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Over 65 years of age using conventional removable prosthesis

 Tooth loss continues to be a widespread problem among the population.

Over 65 years of age using conventional removable prosthesis

Tooth loss continues to be a widespread problem among the population. Although dental implants are the preferred option, they are not viable in all cases. Thus, conventional prostheses (dentures) are an alternative to solve the dental absences of many patients. 


Tooth loss can occur from different causes. For example, dental caries, periodontal disease, trauma or congenital absences, etc., are some reasons a patient may have edentulous or toothless spaces.

To preserve the balance of the mouth in all aspects (articular, muscular, functional, and esthetic), as a general rule, all tooth loss should be rehabilitated. In addition, spaces should always be rehabilitated because teeth, over time, tend to move to cover the gaps. The problem is that these displacements are not favorable because they usually cause the teeth to acquire positions that can make hygiene difficult, facilitate the appearance of dental and gingival pathologies, and interfere with occlusion (bite).
Although a prosthetic element can never compensate 100% for the advantages of a natural tooth, there are two large groups of therapeutic alternatives for rehabilitating these spaces: those options that involve integrating a fixed element in the patient's mouth, which the patient cannot remove; and those that are removable and that the patient can draw from the mouth. In both cases, the treatments can be performed with or without dental implants. The popularly known as "dentures" are those removable prostheses that are not supported by implants.

To obtain the best performance from a conventional prosthesis or denture, it is recommended:
  • - Always keep the denture clean and free of debris. The prosthesis can also accumulate plaque and tartar if not cleaned properly. There are specific prosthesis brushes and cleaning tablets that help to sanitize them successfully. Home remedies and formulas should be avoided to preserve or adjust because of the risk of irreversible damage to the materials they are made of.

  • - The use of dental adhesives helps to compensate for the changes in shape that the mouth undergoes over time and the mobility problems that a prosthesis may present, even from the first day of use. Thus, a dental adhesive can help improve the prosthesis's support, stability, and retention while reducing the infiltration of food debris under the prosthesis.

  • - Visits to the dental office should be maintained regularly to assess the proper fit of the patient's prosthesis over time. This is highly recommended in cases where the patient still has some teeth in the mouth and where they have lost all of them.

In summary, conventional dental prostheses are still viable options that cover the need to rehabilitate missing teeth. However, their use and maintenance will benefit from the use of specific tools and products and, above all, thanks to regular supervision by the dentist.

Patients must always keep themselves clean and well-adjusted and have regular check-ups with the dentist to check their condition.


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