The denture hygiene, denture stomatitis and role of dental hygienist.

OBJECTIVES: Denture induced stomatitis (DIS) affects a large number of denture wearer patients, particularly elderly people. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of DIS among a sample of denture wearers attending a teaching hospital, in relation to denture hygiene level and method, age, gender, objective and subjective severity of the lesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 71 denture wearers were systemically interviewed and clinically examined by the same operator of their oral mucosal health and the denture hygiene practice. A questionnaire, including 20 questions was used in this study. RESULTS: The results showed an incidence of DIS in both arches of 62% with no difference between the maxillary and mandibular arches. Denture hygiene within patients was good by 21.1%, of the sample, fair by 43.6% and poor by 35.2%. Another finding proved the incidence of DIS to be higher (Rev-1 + Rev-2) in elderly patients and a significant association was found between the presence of DIS and denture hygiene habits and sleeping with dentures (P < 0.05), with no differences related to gender. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated that the predisposing factors to DIS are associated with the method of denture hygiene methods and use of denture while sleeping. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Dentists and dental hygienists should bear the responsibility by routinely providing post-placement denture hygiene instructions to educate and motivate the patient.

Pattern waxes and inaccuracies in fixed and removable partial denture castings.

It is the desire of every dentist and dental technician to produce a restoration that will fit the patient with a minimum of adjustments and certainly one that does not require remaking. Yet many abuse the materials with which they work, either through improper manipulation, lack of familiarity with their properties, or by attempting to reduce laboratory time by taking short cuts. Wax is one of the materials that requires more knowledge and skill to manipulate accurately because it has a considerably higher coefficient of thermal expansion (and contraction) than any other dental material. It often contributes considerably to the inaccuracies of cast dental restorations. This article provides a review of dental waxes used to make prosthodontic castings and points out some of the properties of waxes that must be controlled to make accurate restorations.

The modified swing-lock: a new approach.

The swing-lock removable partial denture (RPD) can address some specific partially edentulous situations better than conventional partial denture designs. The concept is recommended for maximizing stability and retention by access to more tooth surfaces and undercuts with the unique clasping mechanism offered by the incorporation of lock, hinge, and gate assemblies. Since its introduction, the swing-lock RPD has gained some degree of acceptance. However, it is infrequently used by clinicians because it is technique-sensitive, especially during hinge and lock fabrication, and the durability of the retentive element of the locking mechanism decreases with the progressive wear of the metal latch attachment. This article presents a new design for a swing-lock RPD by use of a vertical bar and plastic clip attachment as an alternative to the hinge and latch attachment. The suggested modification in the locking mechanism may overcome some of the problems associated with the conventional swing-lock RPD.