Problems from dentures

Many conditions are picked up visually without the need for x-rays, but are not always noticed by the individual who has it. And some conditions are not noticed until they cause pain and have become much more complex to treat. The following case is a perfect example why individuals with complete dentures should still go for annual checkups with their dentist.

Case #1: Epulis Fissuratum

The following individual came in because her top denture was not fitting properly and was getting sore on the top left side. Upon examination it was revealed the the loose denture had been digging into the soft tissue resulting in an ulcer (white part in the center) with overgrown tissue along its border (bulge between white spot and mirror). At this stage the treatment required was a denture adjustment, and then fabrication of a new denture once the area healed (roughly 2 months). Fortunately this case was caught early enough that adjusting the denture allowed healing to occur. If this was allowed to progress, this could have required corrective surgery as well.

In some cases, sores like the above could be cancerous. One of the main ways of differentiating between cancer and a denture sore is the rate of growth. Oral cancer is very aggressive and fast growing. Denture sores will have a trigger spot from the denture and develop to this size much more slowly. With regular checkups, rate of growth can be determined to help aid in diagnosis and appropriate treatment, as delay in treatment of oral cancer can often have disastrous results.

Case #2:  Ulcer With Bone Exposure

Dentures can cause sores that stimulate excess tissue growth, like in Case #1, or they can cause sores that cause tissue degradation as seen in the photo below. This individual had a denture that was digging into the tissue along the inside of his lower jaw (beside his tongue). Unfortunately this sore was allowed to sit too long and what started as a mild sore spot turned into a large area of exposed bone. This can be very painful, prone to infection, and can be very complex and costly to repair. Fortunately for this gentleman, the area completely healed with adjustment of the denture, salt water rinses, and minimizing use of the denture, and about a month of healing. All of which could have been reduced to a quick adjustment and a couple days of healing if treated right away.