THE HOME MECHANIC
What compels patients to do their own dentistry is hard to say, in some cases financial or time constraints, perhaps the belief they can actually do better on their own . In any event the creative solutions, repairs, and cosmetic adaptations I have seen over the years of my practice range from effective to outright disastrous.
"I can fix this." Or some thought to that affect must occur when attempts are made to repair broken dentures at home. The most common material being used is glue, ranging from crazy glue to the melting ability of model airplane cement. In some cases the denture will hold together a few days, but in most cases will break in a few hours leaving ever more distorted edges as each new attempt to glue takes place. I've also seen dentures bonded together with gum, Band-Aids, scotch tape, and of course Red Green's solution, duct tape. Creative tooth replacement ranges from chicklet gum, candy mints, or carved pieces of wood fashioned to the shape of a tooth.
"I can adjust this." Yep, lots of home adjusters out there. Nail files and sand paper being the most common implement of choice. But I have however seen much more massive efforts done with grinding wheels, dremel tools, and even an electric drill. Unfortunately these rather inaccurate modifications tend to compound rather then resolve problems. The ultimate home adjuster I have witnessed was with a blowtorch. This patient was under the impression that denture acrylics could simply be heated and bent into shape unfortunately when denture acrylics encounter flame they catch on fire.
"I can diagnose this." This one can be a bit scary where patients are experiencing sore spots or what they believe to be denture ulcers and have commenced treatments ranging from rubbing salt into the wounds to placing aspirins between the denture and the tissue (resulting in a tissue burn). Nobody wants to go the doctor if they don't have to. However given the severe complications that can arise from misdiagnosed problems, particularly those of pathological nature, this can be not only dangerous, but also potentially life threatening.
"The ultimate home mechanic." I must confess I have only run into this one time and when I relate this story many find it hard to believe. I had a gentleman come into my office looking for a reline as the denture he had been wearing for some years had become loose. When I began to take his dental history it quickly came to light that he was in fact wearing the denture of his deceased wife, he had made some modifications and declared it fit well. Yikes!!
I have come to accept with a sense of humor these sorts of things in an age of do it yourselfers. Perhaps when the Denture Depot opens it may just be time to retire.