Prosthetics - Wrocław

Dentures are foreign bodies that are inserted into the mouth. For this reason, the body may initially defend itself against them. Symptoms of intolerance include increased saliva production, impaired taste and perception of thermal stimuli, a vomiting reflex and the sensation that the tongue does not fit in the mouth. Within a few weeks, adaptation to the prosthesis takes place and the complaints subside.

The adaptation process lasts from a few days to several months. This period can be shortened by using the denture around the clock. This is what I recommend to my patients. The length of the adaptation period can also be influenced by the patient himself and his attitude to wearing the prosthesis. It is important to realise that removable dentures will never replace natural teeth and that the chewing capacity of edentulous patients using full dentures is approximately 25% of that of patients with natural teeth. In addition, removable dentures do not lie perfectly and immovably on the substrate (i.e. on the mucosa) – this must also be taken into account. Increasing the chewing capacity of dentures and their stability on the substrate is only possible by supporting the dentures on intra-articular implants, i.e. implants. Willingness to overcome difficulties, patience and following the doctor’s instructions are therefore very important.

Immediately after receiving your dentures, you may also experience problems with eating (i.e. biting and chewing food). It is therefore necessary to learn how to use the dentures and chew. It is advisable to choose soft foods and bite off small pieces. In addition, it is good to remember that in the case of removable dentures, bilateral chewing is most effective to prevent balancing.

Another problem is learning to speak in dentures. Because each set of dentures has a different shape , patients initially report difficult articulation of sounds, i.e. trouble speaking. A seplenia may also occur. In such cases, I always recommend that patients read aloud from a newspaper, for example, or increase the frequency of conversation (it sometimes seems that pets are the most faithful listeners). Specialists also recommend speaking loudly, slowly and clearly. It is advisable to move a small object (glass ball, TIC-TAC candy, etc.) with the tongue between the cheeks and lips and the teeth in the denture – the tongue gets used to the shape of the denture more quickly.

Due to the material from which the dentures are made, i.e. acrylics and metal alloys, pain may occur during the initial period of use. In this case, a visit to the dentist is necessary, who will correct the dentures accordingly. Do not make any adjustments yourself! Due to the design of the denture, it is often necessary to adjust it in a place other than directly above the sores that have formed (i.e. above the area that hurts).

The first follow-up visit should take place 24-48 hours after receiving the dentures. If very severe pain has occurred prior to this visit and the patient has been unable to use the dentures, they should nevertheless be fitted at least a few hours before the scheduled dental appointment. This will enable the dentist to determine what is causing the discomfort.

If your denture breaks or cracks, or if a tooth breaks off the denture, you will need to visit your dentist in person. During the visit, the dentist will determine the cause of the damage to the denture and try to remedy it for the future. In addition, he or she will accept the denture for repair. Such a repair can usually be carried out on the same day, or in exceptional cases the next day. Do not attempt to repair the denture yourself! In a professional denture repair, the parts are ‘glued together’ on a model. This involves removing part of the denture material and applying new material in its place . The patient does not have this option and usually glues the denture with ‘droplet’ adhesive, which results in a gap between the fragments. Consequently, in the future, it is most likely that a subsequent repair of the prosthesis will not be possible and a new one will have to be made. It may seem that this ‘droplet’ gap is very small and not likely to spoil much, but in the case of a denture the consequences can be serious. Sometimes the denture fails to re-fit and consequently damage occurs.

If the dentures have not been used for a long time or have been repaired several times, there is an indication for a new set of dentures. Old dentures are not suitable for further use.

Follow-up visits every six months are necessary, even if no pain is experienced. When using removable dentures, not all abnormal processes produce painful symptoms. For example, in the case of fungal or bacterial oral mucositis and proliferation, the patient may not be aware of his or her condition. Hence, preventive check-up visits are absolutely necessary. During such a visit, adjustments to the dentures and/or treatment of the lesions can be made and new dentures can then be planned.

Dentures containing acrylic, i.e. removable acrylic dentures (for example those reimbursed by the National Health Fund) and frame dentures, need to be replaced every five years. Acrylic elements are very quickly colonised by fungi which, unfortunately, can infect the oral mucosa, causing inflammation, i.e. mycosis. Worse still, such a condition can spread throughout the body, which can be very dangerous in the case of elderly patients or those with compromised immunity and, for example, undergoing cardiac treatment. The period for replacing dentures with new ones should be strictly observed!

At the very end, the most important issue remains, that of denture and oral hygiene. Due to the material from which dentures are made (acrylics), their correct cleaning is very important. As I mentioned earlier, acrylic encourages the accumulation of bacteria and fungi, as well as the build-up of food residues and their fermentation and decay. This can lead to the development of, for example, inflammation of the mucous membrane, cause unpleasant mouth odour and other pathological processes. After every meal, the dentures should be removed from the mouth and washed. Patients do not usually need to be persuaded to do this, however, as food debris can get under the denture. Special soft denture brushes are used for cleaning – all surfaces of the dentures (teeth, as well as pink and metal parts) should be thoroughly cleaned with them. However, too much pressure should not be applied, which could damage the plastic surface of the denture. Toothpaste or grey soap is recommended (easier to rinse from the dentures, but many patients cannot tolerate its smell). After washing, the denture should be thoroughly rinsed under a stream of warm water. It is advisable to carry out such hygienic procedures over a towel-lined basin, as sometimes the denture may fall out of the hand and break when dropped on porcelain or metal. The towel will cushion the fall and save the denture from damage.

At the end of the adaptation period, it is recommended that the dentures are removed overnight, washed and dried. Dentures prepared in this way are stored ‘dry’, in an airy and clean container. The use of a denture cleaner is recommended from time to time. It is important to strictly follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Disinfecting dentures for too long or too often can damage their delicate surface. Therefore, it is important to adhere to the recommended time indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging. Cleaning dentures by boiling them is not recommended!

Pets really like the smell and taste of acrylics. It is advisable to store the dentures in places that are inaccessible to pets. Patients who sleep with their dentures on should close their bedroom door so that if the dentures fall out during the night, the pet will not have access to them.