Two deaths afford evidence of the fact that ill-fitting dental prostheses may have fatal consequences. These may arise from swallowing the wrong way, aspiration or distorsion of the pharyngeal mucosa, especially where the patient's consciousness is somehow impaired and above all under the influence of alcohol. Both of the deaths under consideration could have been avoided by adequate correction of a dental prosthesis. Patients with defective or ill-fitting prostheses should be made aware of the dangers and referred to a dentist.