Prosthetic Full Arch Dentures: Restoring Complete Tooth Loss

 

Prosthetic Full Arch Dentures 

History of Full Arch Dentures
Full arch dentures have been used for centuries to replace all missing teeth in the upper or lower jaw. Some of the earliest examples of complete dentures date back to ancient Egypt around 700 BC. These early dentures were carved from wood and held few, if any, natural teeth. Through the Middle Ages and Renaissance, partial and full dentures continued to be made primarily from animal teeth and bone held together with wires or gold. Major advancements were made in the 1800s with the development of vulcanized rubber, which offered a flexible material for denture bases that better mimicked the functions of gum tissue. The 20th century saw even greater improvements in denture materials like acrylic resin and attachments to reinforce the prostheses. Today, full arch dentures can effectively restore smiling, speech and chewing usingimplants or traditional denture support methods.

Types of Prosthetic Full Arch Dentures
There are two main types of complete dentures used to replace all teeth in the upper and/or lower jaws:

Immediate Dentures - These Prosthetic Full Arch Dentures are inserted immediately after all teeth are removed. Immediate dentures are relined as the gums heal over the first few months. They provide comfort during healing and retain bone and soft tissue contours.

Conventional Dentures - With conventional dentures, the gums are allowed to heal for several months after extractions before final impressions and denture construction. This two-step process helps provide a better tissue adaptation for the prostheses over time.

Both immediate and conventional dentures are removable prostheses that click over the gum ridges. They are made of acrylic resin reinforced with metal frameworks or now sometimes with porcelain teeth for aesthetic reasons.

Material Used for Prosthetic Full Arch Dentures
The two primary materials used in modern full arch dentures include:

Acrylic Resin - This plastic material is tooth-colored and forms the denture base and artificial teeth. New heat-cure acrylic resins bond strongly to metal inserts like cobalt-chromium. The resin is durable but flexible, adhering well to soft tissues.

Teeth - Artificial teeth are typically composed of acrylic resin that is tooth-colored to match the natural dentition. Some dentures now use implanted denture teeth made of durable porcelain that better mimics the appearance of real enamel.

occasionally other materials like gold, cobalt-chromium or fiber-reinforced composites are incorporated for strength, aesthetics or to reduce the weight of the dentures. Temporary "provisional" immediate dentures can even be made with soft self-curing materials like soft reline or temporary acrylic.

Prosthetic Full Arch Dentures Construction Process
The process of constructing a new set of full arch dentures involves several appointments and steps:

Initial Exam and Impressions - The dentist examines the mouth and takes preliminary impressions to determine jaw relationships and tooth position.

tooth Extractions - If needed, all remaining natural teeth are carefully extracted in preparation for the dentures.

Final Impressions - After tissue healing, detailed final impressions capture the anatomical contours of the gums and palate/tongue for a custom denture fit.

Wax Try-In - A trial denture is constructed and the patient tries it in to check esthetics, alignment and comfort. Adjustments are made.

Packing and Processing - The trial denture is packed into flasks and processed using heat to cure (set) the acrylic resin into a rigid prosthesis.

Delivery - The new, finished dentures are carefully seated and the patient is instructed on cleaning, insertion/removal and other care tips. Follow-ups are scheduled.

retention and Stability of Full Arch Dentures
When all teeth are missing, it becomes challenging to retain and stabilize full dentures. Traditional denture adhesives help increase the surface area contacting soft tissues for improved holding power. To further enhance denture retention and stability, there are also implant-retained options:

- Overdenture attachments place small stud attachments or bars on dental implants to “clip on” partial dentures.

- Fixed full-arch implant bridges screw multiple implant fixtures together to provide abutments for fixed prostheses.

- Hybrid prostheses combine removable dentures that snap onto implant attachments.

Implant support provides increased chewing function, comfort and confidence for patients with implant-retained full arch dentures compared to conventional dentures alone.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Prosthetic Full Arch Dentures
Full Arch Dentures
Advantages:
- Restore chewing ability and aesthetics after complete tooth loss
- Removable for easy cleaning of the mouth
- More cost effective than dental implants initially
- Can be relined over time as facial contours change



Disadvantages:
- May be unstable and lack full function without implant support
- Require some adaptation and relines as tissues shrink over time
- Can cause minor ulcerations or sore spots initially
- Denture adhesives are needed for maximum retention
- Patients must learn proper insertion/removal techniques

Prosthetic full arch dentures continue playing an important role in comprehensively restoring smiles and quality of life after total tooth loss. Advances in materials and attachment options have improved their stability, lifespan and comfort. With proper follow-up care and adjustments as needed from a licensed denturist or prosthodontist, full dentures remain an affordable and effective treatment for complete tooth extraction cases.

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