Dentures

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Dentures

What Are Dentures?

Dentures replace missing teeth and their adjacent tissues with a removable dental appliance made of acrylic resin and, in some cases, a combination of metals. There are two main types of dentures: full and partial.

Who Needs Dentures?

You need a denture if

you have lost most or all of teeth because of periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury,
you want to be able to talk and eat,
you don't want to look old, and
you want your smiles enhanced.

What Are Partial Dentures?

A partial denture is a removable appliance that rests on a metal framework attached to your natural teeth. It not only restores speech and eating function, it also prevents other teeth from changing position. Sometimes crowns are placed on some of your natural teeth and serve as anchors for the denture. Partial dentures offer a removable alternative to bridges.

What Are Full Dentures?

A full denture is a removable appliance for patients who have no upper or lower teeth. Full dentures sit in the space between the tongue and cheeks to provide support for facial muscles. This will greatly enhance the facial appearance.

Full dentures are either "immediate" or "conventional".

An immediate full denture is a temporary replacement for missing teeth. It is constructed before the teeth are removed. As soon as the teeth are removed, the denture is immediately placed in the mouth, so that the patient is never seen without teeth during the healing period. An immediate denture will always require a reline because the tissues of the mouth will change as healing occurs.
A conventional full denture is made and placed in the patient's mouth about 3 months after all the teeth are removed and tissues have healed. An upper denture is held in place by suction created by saliva. A lower denture is held in place mainly by the muscles of the cheeks and the tongue, as well as by gravity.

What Prodedures Are to Be Involved?

A good oral exam and x-rays are essential when constructing a denture. There are many steps and try ins that are necessary for a denture to fit and function correctly and have a natural appearance. It is essential to record proper jaw relationships and make accurate copies of the mouth.

What Will You Expect after Having a New Denture?

New dentures are seldom without problems. Like with anything, new dentures will require a learning period. You will need to learn how to use the muscles of your mouth and tongue to hold the lower denture in place, how to chew and speak correctly. New dentures will usually develop sore spots and the dentist will need to adjust the denture until it is comfortable. You are not encouraged to plan on a steak dinner with your new denture. Start slowly with softer foods that are easier to chew.

How Do I Take Care of Dentures?

A denture is fragile, so it is important to handle it with care. Remove and brush the denture daily, using either a denture cleanser or toothpaste. Never use harsh, abrasive cleansers, including abrasives toothpastes. Don't sterilize your denture with boiling water. If you wear a partial denture, be sure to remove it before brushing your natural teeth. When not in use, soak it in a cleanser solution or in water. Keep the denture in the same safe and handy place to reduce the likelihood of misplacement.

Do I Still Need to See the Dentist Regularly?

It is important to visit your dentist regularly even if you don't have any of your natural teeth. Dentists not only check teeth, but also the soft parts of the mouth, including the tongue and cheeks. These examinations are just as important, so the dentist can spot any infections, mouth conditions or even oral cancer at the earliest stages.

Are There Any Alternatives to Dentures?

Dentures are no longer the only replacement for your natural teeth. If the oral disease or injury are not too serious, or if the cost is not a major concern, bridges and implants can be alternatives to dentures.

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