Carlsson et al used a clinical exam to evaluate patients with complete dentures. This can help identify patients who may benefit from an adjustment or change to the dentures. The authors are from the University of Umea in Sweden.
The examination is performed by an experienced dentist.
Parameters:
(1) aesthetics
(2) stability of the dentures
(3) retention of the dentures
(4) occlusion of the dentures
(5) vertical relation of occlusion
(6) anatomic conditions
|
Parameter |
Finding |
Assessment |
|
aesthetics |
harmony exists between the dentures and the patient's face and the mouth has a natural appearance |
very good |
|
|
minor problems with appearance |
rather good |
|
|
moderate problems with appearance |
rather poor |
|
|
severe problems with appearance (plug ugly) |
very poor |
|
stability |
dentures do not tip or rotate when pressed against the supporting structures |
good |
|
|
dentures tip or rotate |
poor |
|
retention |
dentures resist dislodgement by muscular movements or attempts to lift the dentures |
good |
|
|
dentures easily moved |
poor |
|
occlusion |
dentures retain correct intercuspation and stable relation without premature occlusal contact |
correct |
|
|
dentures do not retain correct intercuspation and/or stable relation and/or premature occlusal contact |
incorrect |
|
vertical relation of occlusion |
face appears hollow and interocclusal distance is > 5 mm |
too short |
|
|
interocclusal distance <= 5 mm and lips close comfortably |
correct |
|
|
mouth appears strained and difficult for patient to close lips when mouth closed |
too great |
|
anatomic conditions |
anatomic features of intra-oral structures conducive to dentures |
favorable |
|
|
anatomic structure poses a problem for dentures |
unfavorable |
When evaluating aesthetics attention is paid to:
(1) lip support
(2) level of the occlusal plane of the dentures to the position of the lips
(3) color, form, size and position of the teeth
Based on the 6 parameters the patient is classified as:
(1) very good
(2) rather good
(3) rather poor
(4) very poor
Specialty: Otolaryngology
