REVIEW ARTICLE

POST INSERTION PROBLEMS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT IN COMPLETE

DENTURE
Honey Jethlia, Ankur Jethlia, Naveen Raj P, Ashish Meshram, Neha Sharma

1. Senior Lecturer, Department of Prosthodontics, Daswani Dental College and Research Center, Kota
Rajasthan
2. Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Daswani Dental College and Research Center,
Kota Rajasthan
3. Senior Lecturer, Department of Prosthodontics, SMBT Dental College, Sangamner Taluka
4. Senior Lecturer, Department of Prosthodontics, SMBT Dental College, Sangamner Taluka
5. Tutor, Department of Prosthodontics, Daswani Dental College and Research Center, Kota Rajasthan

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Honey Jethlia, Senior Lecturer,
Dept of Prosthodontics
Daswani Dental College and Research Center,
Kota , Rajasthan
E-mail: drhoney_82@yahoo.co.in
Ph: 0091 9901920537

ABSTRACT: Edentulism is considered a poor health outcome and may compromise the quality
of life. Although the number of adult losing their natural teeth is diminishing, there are still large
numbers of edentulous adults in the population. Many patients experience difficulties in
wearing or using dentures. In some cases they may not be prepared to accept the limited
efficiency of dentures when compared to natural teeth they replace. Patient satisfaction is
critical determinant in the success or failure of complete denture therapy. The prosthodontist
needs a thorough knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology and psychology to treat these
problems. This article is intended to assist practitioners in the management of those problems
that in our experience occur most frequently.
KEY WORDS: Post insertion, Denture stomatitis, complete dentures, discomfort.

INTRODUCTION: Denture insertion represents the effort of series of carefully considered and
exacting procedure on part of prosthodontist. The majority of patients with complete dentures
are apparently well satisfied. According to Yoshizumi, Langer and Sheppard, satisfaction and
comfort rate in good quality complete dentures varied between 69% - 85%.1 Unfortunately a
small percentage of patients persistently seek adjustments. The sequence of denture
adjustments, reline, remake can develop into a cycle with some individuals.

PERIODIC RECALL APPOINTMENTS FOR ORAL EXAMINATION 2, 3: The complete denture

service cannot be adequate unless patients are cared for after the dentures are placed in the
mouth. In many instances the most crucial time in the patient’s perception of success and failure
of denture is the adjustment period. Every denture wearing patient should be in a recall
program, just as any other dental patient. Boucher has advised recall appointments immediately
24 hour post insertion and periodic check up phase. Sharry has advised four recall
appointments after10 days, 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 3months consequently from denture
placement.

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POST INSERTION PROBLEMS CAN BE BROADLY GROUPED INTO 4:

1. Looseness of dentures
i. Decreased retentive forces
ii. Increased displacing forces.
2. Discomfort associated with dentures
i. Related to impression surface of denture
ii. Related to occlusal surface
iii. Related to polished surface
iv. Related to possible systemic association
3. Support problems
4. Problems associated with retention and stability
5. Other difficulties
i. Noise on eating and speaking.
ii. Speech problems.
iii. Eating difficulties.
i. Altered taste sensation.
ii. Gagging (nausea).

1. LOOSE DENTURE: Sheppard 5 revealed denture looseness as the main cause of

complaint of denture wearers. This is more commonly associated with lower
denture and usually brought to the dentist attention either soon after the
dentures are placed or following a period of successful wear when the dentures
are nearing the end of useful life.

CAUSES OF LOOSE DENTURES

i. Decreased retentive forces4
a. Lack of seal because of border under extension in depth and width, resorption of residual
ridge and inelasticity of cheek. The functional depth and width of the sulci should be utilized to
provide seal and assist in optimal positioning of the teeth.
In case of residual ridge resorption and under extension border temporarily reline denture with
tissue conditioner if stability restored, reline/rebase denture to functional impression6.In case
of inelasticity of cheek slightly under-extend peripheries of dentures in both depth and width.
b. Air beneath the impression surface4 results in poor fit due to deficient impression, damaged
cast, warped denture, over adjustment. These problems can be managed by
relining, if design parameters of denture are satisfactory. Ensure that areas of heavy contact
between denture and tissues are relieved prior to impression making.
Warped denture can be corrected by using optimum curing cycle for acrylic resin, denture must
not be heated when trimming and polishing and resultant cast must not be over trimmed or
damaged.
c. Xerostomia 7
For individual with xerostomia, retention can be a major problem. Management of xerostomia
can be done by using artificial saliva to enhance retention and stability.
Stimulating saliva with bulky diet, chewing gum, sugar-free acidic sweets can be helpful.
d. Neuromuscular control problems4 are caused from change in shape relative to old dentures,
high occlusal plane on lower denture and motor neurone disorder. Correcting any faults in

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denture hindering neuromuscular control, maintaining optimal retentive forces and minimize
displacing forces on existing dentures can be helpful.

ii Increased displacing force4

a. Overextension of denture borders in depth and width is managed by reducing over-extension,
along with use of disclosing material if necessary.
b. Poor fit – tissue recoil is caused because of poor/inappropriate impression technique
especially in posterior lingual area and is managed by relining if all design parameters are
satisfactory, otherwise remake. Ensure that old denture is removed from the mouth 90 min
prior to impression.
c. Occlusal8 problems such as intercuspal and retruded contact positions not coincident, lack of
occlusal balance in protrusive, lateral excursions and excessive vertical overlap of anterior teeth
results in loose denture. Such problems can be corrected by removing inappropriate contacts
and adjusting occlusal contacts until balance is obtained.

2. DISCOMFORT ASSOCIATED WITH DENTURES

Discomfort is common complaint associated with denture. Soon after the dentures are fitted or
after a period of successful wear. It is more commonly associated with lower denture.
i. Discomfort Related to Impression Surface4
This may be caused due to pearls of acrylic or sharp ridge on fitting surface of denture,
denture base not relived in region of undercuts, over-extended lingual flange-impinging on
to mylohyoid ridge, or post dam too deep. Examine the impression surface for surface
irregularities by using disclosing material to identify the position and extent of over-contour
and relieve appropriately. Ensure that any trimmed acrylic is thoroughly polished prior to
re-insertion.

ii. Discomfort related to polished surfaces9.

Patient complains of pain at posterior aspect of upper denture usually associated with opening
movement. Discomfort may be due to too thick flange constraining coronoid process. Accurately
define area involved using disclosing material, relieve and repolish.

iii Discomfort related to occlusal surfaces10

a) Pain on eating in presence of occlusal imbalance is because of anterior or posterior
prematurity, incisal locking, or lack of balanced articulation. Determine occlusal prematurities
and adjust occlusion by selective grinding.
b) Pain or inflammation on labial aspect of lower ridge is due to lack of incisal overjet causing
incisal locking which is treated by reducing incisal vertical overlap and if appearance is
compromised, resetting the incisors may be required.
c) Pain about periphery of dentures, possibly accompanied by pain in masseter and posterior
temporalis muscles which tends to intensify as day progresses is due to vertical dimension of
occlusion more than patient can tolerate.
d) Tongue biting. is usually due to combination of posterior teeth being placed in lingual
position together with sharpness of cusps. Management done by reduction and smoothening of
teeth on lingual aspect.
e) Cheek biting is likely to happen if width of sulcus is not restored. Restoration of functional
sulcus width is advised to avoid cheek biting. Lip biting is due to absence of adequate lip

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support, excessive anterior horizontal overlap, corrected by grinding lower incisors to provide
more incisal guidance angle.

iv Discomfort related to systemic factors11

a) Burning Mouth Syndrome12 -Some patients complain of burning sensation in wearing
complete denture. The symptoms are so severe that denture cannot be tolerated for
more than few hours. It is relevant to differentiate between burning mouth sensation
and burning mouth syndrome. In the former group the patient's oral mucosa are often
inflamed or an allergic reaction. In patient suffering from burning mouth syndrome, the
oral mucosa usually appears clinically healthy. Majority of patients affected from
burning mouth syndrome are older than 50 years, females and wearing complete
denture. The females are usually postmenopausal women. Burning Mouth Syndrome is
managed by correcting any denture faults, antidepressant therapy, and good oral
hygiene .
b) Herpetic ulcers are caused by herpes simplex or herpes zoster virus and are treated by
prescription of appropriate medication (e.g. acyclovir) and oral hygiene instructions.
c) Patient allergic 13to denture material relate to higher residual monomer content of acrylic.
This problem can be managed by rebasing denture using controlled heat cure cycle or making
denture in polycarbonate or other non-polymethyl methacrylate resin, if excess residual
monomer is detected.
d) Denture stomatitis14 (Denture-sore mouth, Inflammatory papillary hyperplasia, Chronic
atrophic candidiasis) In present day population evidence of denture stomatitis is 50% among
complete denture wearer. Chief complaint is burning or itching sensation of palatal mucosa.
Usually has frictional element (ill-fitting denture) plus opportunistic candidal infection. Treated
by advising tissue conditioner and cleaning of denture by scrubbing and soaking in hypochlorite
solution is recommended. Antifungal therapy may also be required.

3. SUPPORT PROBLEMS:
a.) Fibrous displaceable ridge15 as forces of mastication cause denture to sink into and tilt on
supporting tissues, thus disrupting retentive seal. Relining/ rebasing of denture, giving
additional vent holes in labial/ buccal/ lingual flanges, and low-viscosity impression material
can be used to manage the problem.
b) Bony prominence covered by thin mucosa 4 (e.g. Tori, maxillary midline suture) denture rock
over the prominence which may be covered with inflamed tissue. It is corrected by providing
optimum balanced occlusal contacts to prevent rocking over the fulcrum tissues.
c). Pain avoidance mechanisms - To relieve pain produced by denture, tongue/cheeks lift
appliance away from tissue or patient uses excessive amounts of fixative, or self applied reline
material in attempt to relieve contact with supporting tissues. Eliminating the cause of pain is
important.
d). Resorbed ridge16 results in little resistance to forces in lateral and anteroposterior
directions; hence dentures are liable to move. This is treated by allowing optimal border
extension in depth and width, considering endosseous implants and surgical deepening of
sulcus: if bone is insufficient for implants.

4. PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH RETENTION AND STABILITY17

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Retention as related to artificial dentures is the resistance offered to a force directed at right
angles to the seating surface which tends to lift the denture from the supporting surface of the
tissues. Stability refers to the maintenance of equilibrium and to the resistance to displacement
when the masticatory forces act in general, towards the seating surfaces 18. Most of the patients
complained about the looseness and misfitting of their dentures. Additionally, loss of retention
caused dissatisfaction of patients related to function. The loss of retention of the dentures may
have impaired the patients' ability to chew. . This complication is the main reason of need for
replacement of their dentures.

5. OTHER DIFFICULTIES : There are a number of other difficulties which are reported from
time to time by complete denture patients. They are nevertheless important as they are not
infrequently encountered in dental practice.
i. Noise on eating/speaking is because of excessive occlusal vertical dimension, occlusal
interference, loose dentures. It is also found that porcelain teeth create more impact noise than
acrylic. These are corrected by addressing specific faults or remake as required.
ii. Speech problems19 are usually uncommon but presence is of great concern to the patient. It
may be because of new tongue positions, new occlusal relationships or new teeth orientation
and it can be easily managed by ensuring that palatal contour should not allow excessive tongue
contact or air leakage.
iii. Eating difficulties may result from unstable dentures, incorrect occlusal vertical dimension
or blunt teeth which results from excessive abrasion of occlusal surface as a result of adjusted
occlusion or prolonged wear. This can be corrected by accurate assessment of occlusal vertical
dimension, and careful explanation of rationale is needed while using non anatomic teeth.
iv Appearance 20 Although it has to be stressed that appearance cannot fully assessed until 4 to 6
weeks after insertion of finished denture. This is because of adaptation of lip and facial muscle
to underline denture. Management is done upon accurate assessment of patient’s aesthetic
requirements, giving ample time to the patient to comment at the trial stage or using any
available evidence- photographs /previous dentures.
v. Gagging21 is because of loose denture, thick distal border of upper denture or lingual
placement of posterior teeth. Hence management22 is done by psychological assessment if
indicated or use of conditioning appliance e.g. extended base for home use.
vi. Altered taste sensation 23
Dentures do not cover many taste buds, thus no physiological basis for this complaint Thickness
and low thermal conductivity of acrylic base material could be the cause. This is managed by
decreasing palatal cover so long as retentive forces deemed adequate.

CONCLUSION: The patient should be dealt with in a sympathetic manner, keeping in mind that
such complaints are very important to patient. A careful scrutiny based on a thorough
knowledge of normal and abnormal tissue response as well as of the fundamentals of complete
denture prosthesis is essential in treating the problems connected with complete denture use.
There are many ways that dentures can be improved, and dentists should be able to assess the
quality of a denture in terms of aesthetics, support, retention, stability, occlusion, vertical
dimension and extension of the denture bases.

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