Denture Adhesives in Complete Denture Care: Benefits, Limitations and Safe Use - A Narrative Review
Abstract: Denture adhesives can help patients who need additional retention and confidence while wearing complete dentures. However, their role is sometimes misunderstood. Some patients use them without professional advice, while some dentists consider their use a sign of poor denture treatment. This narrative review discusses how denture adhesives work, their effects on denture function, their limitations and their safe use. Published clinical studies generally support improvements in retention and resistance to denture movement. Findings for chewing performance, overall satisfaction and oral health-related quality of life are less consistent. The benefit depends on the outcome measured, the condition of the dentures and the individual patient. Creams, powders and strips have different handling characteristics, and no single form is best for every patient. Safety concerns include difficulty removing the material, local irritation and excessive exposure to zinc from zinc-containing products. New formulations with antimicrobial properties are being studied, but laboratory findings need clinical confirmation. Denture adhesives should be considered an additional part of complete denture care after examination of the dentures and supporting tissues. Their use should include clear instructions, daily cleaning and follow-up. Increasing dependence on an adhesive should lead to reassessment of the denture rather than repeated increases in the amount applied.
Keywords: Complete denture; denture adhesives; denture retention; patient satisfaction; oral hygiene
How to Cite?: Dr. Kashinath Arabbi, Dr. Ankita M Shinde, "Denture Adhesives in Complete Denture Care: Benefits, Limitations and Safe Use - A Narrative Review", Volume 15 Issue 9, September 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1927-1930, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26928172116, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26928172116