Partially edentulous patients (those who have lost several teeth) often experience disturbances in chewing function, aesthetics, phonetics, and a decrease in self-confidence. Immediate dentures (removable partial dentures placed immediately after tooth extraction) are one of the prosthodontic solutions aimed at addressing these issues as quickly as possible, with the expectation that patients will recover functional and psychosocial well-being more rapidly.
Case Study and Findings
Based on an article published in the MKGI Journal of FKG UGM, written by Adi Kristanto Tandadjaja, Prof. Dr. drg. Haryo Mustiko Dipoyono, MS, Sp.Pros(K), Dr. drg. Suparyono Saleh, Sp.Pros(K), and Dr. drg. Endang Wahyuningtyas, M.S., Sp.Pros(K), entitled “Immediate Removable Partial Denture Treatment in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis,”the following clinical observations were reported:
- A 40-year-old patient with chronic periodontitis and significant tooth mobility had experienced substantial tooth loss. After extraction of teeth 17 and 36 and placement of an immediate denture, the patient’s adaptation was evaluated across several aspects.
- Relevant direct citation:
“From the anamnesis, clinical examination, and prosthetic rehabilitation using immediate removable partial dentures following the extraction of teeth 17 and 36, the insertion results showed that the denture was retentive and stable, with no traumatic occlusion, and aesthetically acceptable.” - A 24-hour post-insertion follow-up showed no complaints, no bleeding, and the denture did not exert pressure on the surgical site.
- At subsequent follow-ups, the surgical wound had healed properly and the patient reported satisfaction due to the restoration of chewing function.
Interpretation
Based on these findings:
- Immediate dentures can provide rapid functional adaptation — chewing ability, aesthetics, and phonetics can be restored immediately after placement.
- Good initial stability and retention, along with the absence of traumatic occlusion, demonstrate that well-designed and well-fitted immediate dentures can minimize complications.
- Soft-tissue adaptation (wound closure and comfort) is crucial for patient satisfaction and helps prevent long-term issues such as mucosal irritation, difficulty speaking, or discomfort while eating.
Clinical Implications
- Patient selection should take into account periodontal condition and degree of tooth loss to ensure optimal denture performance.
- The insertion technique must be carried out carefully to avoid pressure on the surgical site while ensuring sufficient retention and stability.
- Post-insertion follow-up (including 24-hour and periodic check-ups) is essential to ensure proper adaptation — evaluating wound healing, comfort, chewing function, and aesthetics.
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Immediate dentures in edentulous patients with chronic periodontitis provide positive effects on patient adaptation. The dentures produced retentive and stable outcomes, satisfactory aesthetics, restored chewing function, and good comfort following tooth extraction, as demonstrated in the case treated at UGM.
References
MKGI, Adi Kristanto Tandadjaja(1), Prof. Dr. drg. Haryo Mustiko Dipoyono, MS, Sp.Pros(K), Dr. drg. Suparyono Saleh, Sp. Pros(K), Dr. drg. Endang Wahyuningtyas, M.S., Sp.Pros(K), Immediate Removable Partial Denture Treatment in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis, https://jurnal.ugm.ac.id/mkgk/article/view/55744
Author: Rizky B. Hendrawan | Photo: Freepik
