Complete dentures and the associated soft tissues.

Some of the conditions of the soft tissues related to complete dentures encountered during a period of 25 years at a university clinic were presented and discussed from the standpoint of the clinical prosthodontist. During this time, over 1,000 denture patients were treated each year. For some conditions, a method of management was offered with treatment by sound prosthodontic principles rather than unneccessary medication. That denture fabrication involves much more than mere mechanical procedures is an understatement. Complete dentures are foreign objects in the oral cavity that are accepted and tolerated by the tissue to a degree that is surprising. As prosthodontists, we can gain satisfaction from the realization that the incidence of oral cancer due to dentures is less than extremely low. At the same time, we must be ever mindful of the statement by Sheppard and associates. "Complete dentures are not the innocuous devices we often think they are." Every dentist must remember that one of his greatest missions is to serve as a detection agency for cancer. The information discussed indicates (1) the need for careful examination of the mouth, (2) the value of a rest period of 8 hours every day for the supporting tissues, and (3) the importance of regular recall visits for denture patients. Robinson stated that while the dental laboratory technician can be trained to aid the dentist in the fabrication of prosthetic devices, his lack of knowledge of reactions and diseases of the oral tissues limits him to an auxiliary role. Complete prosthodontics is a highly specialized health service that greatly affects the health, welfare, and well-being of the patient. It can be rendered only by the true professional who is educated in the biomedical sciences.