Palatoglossal arch injury caused by denture clasps in an older adult with dementia

Introduction: Older adults frequently use dentures, and patients with dementia can have difficulty manipulating dentures. Removable partial dentures frequently have sharp clasps which can cause severe complications. Case Report: A woman in her 80s with Alzheimer’s disease was referred to our department with the chief complaint of inability to remove a maxillary partial denture. Intraoral examination revealed that the denture clasps had penetrated the right palatoglossal arch mucosa and were tightly fixed. By gently detaching the piercing clasps from the mucosa, the partial denture was retrieved. Conclusion: Older adults with dementia and their caregivers should be regularly educated about denture accidents. If a denture causes oral mucosa injury, an oral surgeon may treat it in the Emergency Room. Knowledge of oral anatomy is essential for safe denture removal.