The Role of Denture Base Characterization: A Good Option to Improve the Aesthetic Outcome of the Treatment with Implant-Retained Over Dentures

In spite the literature has been reported that the number of total edentulous people have declined, the number of complete edentulous patients who need rehabilitation with dentures is still high [1]. The loss of all natural teeth causes several negative social effects and the fabrication of complete denture that is as similar as possible to the real condition is essential to obtain the success in this modality of treatment.

In several cases, the continuous resorption of alveolar bone after the dental extraction causes instability to complete denture, mainly for mandibular type and this reabsorption results in a small area for prosthesis resting. In this context, dental implants have been used as the best treatment option for rehabilitating of edentulous patients, significantly improving the retention and stability as well as the masticatory efficiency and maximum bite force and patients' satisfaction [2].

The process of tooth selection, tooth arrangement and characterization of the denture bases meticulously performed is the key to achieve an aesthetic outcome of excellence [3]. The characterization of the denture bases is defined, according to glossary of prosthodontics terms, as the modification of the form and color of the denture base and teeth to produce a more lifelike appearance [4]. Several methods have been reported for the reproduction of gingival characterization in dentures [5]. Basically, the characterization of the denture base may be performed of two ways. The first one, the staining of different colors is incorporated into the resin material during the denture acrilyzation process, namely, the staining can be done on the internal surface [5]. The second one, the resin is stained on its outermost surface after the prosthesis polymerization, namely, the staining can be done on the external surface [5].

Figures 1 and 2 show the difference of a denture base with and without base characterization. In spite prostheses without characterization might have a satisfactory appearance; the aesthetic result after denture base characterization is much more satisfactory. Unfortunately, until now, denture base characterization has not been widely accepted or performed by prosthodontics [6]. Therefore, we would like to highlight the importance of the application this technique to improve the aesthetic outcome of the treatment with implant over dentures and, consequently, improve the patient’s satisfaction.

Figure 1: Maxillary complete denture and implant-retained mandibular over denture without denture base characterization.

Figure 2: Maxillary complete denture and implant-retained mandibular over denture with denture base characterization.