Enhanced facial esthetics for geriatric patients with customized complete denture for amplified cheek support

Abstract

Aging is associated with edentulism, resorbed alveolar ridge, reduced muscle activity, and sunken cheeks. When there is not enough muscle mass between zygomatic and mandibular bone, slumping of cheeks occurs. Sunken cheeks lead to facial disfigurement and unesthetic appearance resulting in a negative psychological impact on the patient. The use of conventional complete dentures can rehabilitate the loss to some extent, but excellent denture esthetics can be achieved by providing additional support to the slumped tissues. This clinical case series describes different techniques to provide support for sunken cheeks using detachable maxillary cheek plumper prosthesis in completely edentulous geriatric patients.