After a period of healing, artificial teeth are attached to the implants. Implants are not readily removable. The potential for infection at these sites warrants scrupulous attention to oral hygiene. A partial denture, typically an appliance with clasps that snap over abutment teeth, may be removed for cleaning. Part of the occlusal stress is borne by the soft tissues under the denture, often on both sides of the jaw.
Complete dentures are removable appliances used when no teeth remain.
They help a patient chew and improve speech and appearance, but they do not provide the efficiency or tactile sensations of good natural dentition. Generally, all removable dental appliances are removed before throat surgery, general anesthesia, or convulsive shock therapy so that they are not lost, broken, aspirated, or swallowed during the procedure. On removal, they should be stored in water to prevent dimensional changes that may occur with drying. However, some anesthesiologists believe that leaving appliances in place aids the passage of an airway tube, keeps the face in a more normal shape so that the mask fits better, prevents natural teeth from injuring the opposing gingiva of a completely edentulous jaw, and does not interfere with laryngoscopy. All rights reserved.