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Evidence-Based Guidelines for the Care and Maintenance of Complete dentures: A Publication of the American College of Prosthodontists
DAVID FELTON, DDS, MS, FACP,1 LYNDON COOPER, DDS, PHD, FACP,2 IBRAHIM DUQUM, BDS, MS,3 GLENN MINSLEY, DMD,4 ALBERT GUCKES, DDS, MS,4 STEVEN HAUG, DDS, MSD, FACP,5 PATRICIA MEREDITH, DDS, MS,6 CARYN SOLIE, RDH,7 DAVID AVERY, AAS, CDT,8AND NANCY DEAL CHANDLER,9 MA, RHIA, CAE9
1Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
2Stallings Distinguished Professor and the Chair, Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
3Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
44Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
5Professor, Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN
6Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Oral Pathology, Radiology and Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
7Dental Hygienist, Spanish Springs Family Dental, Sparks, NV
8Director of Training and Education, Drake Precision Dental Laboratory, Charlotte, NC
9Executive Director, American College of Prosthodontists, Chicago, IL
Dentures; edentulism; biofilm; adhesives; denture cleansers; denture relining; denture rebasing; denture repair; denture wear; stomatitis.
Abstract
The current rates of edentulism have been estimated to be between 7% and 69% of the adult population internationally. In the United States, while the incidence of edentulism continues to decline, rapid population growth coupled with current economic conditions suggest that edentulism and conventional denture use will continue at current or higher numbers. Unfortunately, evidence-based guidelines for the care and maintenance of removable complete denture prostheses do not exist. In 2009, the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) formed a task force to establish evidence-based guidelines for the care and maintenance of complete dentures. The task force comprised members of the ACP, the Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs, the American Dental Hygienists' Association, the National Association of Dental Laboratories, and representatives from GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare. The review process included the assessment of over 300 abstracts and selection of over 100 articles meeting inclusion criteria of this review. The task force reviewed synopses of the literature and formulated 15 evidence-based guidelines for denture care and maintenance. These guidelines were reviewed by clinical experts from the participating organizations and were published in February 2011 issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association for widespread distribution to the dental community. These guidelines reflect the views of the task force.
It is estimated that between 7% and 69% of adult populations internationally are affected with complete edentulism, which is defined as the loss of all permanent teeth.1 Additionally, 26% of the U.S. population between the ages of 65 and 74 years are edentulous, and low income and education levels have the highest correlation with tooth loss.2–4 While the incidence of complete edentulism in the United States continues to decline (approximately 6% between 1988 and 2000,5 continued growth in the population strongly suggests that edentulism rates will remain constant or increase over the next few decades.6 However, with the increasing need an...
