A case report of minimally invasive strategies for denture support in a geriatric patient with medical comorbidities

Abstract

Geriatric patients in dentistry commonly present with medical comorbidities. It is necessary to thoroughly evaluate the patient's medical condition and then develop appropriate treatment plans, which provide greater benefits and help prevent medical complications. This case report describes the prosthodontic management of a geriatric female with partial edentulism, longstanding denture use, and systemic diseases, emphasising individualised care in a high-risk patient. A 69-year-old Chinese woman attending the Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia Polyclinic complained of a loose upper acrylic denture worn for 30 years, and presented with multiple caries, generalized recession and partial edentulism in both arches. She had a history of hepatitis B managed with medication and maintained follow-up, and shoulder cancer that finished chemotherapy 10 years ago. A black, purplish lesion on the left buccal mucosa adjacent to tooth 28 was detected during clinical examination. Strict infection control protocols were employed throughout treatment following her medical history. Pre-prosthetic procedures, including maintaining her oral hygiene, restoration, root canal treatment before denture construction, were done under proper management due to the patient's history of trismus. The case emphasized the challenges of prosthodontic management in geriatric patients with systemic disease and compromised dentition. The integration of restorative procedures and denture construction aimed to restore function and improve quality of life is discussed while considering the patient's systemic comorbidities.