Dentures

The loss of teeth can be a traumatic event that leads to diminished self-confidence, oral hygiene problems, and chewing difficulties.  You use you mouth several times a day, so ideally a lost tooth needs to be replaced with something that is safe, comfortable, and functional.  To that end, dentures have been used throughout human history as an indefinite tooth replacement in the event of disease or injury resulting in loss of teeth.

Dentures are removable implants that simulate the look and function of the tooth and its surrounding tissue.  Most dentures are constructed with acrylic resins along with some composite materials.  There are two major types of dentures.  The full denture replaces an entire jaw’s worth of teeth, while a partial denture only replaces multiple or single teeth where there are still healthy teeth present.  Full dentures can be put in place after a surgery to remove all teeth in the jaw, but the usual practice involves waiting for the gums to heal properly.  A partial denture also serves as a spacer to prevent the living teeth from shifting position.

Most patients of full dentures are in their later years and have lost most of their teeth.  Patients of partial dentures are usually people who have lost a tooth to gum disease or injury.  All patients receiving dentures find that their chewing improves, their oral hygiene becomes easier, and their speech clears up.  On the outside, a denture can drastically improve your smile.

Dentures are specifically made for each patient’s unique anatomy.  Several appointments with a dentist are required to develop a working model of the final product.  Following many weeks of work, the patient receives a new set of teeth.  Initially they will feel awkward, no matter how well they may fit you.  The fact remains that it is not a living part of your mouth and it will feel foreign to you.  However, after a short period of adjustment most people don’t even notice that they’re wearing the dentures anymore.

The cleaning of dentures is just as important as cleaning your real teeth.  A set of dentures should be removed and brushed at least once per day with a denture brush and denture cleanser.  Patients are advised to keep their dentures in place overnight for the first little while, but after the adjustment period is over they are to soak the dentures in cleansing fluid while sleeping.  It’s better for the health of your gums that way, so that they have time to be properly exposed to the normal oral environment.

Regular checkups with your dentist are encouraged in order to track changing conditions in your mouth.  Should your teeth shift or your bones change shape with time, you’ll need a new set.  Dentures have been around for a long time and are a proven way to replace lost teeth.  If you require dentures please contact a dentist for a consultation.