Unbiased oral health information

Procedures

Removable dentures

Disadvantages & risks

The following are disadvantages and potential risks of this procedure. You may also require some or all of the additional procedures listed to treat your condition, which can add time and expense.

  • Frequent adjustments or relines may become necessary (see "Loose Fitting or Poorly Adjusted Dentures" under "Overview").
  • Improperly adjusted removable partial dentures can apply leverage to the remaining teeth, which can damage or break them. Even well-adjusted partial dentures can apply leverage through chewing that can loosen or damage the abutment teeth.
  • Food can lodge under the denture, requiring frequent removal for cleaning.
  • Retention clasps can break or bend, requiring repairs/adjustments.
  • Some individuals have a difficult time adapting to removable complete dentures. With complete dentures, chewing efficiency is greatly reduced compared to natural teeth. Depending on how much bone remains following removal of the teeth, even dentures that fit the jaws well may be difficult to keep in position.
A removable partial denture can be stabilized by attachment to a dental implant with a standard ball abutment

Figure 1: A removable partial denture can be stabilized by attachment to a dental implant with a standard ball abutment.

A removable complete denture can be stabilized completely by attaching it to as few as two dental implants

Figure 2: A removable complete denture can be stabilized completely by attaching it to as few as two dental implants.