The use of removable dentures in different age periods

Introduction.Removable dentures are aesthetic and hygienic; they can be used in patients who have lost from one to all natural teeth in each jaw. Despite extensive research on the use of removable dentures, the frequency of their use among people in different age groups remains unknown.The aim of the studywas to investigate the frequency of removable denture use among patients in different age groups.Materials and methods.A clinical study examined 2 831 individuals (1 282 men (45.28%) and 1 549 women (54.72%)) aged 15 to 96 years who sought dental care at municipal or departmental dental healthcare facilities. Age grouping followed the World Health Organization’s age periodization recommended for use in 2025. During the medical history collection and dental examination, patients were asked whether they used removable dentures — partial or complete. The materials used to manufacture the dentures were not specified.Results.The study found that removable dentures are widely used across various age groups.In late adolescence, removable dentures are used due to impossibility of fabricating fixed dentures or implant-supported prostheses because of ongoing jaw growth. Among young, middle-aged, and elderly individuals, removable dentures were used by 23.89, 70.36 and 89.25% of patients, respectively. Among centenarians, the usage rate reached 93.33%. The main reasons for the widespread use of removable dentures include their relatively low cost and the possibility for privileged categories of citizens to receive them free of charge in public healthcare facilities through budgetary funding.Conclusion.The widespread use of removable dentures in modern healthcare practice across different age groups necessitates the search for new inert materials for denture bases, as well as adhesive agents that reduce the likelihood of inflammatory complications in the denture-bearing area when using partial or complete removable dentures.