If the natural teeth are lost, they are restored either fixed or removable. Removable dentures can be divided into partial dentures, where parts of the natural dentition are replaced and anchored to an existing residual dentition, and full dentures, where whole jaws are replaced. What is often not realized is that dentures require the same or even more effort in care and hygiene than natural teeth.
Due to their structure and surface structure, dentures are susceptible to plaque adhesion and thus bacterial attack. On the one hand, the acrylic with its micropores and its areas with undercut offers retention areas, on the other hand the metal clasps are “dirt traps”. These areas promote the accumulation of plaque and at body temperature these are the best growth conditions for possible bacteria.
In the end, this can cause bad breath, gingivitis, periodontitis or even prosthesis intolerance reactions. Everyone should be aware that denture hygiene plays a decisive role in the successful therapy of denture users. Of course, denture care can also be done under running water with a toothbrush and an appropriate cleaning agent, but for various reasons such as lack of manual dexterity (age!
), time saving (retirement home), a denture cleaning device can also be used. In this case, a distinction is made between two different ways of cleaning the prosthesis. There are prosthesis cleaning devices that work on an ultrasonic basis and others that clean the prosthesis magnetically with polishing needles.
With ultrasound devices the prostheses are placed in a water bath and the water is made to vibrate by ultrasound. In this way, the smallest water bubbles are created which additionally increase the cleaning power. The pressure waves in the water bath are intended to remove plaque, tartar and possible discolorations.
Denture cleaning devices with polishing needles are also called eddy current devices. Here the denture is placed in a water bath with cleaning additives. In addition, polishing needles are put into the water bath.
The device sets the polishing needles contained in the water bath into vibration, which then cleans the prosthesis from contamination. The choice of the device is an individual decision. Both prosthesis cleaning devices offer a satisfactory cleaning.
However, the difference in price is not to be neglected. Beginner devices with ultrasound are available for less than 100€, whereas eddy current devices usually start at 450€, but here a difference in cleaning is likely. Alternatively it is also possible to have your own dentures professionally cleaned by your family dentist or dental laboratory.
