Patients and Method: All consecutive Patients that presented with fractured acrylic dentures at the dental centre University College Hospital, Ibadan between January and July 2006 were recruited into the study. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to record data from willing patients. The questionnaire focused on patients' demographic data, age of acrylic denture as at the time of fracture, causes and pattern of fractures.
Results: A total of sixty-two patients (34 males and 28 females, age range 18-94 years) with sixty nine (51 upper and 18 lower) fractured dentures participated in the study.
The period of usage of the dentures before fracture was between two weeks and twenty-six years with average of 7.4 years. Early fracture (<1year) was seen in 9 (13.4%), intermediate fracture (1-5years) in 29 (42%), and late fracture (> 5years) in 31 (44.9%) cases.
Masticatory force was the commonest cause of fracture 21(34.3%) followed by falling from the mouth during eating or talking 14(20.3). Other causes included dropping during cleaning, fight, and accident.
Fracture of the lower partial dentures occurred more commonly in the canine/ premolar region10 (62.5%) while in the upper partial dentures fracture occurred more commonly palatal to the crest of the edentulous ridge 24 (50%). Other sites included labial flange, midline, tooth and wrought metal clasps.
Conclusion: Early fracture of acrylic dentures can be prevented by proper design with balanced articulation and patient's compliance to post insertion instructions .Also reinforcing the acrylic dentures with woven glass fibres or woven metal wires in stress bearing areas can prevent early fracture.