According to Dr. Hoang Ngoc Lan, Head of the Department of Odonto-Stomatology, Bach Mai Hospital, dentures are the common name for many types of restoration such as disassembled prosthetics, tooth mounts, tooth bridges and implant restoration. Each type has different indications, evaluation criteria and lifespan.
Therefore, patients should not only look at the color or appearance on the outside. A rehabilitation that meets the requirements must help eat and chew relatively comfortably, the bite joint is balanced, there is no feeling of too high teeth, entanglement or deviation of the jaw. Rehabilitation should also not cause prolonged pain, mucous membrane ulcers, gum bleeding or shaking when eating and chewing.
Shape, size and color need to be harmonious with the face, age and remaining teeth; do not cause omission or prolonged nausea. For crowns and tooth bridges, the edges must be close but do not compress the gums, limiting food stuck underneath. For disassembled jaws, restoration needs to be stable, stored appropriately and do not cause damage to real teeth or soft tissues.
In the early days after dentures are inserted, patients may feel a little uncomfortable when getting used to it. However, if pain is severe, ulcers are prolonged, unable to chew, or the dentures frequently come off, fall, and shake, it is necessary to see a doctor for examination and adjustment.
Safe materials, precision engineering
Also according to Dr. Hoang Ngoc Lan, a safe restoration must first use materials of clear origin, allowed to be used in dentistry, with biological compatibility and limiting the risk of irritation and allergies. With implants, the requirements are even stricter because the implant pillars must last long in bones and body tissues.
The restoration must also be designed to suit each patient, ensuring tightness and accurate biting joint correlation, not creating excessive force on the main tooth, implant, gum or jawbone. At the same time, the restoration needs to meet the functions of eating and chewing, pronunciation, aesthetics and not cause adverse effects on the temporal-mandibular joint or the remaining teeth.
Hygiene is also very important. Beautiful restoration but difficult to clean will cause food and plaque to accumulate, increasing the risk of bad breath, gingivitis, root canal decay and inflammation around implants," Dr. Hoang Ngoc Lan emphasized.
Lifespan depends on many factors
Dr. Hoang Ngoc Lan said that there is no common number on the lifespan of all types of dentures. The duration of use depends on the type of restoration, material, technique, condition of teeth, gums, jawbone, chewing force, grinding habit, hygiene and re-examination.
Usually, disassembled prosthetics can be used for about 5-10 years, but may need to be adjusted or replaced earlier due to changes in gums and jawbones. Prosthetics and prosthetics can usually be used for 7-15 years or longer, depending on the condition of the main teeth, bite joints and care.
With implants, the pier can last long if the bone is well integrated and cared for properly. However, the crown, bridge, or prosthetic jaw on top can still wear, crack, loosen screws, and require repair or replacement.
It is noteworthy that "not damaged" does not mean restoration is still suitable. People wearing dentures should have re-examinations about every 6-12 months to check the bite joint, dentition, roots, implants, gums and jawbone.
Poor quality dentures can cause complications
Inadequate restoration can cause pain, prolapse, mucosal ulcers, inflammation or bleeding gums. Food stuck under restoration can lead to bad breath, root rot, and periodontitis.
If chewing is not effective, patients may have difficulty eating, speaking, and communicating. Unreasonable chewing force can also wear and shake real teeth, damage root teeth, drain bones, or affect the lifespan of implants.
Prolonged bite arthritis can cause chewing muscle fatigue, pain in the temporal-mandibular region, headache, or limited opening of the mouth. Restoration bong, fracture, or loose details also pose a risk of swallowing or inhaling into the airway. Materials of unknown origin can also cause irritation, allergies, or inflammation in oral tissue.
Dr. Hoang Ngoc Lan emphasized that a good set of dentures not only needs to be beautiful but also needs to be chewed effectively, easy to clean, painless, does not damage surrounding tissues and maintain stability for a long time.
