration due to economic conditions or systemic diseases.
Improve chewing and speech functions : Complete dentures can effectively restore basic chewing functions, improve nutrition intake efficiency, and enhance the clarity of language expression.
Restore facial contours : By supporting facial soft tissues, it can alleviate aging symptoms such as facial depression and deepening of wrinkles caused by tooth loss in the elderly.
Reversibility and easy maintenance : Full dentures are removable devices, which are easy to clean and adjust, and can be repaired at any time later.
2. Existing Challenges
Limited retention : The alveolar bone of some elderly people is severely absorbed, resulting in poor stability of dentures, which require edge sealing design or adhesives to assist retention.
Long adaptation period : The elderly have a lower acceptance of dentures and may experience nausea, foreign body sensation, chewing weakness and other discomfort symptoms during the adaptation process.
Oral mucosa is fragile : The mucosal tissue of the elderly degenerates, and wearing dentures for a long time may cause complications such as mucosal ulcers and denture stomatitis.
Limited functional recovery : Compared with natural teeth or implant dentures, the chewing efficiency of complete dentures is usually only about 30%.
4. Key factors to improve the success rate of complete denture restoration
1. Accurate impression taking
The accuracy of the impression is directly related to the fit and retention of the denture. The use of individual trays and functional impression technology can better replicate the dynamic morphology of the patient's oral tissue and improve the coordination between the denture and the oral mucosa.
2. Personalized bite design
In the elderly, the function of the masticatory muscles degenerates and the temporomandibular joint may have lesions. Therefore, it is necessary to scientifically evaluate the position of the occlusal plane, the distribution of occlusal forces and the jaw relationship , design a stable and balanced occlusal relationship, and reduce denture sliding and chewing disorders.
3. High-quality material selection
Modern denture materials include thermosetting resins, ceramic teeth, composite resin teeth, etc. Different materials have their own advantages in hardness, wear resistance, and aesthetics . For the elderly, priority should be given to materials that are lightweight, durable, and highly biocompatible .
4. Regular review and adjustment
After wearing dentures, you need to go for regular follow-up visits to adjust the high points in time, repair the damaged parts, and receive oral hygiene guidance to avoid secondary lesions caused by long-term discomfort.
5. Comparison and selection suggestions with implant dentures
Although implant dentures have stronger retention and chewing function, for the elderly with poor general condition or limited financial capacity, full dentures are still the preferred restoration solution . The following is a brief comparison:
| project | Complete dentures | Implant Dentures |
|---|---|---|
| Indications | widely | Have a certain general health requirement |
| Retention | generally | good |
| cost | Lower | Higher |
| Need for surgery | none | Oral surgery required |
| Adjustment and maintenance | Easy | Professional equipment support is required |
Therefore, when formulating a restorative plan for elderly patients, the optimal treatment strategy should be tailored based on a comprehensive assessment of their overall health status, oral conditions, economic capabilities, and individual expectations .
Beauty Encyclopedia Tips:
Full denture restoration is a mature, economical and widely applicable restoration method for elderly edentulous patients. It has important clinical significance and practical value. However, during its implementation, it is necessary to fully consider the special physiological and psychological characteristics of the elderly and focus on the humanization and individualization of denture design and use.
Clinical physicians should strengthen communication with patients, guide them to establish correct expectations and usage habits, and do a good job of tracking and maintaining dentures after wearing, so as to truly achieve the goal of restoring oral function, improving quality of life, and enhancing the happiness of the elderly .