Abstract

Physical punishment of one person to another has existed since human beings socialized with each other. It continues to exist within families, although acceptance by individuals or societies rarely occurs. Cultural heritage and traditional values conceal the occurrence of physical abuse of the elderly in many societies, including conservative ones. The complete denture prosthesis is a long-term aid for the elderly to perform multiple functions. Abuse of such individuals can damage the prosthesis, which should alarm the dentist of individuals suffering. An elderly male patient fractured his maxillary and old mandibular dentures in multiple areas, which rarely occurs. The patient revealed that the denture was broken after an altercation with his sons, who tend to abuse him physically at home. The complete denture prosthesis was beyond any sort of repair. Therefore, a new complete denture was fabricated with high-impact strength denture base heat cure resin. Psychotherapeutic counselling was offered to the patient and his sons but was not accepted by those who were chief perpetrators of imposing physical abuse on the elderly. The complete denture prosthesis was also planned to incorporate the recording of neutral zone placement of the teeth and balanced occlusion. The patient was satisfied with the new prosthesis and the concern that was shown to him regarding his suffering.

Key words: complete denture, balanced occlusion, neutral zone, human maltreatment, psychotherapy