A Guide To Dentures!
March 10, 2020 6:32 amIf you have been unfortunate enough to lose many or all of your teeth, then dentures are an option for you. Dentures fit inside your mouth, look natural, and allow you to eat, speak and live your daily life just as if you had your natural teeth. Read on to find out how to restore your smile quickly and easily.
- Do I need dentures?
Whether it’s due to gum disease, injury, or something else, dentures are a good option if you have lost lots of teeth. Without teeth, facial muscles can sag over time, creating a sunken appearance – wearing false teeth help stop this happening. Dentures may also be needed if a bridge or implant isn’t possible for your individual situation, say if the underlying bone isn’t very strong. If you have ongoing problems with your own teeth, such as extensive damage or decay, then removal and replacement with dentures could offer a pain-relieving solution.
- How does it work?
Your dentist will take an impression of your gums to make a mold. Teeth will then be added to the mold, and tested to see if its comfortable in your mouth. The plates and teeth will then be custom-made in a lab, just for you.
- Types of denture
Technology has moved on since the wood and animal bone sets owned by George Washington! Nowadays dentures are made of light and strong acrylic resin, though porcelain is sometimes preferred for the individual teeth to keep a natural-looking appearance. All dentures are removable and need to be kept clean and taken care of.
- Full dentures
Full dentures are needed if you have lost all your teeth. These fit over your gums. If you have a setstraight after having your natural teeth removed, known as ‘immediate’ dentures, you’ll need a new set fitting after six months once thebone has healed. A full denture is secured in place either through the power of suction or with an adhesive.
- Partial dentures
If you still have natural teeth then a partial denture will work for you. The teeth are joined by a metal or acrylic framework, which then sits around your natural teeth. Metal has the advantage of giving a better fit, though acrylic can be dyed to give a perfect gum color match. The denture may have crowns that sit over some of the natural teeth, to help support the whole structure. Partial dentures alsooffer a removable alternative to a bridge.
- Implant-supported dentures and overdentures
Some types of dentures can be secured in place another way. Implant-supported dentures are just what they say – kept in position by titanium implants that have been placed in the jaw. Overdentures are similar, but instead are fitted over the roots of your remaining natural teeth. Both these options can offer more comfort, as the dentures are strongly secured in place and less able to move around, and they don’t rest or put pressure on gums.However they do still need to be removed and cleaned at night.
- Care and maintenance
It’s very important to look after your dentures properly. Brush them every day with a denture cleaner and a soft-bristled toothbrush, just like you would with normal teeth. This will keep them free of food debris and potential staining. If you have a partial denture, don’t forget to brush the rest of your natural teeth twice a day also. For full dentures, you will need to brush or wipe your gums when you take them out –this is because, unfortunately, your mouth can still produce plaque and bad stuff that could make your gums sore. Don’t let dentures dry out – they should be stored at night in cleaning solution or warm water. Be sure to see your dentist once a year if you have full dentures, and every six months if it’s a partial one. You’ll probably need a new denture set every 5-8 years due to wear and tear, though your dentist will confirm that for you.
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