A removable dental (or stomatological) prosthesis is a treatment designed to replace missing teeth and the bone structures that gradually atrophy over time after the loss of natural teeth. These oral appliances carry artificial teeth and can and should be removed from the mouth to facilitate cleaning of both the mouth and the prostheses. They improve chewing, aesthetics, and speech.
These removable prosthetic appliances are attached to some natural teeth using non-rigid devices called retainers (commonly known as clasps), and sometimes also rest on the bone covered by mucosa. For these reasons, when biting on them, a slight springiness may be felt, and chewing is not as efficient as with natural teeth.
Over time, the remaining natural teeth in the mouth may shift or change position, especially those that are overloaded or pushed by the prosthetic appliances. Additionally, the bone supporting these appliances also changes shape, causing the appliances to become ill-fitting and potentially leading to discomfort or ulcerations. These issues require adjustments by the dentist and, after a variable period, replacement with new prostheses.
Furthermore, the metallic (and also plastic) components of removable prosthetic appliances can experience fractures with use due to what is called elastic fatigue (similar to what happens when a wire is bent back and forth repeatedly). Such fractures require immediate repair to prevent additional problems caused by broken structures.
To ensure proper function, you must carefully follow the following Handling, Care, and Maintenance Instructions, which will facilitate the use of your prosthetic elements and extend their lifespan under appropriate conditions.
Removable prostheses are not merely mechanical instruments; they transmit forces to the teeth, gums, and bone. Therefore, they require special care during adaptation, the duration of which varies depending on the individual and the prosthesis (typically several weeks). Eventually, you will likely not be aware of wearing a prosthesis, but it is essential to be patient and, during this adjustment period, visit your dentist for any necessary adaptations and corrections.
You will notice a strange, full sensation that will gradually disappear.
You will produce more saliva than usual, but this will also normalize little by little.
Initially, you may experience a diminished sense of taste, which will recover after a few weeks.
You may experience some difficulty with pronunciation due to the space occupied by the prosthesis. To correct this more quickly, it is advisable to practice reading or speaking aloud in front of a mirror.
It is likely that you will easily bite your cheeks and tongue, due to their tendency to enter the spaces where teeth are missing, but you will soon learn to avoid this.
Sometimes, pressure or pain is felt in the teeth and gums (especially when biting or closing the mouth), which usually disappears quickly as the mucous membranes toughen and the remaining natural teeth adapt to the forces they receive.
During the first few days, try to close your mouth and chew carefully to avoid biting yourself and to prevent overloading sore gums and teeth.
For the same reason, it is advisable to initially chew soft, non-sticky foods gently, gradually moving on to products with a firmer consistency.
To treat bite wounds (which are generally very painful), you can use mouthwashes, ointments, or soothing and healing gels, as advised by your dentist.
If you experience intense pain when biting, or if sores appear, visit your dentist immediately so they can make the appropriate adjustments to your prostheses and, if necessary, prescribe mouthwashes, ointments, or soothing and healing gels.
The placement and removal of removable prostheses is a matter of habit that is quickly learned, although initially it may require some patience until you learn the correct direction for pushing and pulling movements:
For placement, always use your fingers. Position the areas with clasps over the teeth that serve as anchors, then press with your fingers until it reaches the correct position, at which point a “click” is usually felt. Never force the prosthesis or bite on it to seat it, as this can exert too much force and damage some components of the appliance or harm the mucous membranes.
To remove the prostheses, pull simultaneously from both sides (never from just one side), hooking the nails of your index fingers of both hands into the clasps or the edges of the prosthesis (take special care not to scratch your gums).
After each meal, you must clean your prostheses and your mouth.
Prostheses should be cleaned at least once a day with a special prosthesis brush (available in pharmacies) or a nail brush with nylon bristles, and a little toothpaste or, preferably, soap, to prevent tartar formation and stain accumulation. Afterwards, rinse them very well with water.
Cleaning the metallic parts is especially important, particularly those that contact the teeth (the inner or concave side of the clasps). To do this, they can be rubbed with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol until the surface is shiny. If they remain dull or tarnished, it indicates they are laden with bacterial plaque, which can cause cavities and wear due to the acids produced by this plaque. However, if they are plaque-free, i.e., shiny, they will not cause either of these issues.
It is advisable to remove the dentures while sleeping to allow the tissues to rest for a few hours daily from the pressure they may be subjected to.
To prevent damage and deformation while out of the mouth, it is advisable to keep prostheses in water, to which you can add commercially available disinfectant tablets for this purpose.
Remember that it is advisable to use dental floss to clean between your teeth and to rinse your mouth with fluoridated mouthwashes to prevent the appearance of cavities, especially between the teeth, where the brush does not clean effectively.
Whenever ulcerations, pain, or instability of the prosthesis occur, you should immediately visit your dentist.
If any problem arises, or in any case where you believe an abnormal event has occurred, do not attempt to resolve it yourself: consult your dentist.
A check-up should be performed every six months to observe the condition of the teeth and mucous membranes, detect wear on the teeth, and make appropriate adjustments to correct misalignments caused by changes in jaw shape and tooth position, which always occur over time.
Do not allow anyone other than your dentist to adjust your prostheses. As the practitioner who prescribed them, they are the only one authorized to do so.
