Suction Dentures vs. Conventional Dentures
What is a suction denture?
Suction dentures are made usually by a specialist dentist called a Prosthodontist using a special impression technique that significantly increases the retention of a denture until it sucks onto the gum with atmospheric pressure. Optimal retention means the denture stays in place and is not floating around, particularly in the lower jaw. A well-made suction denture requires manual power to break the seal when attempting to remove the denture from the mouth.
How was the suction denture developed?
1) Dr Jiro Abe from Japan developed the suction denture technique in 1998.
2) Today’s impression materials have changed. Modern impression materials have three or more different consistencies or viscosities.
3) This has allowed a specific layering technique, which is required for the suction denture technique.
4) Implants to support the denture may be not required if patient is suitable for a suction denture.
One of the most difficult results to achieve is suction or retention of the complete denture in the lower jaw. Since 1998 Dr Jiro Abe has lectured internationally and in Brisbane to specialist Prosthodontists to disseminate his knowledge and techniques.
The impression for a new denture should be made in layers. In the first step focus is on the border of the denture and in the second step focus is on the impression of the overall mucosa, frenula and other anatomical structures. Ideally, this will result in a suction type denture.
The incorporation of the Biofunctional Prosthetic System (BPS) during the manufacturing process will ensure a high success rate in attaining lower jaw denture suction. The BPS system includes bite registration (how your upper and lower teeth fit together), how the teeth are placed on the dentures (by the dental technician) and advanced injection moulding technique.
Many years of clinical experience is required to fabricate full upper and lower dentures that are satisfying to the patient. The upper (and lower) suction-effective denture and BPS developed by Dr Jiro Abe ensures good results using a standardized system composed of preliminary and final impression procedures and a bite registration technique with a well defined protocol. Without such a system, full denture treatment would become increasingly difficult and outdated. Our patients are now enjoying the benefit of ‘suction dentures’ in our specialty practice of Prosthodontics.
BPS in our practice is not only applied to full denture, but it encompasses a wide range of prosthetic treatment including removable partial dentures (to replace missing teeth), single dentures in one jaw, conventional overdentures, telescopic overdentures and implant supported overdentures.
Denture treatment should be personalized as much as possible within a patient’s economic constraints because each mouth is different. In this regards, Dr Abo’s suction effective dentures and BPS is an extremely rational system that will lead to success in denture treatment.
When the lower denture is held in place by suction, occlusal bite adjustments are very simple to make, which further improves denture function and increases satisfaction levels of the patient and clinician.
Generally, the success of prosthetic treatment of edentulous jaws depends on the clinician’s skills and the status of the patient’s stomatognatic system. Despite the continued deterioration of residual bony ridge conditions seen among edentuolous patients in recent years, an increasing number of reports show that the level of patient satisfaction is improved with suction-effective mandibular complete dentures.
Today many patients would like to get fixed implant dentures. However, many patients cannot afford this treatment.