Smile Cliniq Dentures Consent

Information and Informed Consent form

This information serves to help you come to an informed decision in regards to your dental treatment.

Treatment involving the fabrication and fitting of dentures can involve some risks. Side effects and complications are uncommon to rare and we at Smile Cliniq would hope our rate is even less than the norm, due to the techniques and materials we choose to use.  Also bear in mind the, complications are no different to any dentures you may have had previously, it’s just you are now aware of them.
The risks include, but are not limited to the following:
Failure of complete dentures
There are many variables that can affect the success of immediate complete dentures:

1. Gum tissues which cannot bear the pressures placed on them resulting in excessive tenderness and sore spots, especially during healing following extraction and denture placement.  This is easily resolved by polishing the dentures in the “high” spot.
2. Jaw ridges which may not provide adequate support and/or retention as shrinkage following extractions, meaning the denture ay become looser.  This normally occurs with immediate dentures (after extractions) and usually means the denture needs to be relined to add plastic to where the gum has shrunk.
3. Musculature in the tongue, floor of the mouth, cheeks tec., which may not adapt to and be able to accommodate new artificial appliances.
4. Excessive gaging reflexes as the mouth adapts to the new dentures.
5. Excessive saliva or dryness of the mouth.

Failure of removable partial dentures
Many variables can cause unsuccessful use of partial dentures. These include:

1. Natural teeth to which partial dentures are anchored may become tender, sore, and/or mobile as support of the ridge changes during healing (if teeth have recently been extracted).
2. These teeth may decay or erode around clasps, regular check-ups are advised to spot this early.
3. Teeth supporting the denture may fail.

Breakage
Dentures can sometimes break even though the materials used to construct them are not defective. Contributing factors are:

1. Chewing on foods or objects that are excessively hard.
2. Bite strength
3. Gum tissue shrinkage which causes excessive pressures to be exerted unevenly on the dentures, especially as the tissues heal and change.
4. Cracks which may be unnoticeable and which occurred previously from causes such as those mentioned above.
5. Dentures being dropped.
6. Wear and tear.

Loose dentures
Dentures can become less secure over time as the dental bone (ridges) changes and shrinks. Dentures themselves do not change unless subjected to extreme heat or dryness. These dentures may need to be relined or rebase (replacement of the pink material supporting the teeth). It is usual for a fee to be charged for relining or rebasing a denture.
Allergies to denture materials
This is very uncommon but on occasion the oral tissues can exhibit allergic symptoms to the materials used in dentures.
Failure of supporting teeth and/or soft tissues
Natural teeth supporting dentures may fail due to decay, excessive trauma, gum disease or bony tissue problems. This may necessitate extraction.
Uncomfortable or Strange feeling
This may occur because of the differences between natural teeth and the artificial teeth on the denture. Most patients usually become accustomed to this feeling in time. However, occasionally, some patients have great difficulty adapting to dentures, especially full dentures.
Aesthetics or appearance
Patients are given the opportunity to observe the anticipated appearance of the dentures prior to processing.

It is important that the patient seeks attention when problems occur in a reasonable amount of time; also to be examined regularly to evaluate the tissue response to the dentures and generally the patient’s oral health.

I certify that I have read or had read to me the content of this form and do realise the risks and limitations involved, and consent to orthodontic treatment.