Preclinical Prosthetic Dentistry · MU Plovdiv

87. Complete (full) denture. Elements. Retention and stabilization of complete dentures -definitions.

Inside: 11 sections · 2 labelled pictures · 5 tables · 29 flashcards · 6 min

Topic 87 of 96 in the MU Plovdiv syllabus for Preclinical Prosthetic Dentistry (Dental Medicine, Year 2). The free AceMed note covers it in 10 sections, about 408 words (6 min of reading), with 29 flashcards.

In this note

  1. Introduction
  2. Who needs one
  3. Components
  4. Three surfaces
  5. Muscular control
  6. Supporting areas
  7. Biophysical (physical) methods
  8. Biomechanical methods
  9. Mechanical aids
  10. Primary and secondary retention

Introduction

A complete (full) denture is a removable prosthesis that replaces all the teeth of a jaw together with the lost parts of the alveolar process. Its job is to restore form, function and appearance: chewing, speech, lip and cheek support, and the height of the face.

Who needs one

  • Patients who have lost all teeth in one or both jaws.
  • Teeth that can't be kept because of extensive caries, periodontal disease or bone loss.
  • When implants aren't possible or affordable (implant-retained dentures are an alternative).

Muscular control

Patients wear complete dentures successfully once they learn to control them with their lips, cheeks and tongue. Success depends on two things:

  1. The design of the dentures: the teeth and polished surfaces in the neutral zone, where the inward push of lips and cheeks balances the outward push of the tongue, so active muscles hold the denture instead of displacing it.
  2. The patient's ability to learn the necessary skill. Older patients, or those with poor neuromuscular control, adapt more slowly.

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