Harmful effects of removable dentures and prices of removable dentures

 The Risks of Removable Dental Prosthetics, Removable dentures are among the methods used in dental cosmetics as an alternative solution for missing teeth due to damage or fractures. Teeth play a crucial role in the overall health of the body, especially the digestive system. However, everything has its pros and cons, and this theory applies to removable dentures as well. This article presents a detailed overview of their potential risks.

The Risks of Removable Dental Prosthetics

The Risks of Removable Dental Prosthetics

Removable dentures are often the first choice for dentists in cases of tooth loss due to advanced stages of tooth decay or fractures resulting from accidents. This preference is because their application does not require surgery, making them one of the safest cosmetic dental procedures. They do not expose the patient to the risks of surgical incisions or sutures, thereby ensuring no risk of infection, inflammation, pain, or allergic reactions. Despite these advantages, some risks emerge as side effects immediately after their application and complications that may arise over time due to any malfunction or patient error. The article will detail these side effects and complications later.

Do Removable Dental Prosthetics Have Risks?

Yes, although the risks are rare, minor, and not always considered detrimental, some patients may feel discomfort and struggle to adapt. Therefore, this article clarifies the potential side effects that might occur immediately after application or complications that could arise over time if the patient neglects the medical advice provided by the doctor when choosing the most suitable treatment option.

Side Effects of Removable Dental Prosthetics

Removable dental prosthetics offer many advantages that make patients overlook their side effects, especially since these side effects are very mild and pose no real threat to the patient’s dental health or overall well-being. The only side effect stems from the patient’s feeling of the prosthetic’s weight in their mouth during the first week and their initial discomfort with a foreign object, which might slightly hinder speaking or eating. However, after a week and as time passes, patients adapt and no longer feel any discomfort, whether the prosthetic is a full set of dentures or just a partial one.

Complications of Removable Dental Prosthetics

While removable dental prosthetics solve many dental issues, neglecting their care or the cleanliness of the dentures and teeth over time can lead to real complications and damages, such as:

• Mouth inflammation: One of the most common complications or side effects that may arise from incorrect use of the prosthetics over a long period. Infection can spread to the gum area where the removable teeth are fitted, causing inflammation accompanied by pain. Removable dentures can encourage the growth of staphylococcal and streptococcal bacteria and harmful microbes, especially if the patient also suffers from diabetes, dry mouth, continues to smoke, and does not remove the prosthetics during sleep.

If this inflammation is neglected and not treated, it can worsen significantly, leading to angular cheilitis, which affects all age groups, may last for days before disappearing, or may require medical intervention in severe cases that persist for extended periods. In such cases, the patient suffers from the spread of large red patches at the corners of the mouth and lips externally.

• Mouth ulcers: Ulcers can occur in the mouth due to the friction between the removable dentures and the gums if they are not properly secured in their designated place or if there are protrusions beyond the specified size. These ulcers can easily be managed by rinsing with salt water or medical solutions, and if they persist without healing, it is essential to consult the treating doctor.

As observed, the complications mentioned above occur only in specific rare cases of negligence and non-compliance with instructions or not consulting the doctor, indicating that the side effects and complications resulting from removable dental prosthetics are minor and only occur under certain conditions. Thus, there is no need for concern.

Which is Better: Fixed or Removable Dentures?

Which is Better: Fixed or Removable Dentures?

Dentures are effective alternatives to dental implants to replace missing or broken teeth, especially in children before puberty or cases with medical histories that hinder treatment with implants, such as patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, and weak dental bones. There are two types of dentures: fixed and removable, each with its specific advantages suitable for certain cases determined by the doctor after reviewing examinations and X-rays. The following sections will detail each type and the differences between them:

Fixed Dentures 

Fixed dentures are used in cases with partial breakage or damage because they require a support to be fixed onto. Therefore, in cases where a tooth or molar is extracted, they are not effective, and the doctor opts for removable dentures. Fixed dentures are also used when one or two teeth are damaged.

Fixed dentures consist of bridges or crowns fixed onto the teeth. These bridges and crowns are made from porcelain or zirconia for back teeth and molars, and Emax for front teeth. They are not removed except under a doctor’s supervision, so once the doctor places them in the specified location and size, the patient should not attempt to move them.

The technique of installing fixed dentures requires filing the teeth they will be fixed onto. In attempts to install fixed dentures in place of extracted teeth, a bridge is made between the two healthy adjacent teeth to the extracted one, also requiring their filing, which weakens healthy teeth. Therefore, dentists at The Dental Center prefer not to use bridges and opt for removable dentures in cases of tooth extraction.

The prices of fixed denture installations at The Dental Center range from 600 to 900 Egyptian pounds per tooth for porcelain, while a single zirconia tooth can range from 1800 to 2500 Egyptian pounds, and the price of a single Emax tooth can reach 2500 pounds, sometimes up to 4000 Egyptian pounds. These prices are subject to change with the raw material cost used in making the teeth, the number of affected teeth and their position in the mouth, and the exchange rate against the dollar.

Removable Dentures

Removable dentures are always used to solve the problem of gaps in the jaw after tooth extraction. They fill this gap to prevent bacterial growth, affecting facial appearance or hindering speech, in addition to helping the patient eat all types of food well without difficulty in biting and chewing, especially hard foods.

Removable dentures are somewhat flexible, allowing the patient to remove them at any time and are used when more than 3 teeth are missing.

Prices of Removable Denture Sets

The prices of any medical service offered in dental clinics and centers depend on the location of the center or clinic, the medical team providing the service, from the doctor to the nursing staff to the administration, and the level of organization and sterilization of the place. All these factors are of the highest standard at The Dental Center in Nasr City, with costs affordable for all categories, where the price of installing a single removable tooth ranges from 1000 to 5000 Egyptian pounds.

Types of Removable Dental Prosthetics

There are several types of removable dental prosthetics that can be used to compensate for damaged or missing teeth. We will detail these types and their advantages below:

Partial Removable Dentures:

• Considered temporary treatments.
• Made from plastic or acrylic.
• Resemble natural teeth completely.
• Have a base resembling the gum on which white teeth are mounted.
• Used in cases of losing all teeth or part of them.
• Flexible and easily breakable.

Cobalt Chrome Prosthetics:

• Considered long-term treatments.
• The most durable and strong among removable prosthetics, lasting many years without being affected by anyconditions.
• Do not occupy much space in the mouth tissues, thus easy to adapt to.
• Highly stable when placed in their designated area, not causing discomfort during speaking or eating.

Flexible Prosthetics:

• A mix of acrylic and cobalt chrome.
• Available in metallic and natural tooth-like colors.
• Flexible, able to adapt to changes in the body of the teeth, whether gaining or losing some weight.

Complete Denture Prosthetics:

• Referred to as artificial teeth.
• Used in cases of complete tooth loss.
• An alternative to dental implant technology due to its lower cost.
• These prosthetics are of two types: artificial teeth and gums.

Gel Prosthetics:

• Known as soft gums.
• A thin layer not exceeding 2 mm thickness is placed under the affected gum for a short period to eliminate inflammation and swelling.
• Not recommended to be placed under the gum for an extended period to avoid becoming a breeding ground for bacteria, thus damaging the tissues.

Supplementary Dental Prosthesis:

• Fixed on one or two healthy teeth only.
• Removable at any time.
• More comfortable than complete dentures.
• Fixed teeth are more comfortable than them.
• Contain an attachment for securely positioning the teeth inside the mouth.
• Easy to clean.
• The attachment can be replaced if worn out due to prolonged use.

After discussing the different types of removable dental prosthetics and their advantages and disadvantages, you can contact us today to book an appointment and experience the benefits of removable dental prosthetics at The Dental Center.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Removable Denture Sets

Many dentists resort to removable denture sets to treat certain patient cases suffering from chronic diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes and multiple gum problems due to their numerous advantages, which we will mention below:

• The ideal solution for patients with gum disease and weak dental tissues and bones.
• The ideal solution for elderly patients due to their many chronic diseases.
• The optimal solution in cases of weak adjacent teeth to the tooth intended for replacement because removable prosthetics do not require a support for their placement.
• Have no side effects or harms when compared with fixed teeth.
• Do not require anesthesia during installation, thus suitable for patients allergic to anesthesia.
• Financially more affordable compared to the costs of dental implants or fixed teeth.

As mentioned, there are some disadvantages that dentists do not consider a danger to the patient or their overall health if post-installation instructions are followed. However, these disadvantages may occur if these instructions are neglected. Let’s examine these disadvantages through the following three points:

• Some patients may struggle to adapt to the weight of the denture set in the days following the procedure.
• Lack of care for the prosthetics can lead to their falling out during speaking or eating, causing embarrassment for the patient.
• The psychological impact on the patient of having their natural teeth replaced with artificial ones, causing sadness due to aging.

How to Avoid the Risks of Removable Dental Prosthetics

Dental prosthetics have no serious flaws or complications as they can easily be managed, controlled, or prevented by following some medical advice and tips. Specifically, the risks associated with removable dental prosthetics can be avoided by adhering to the following:

• Clean the prosthetics at least once a week with the appropriate toothpaste prescribed by the doctor.
• Always place the prosthetics in medical solutions used for sterilization and eliminating any infections.
• Remove the prosthetics during sleep hours and place them in a cup of water to keep them moist.
• Brush the teeth daily with the appropriate toothpaste and use dental floss to remove any food residues.
• Regular follow-ups with the treating doctor.
• Quit smoking or reduce it as much as possible to avoid complications and serious gum diseases.

My Experience with Denture Sets

Many patients wish to share their stories of dental problems and how they were solved with The Dental Center but let’s mention a simple example of one of our patients in the following lines:

Mrs. Esraa, a woman over fifty, was distressed when eating after having to extract many of her teeth due to chronic diseases she started to suffer from, making her unable to eat any solid foods and resorting to drinks, soups, and soft, mushy foods that do not require biting or chewing. After consulting one of our doctors at The Dental Center and reviewing her medical examinations, the doctor decided to opt for laser dental implants as an ideal solution for her case. However, the financial cost was a barrier for her, so the doctor sought an alternative that offers the same results at a lower cost suitable for her, and removable dental prosthetics were the perfect alternative. Mrs. Esraa was fully satisfied with the results as she could eat all types of food and felt her oral condition had significantly returned to its state before the extractions. To ensure the success of your dental treatment experience, you can contact The Dental Center through our website.

Care Tips for Removable Dental Prosthetics

There are specific care methods for removable dental prosthetics to prevent damage or breakage, so be sure to consider the following:

• It’s possible to fill the sink with water or place a towel at the sink to prevent the set from breaking if it falls while cleaning the teeth.
• Gently handle the edges or clasps of the set to avoid bending and damaging them.
• Clean the mouth after removing the set after meals or before going to sleep.
• Wash the denture set at least once a day.
• Rinse the denture set after taking it out of the medical solution and before placing it in the mouth due to the chemical content that can harm the patient.
• Immediately visit the doctor if the set becomes disassembled to prevent worsening conditions leading to inflammation and oral ulcers.
• Avoid using a brush with hard bristles or toothpaste containing peroxide, which can cause allergies when cleaning the teeth and denture sets.
• Avoid using any tooth whitening care products that contain a high percentage of chlorine.
• Avoid hot water to prevent damaging the denture sets.

Tips After Installing Removable Prosthetics

If you’re looking for a healthy mouth and long-lasting removable prosthetics, just adhere to the following tips and advice:

• Continuously use the prosthetics initially to adapt and get used to them without discomfort.
• Regularly practice oral exercises that help the jaw muscles and tongue adapt to speaking and eating without being affected.
• Start eating slowly and on both sides of the jaws to feel comfortable initially.
• Maintain daily teeth cleaning.
• Ensure to use mouthwash daily.
• Brush the removable prosthetics after every meal to remove food residues and prevent bacterial growth.
• Patients advised by the doctor to use partial denture sets should stick to the appropriate toothpaste and brush designated for them.
• Preferably use a brush with soft, arranged bristles specifically for removable dental prosthetics.
• Avoid cleaning the denture sets with household cleaners.
• Do not use denture cleaners for general teeth and mouth cleaning.
• Rinse the denture set with water before placing it in the mouth.
• Ensure dental cleaning sessions every 6 months or annually.
• Regularly follow up with the doctor, and you can read about the best cosmetic dentist in Egypt through this article.