Full denture restoration is one of the important treatment methods in the field of oral rehabilitation. It is mainly used to restore the chewing function, speech function and facial aesthetics of patients with complete edentulousness. It is of great significance to improve the quality of life of patients. Understanding its applicable population and indications is the prerequisite for maximizing the treatment effect.
1. Definition and classification of complete dentures
Complete dentures are prostheses for patients who have completely lost their upper and lower natural teeth . They are usually made of acrylic resin and can be divided into two categories: traditional complete dentures and immediate dentures.
Traditional complete dentures : These are made after all natural teeth have been removed and healing has completed.
Immediate dentures : Dentures are installed on the same day as tooth extraction and are suitable for patients who do not want to go through the edentulous period.
In recent years, implant-supported complete dentures have become increasingly popular, providing patients with a more stable restorative option.
2. Applicable groups for full denture restoration
1. Elderly people with complete edentulousness
This is the most common applicable group. As they age, the elderly lose all their teeth due to caries, periodontal disease or trauma, and their quality of life declines significantly. Full dentures can effectively restore their chewing function, enhance nutrient absorption and improve facial contours , thereby delaying aging and preventing systemic diseases.
2. People whose teeth have fallen out due to systemic diseases or side effects of medications
Certain systemic diseases (such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, blood diseases) and their treatment drugs (such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, long-term use of corticosteroids) may cause loose teeth or even tooth loss. For these patients, complete dentures can be used as a non-invasive, economical and practical restorative method .
3. Patients who are not suitable for implant restoration
Although implant dentures have obvious advantages in terms of stability, not everyone is suitable for implant treatment. For patients with insufficient bone mass, limited financial conditions or contraindications to surgery , complete dentures are still the main choice.
4. Those who have been missing teeth for a long time
Long-term edentulousness can cause alveolar ridge resorption, facial collapse and occlusal disorder . For such patients who do not have the conditions for implantation or are unwilling to undergo complex surgery, full dentures combined with occlusal reconstruction can significantly improve their appearance and function .
5. Special groups who need to restore their facial appearance in a short time
Actors , public figures, or participants in major social events can use immediate dentures to temporarily restore facial shape and speech function while waiting for other repair methods.
3. Analysis of indications and contraindications
1. Indications
All teeth in the upper and lower jaws are missing ;
The alveolar ridge is relatively regular in shape and can provide a good basis for denture retention;
There are no active lesions in the oral soft and hard tissues ;
The patient's oral hygiene is manageable and can be maintained regularly.
(II) Contraindications
Although complete dentures are widely used, there are still some contraindications, including:
Patients with severe dry mouth : reduced saliva will affect the adhesion of dentures;
People with excessive disgust reflex : cannot adapt to the denture base;
Patients with mental disorders or cognitive dysfunction : Difficulty cooperating with treatment and adaptation process;
For those with severe temporomandibular joint disorder : functional treatment is required first and then the repair method is decided.
4. Key factors in the process of full denture fitting
1. Detailed individual assessment
A comprehensive oral examination must be performed before treatment, including the alveolar ridge morphology, mucosal condition, occlusal relationship, saliva secretion, etc. , in order to customize a personalized restoration plan.
2. Patient psychology and expectation management
People who wear full dentures for the first time often have difficulty adapting, and some patients have too high expectations of dentures. Preoperative communication is necessary to clarify the objective limitations of denture function and aesthetics and enhance patient compliance .
3. Technical operation quality
From impression collection, occlusal relationship recording, tooth arrangement to denture trial fitting and delivery , each step affects the final effect, and the operation must be standardized and rigorous.
4. Postoperative adjustment and follow-up
Problems such as tenderness, falling off, foreign body sensation, and speech disorders often occur in the early stages of wearing , requiring multiple follow-up visits and adjustments. The long-term effect also depends on regular maintenance and re-lining of the base.
5. Clinical effect and patient satisfaction of complete dentures
Although complete dentures have certain limitations, they still show significant advantages in restoring chewing function, voice, psychological confidence, etc. Studies have shown that reasonable design and individualized production can significantly improve the wearer's quality of life, and patient satisfaction can usually reach more than 80%.
At the same time, the restorative effect of complete dentures is also affected by factors of the patient himself, such as tongue muscle coordination, oral self-cleaning ability and psychological adaptability . Therefore, doctor-patient collaboration during the denture adaptation period is extremely critical .
VI. Future Development Direction
With the development of digital technology and materials science, full denture restoration is also constantly evolving:
Digital impression and CAD/CAM denture production technology improves the accuracy and comfort of dentures;
② Implant-supported dentures (such as All-on-4) provide greater stability;
The application of bionic materials is closer to the function and aesthetics of natural teeth.
These advances offer more possibilities for improving patient restorative experience and long-term stability.
Beauty Encyclopedia Tips:
Full dentures are one of the important ways to solve the problem of total edentulousness at present. However, whether a patient is suitable for wearing dentures needs to be comprehensively evaluated by a professional dentist based on oral conditions, overall health and patient wishes . During the treatment process, patients should actively cooperate, maintain good oral hygiene, and have regular follow-up visits to extend the service life of dentures and improve the quality of life. If conditions permit, more advanced restorative options such as implant-supported dentures can also be considered.