Assessment of Complications in patients Maltreated with fixed self cure Acrylic Dentures.

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess the reasons which persuade patients to receive fixed self-cured acrylic dentures (FSD), their most common presenting complaints and the prevalence of complications (clinical and prosthesis-related) subsequent to maltreatment with FSD. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: Prosthodontics Department of Bibi Aseefa Dental College, Larkana. Period: 1^st January 2018 to 31^st December 2018. Material & Methods: Using a structured proforma, data related to 75 patients, all maltreated with Fixed self-cure acrylic dentures (FSD) was collected. The condition of underlying mucosal tissues and abutment teeth was carefully assessed and recorded after removal of FSD. Evaluation of FSD prosthesis was also carried out. Results: 53.3 % of patients reported lack of awareness as a reason for opting FSD with 28% patients presenting with pain as their main complaint. Clinical complications observed were poor oral hygiene (68%), burning mouth sensations (58 %), Halitosis (77.3%), mobile (64%) and carious (46%) abutments, mucosal inflammation (58.7%), and ulcerations (30.7%). Prosthesis related complications included poor denture hygiene (77.3 %) tooth wear (46.7 %), prosthesis fracture (37.3 %) and discoloration (82.7 %). Conclusion: According to this study, it was observed that patients’ lack of awareness was the main reason for opting FSD. The most common presenting complaint was pain, followed by poor esthetics. The prevalent clinical complications included poor oral hygiene, halitosis, burning mouth together with inflamed and ulcerative mucosa and, mobile and carious abutments. Prosthesis related complications included poor denture hygiene, wore out and fractured prosthesis with discoloration. An awareness on the complications of such maltreatment among patients is required to be created in order to discourage this malpractice.