Upper dentures are artificial teeth that are specifically made to suit your upper jaw. Dentures are false teeth made of either acrylic or porcelain, and they’re meant to replace lost teeth. They improve your appearance, your speech, and the manner in which you chew your food. Besides this, they preserve the bone structure of the face and prevent the sagging of facial muscles. There are several types of upper dentures that are available depending on the number of teeth that have to be replaced, the money you want to spend and your dental health.
Uses of Different Types of Upper Dentures
Complete upper dentures replace all the upper teeth that have been extracted. They are removable dentures that consist of acrylic base plates and teeth made of porcelain or acrylic. These dentures are only used after the gums have healed after extraction, and they press onto the upper gum. They’re supported by the underlying bone. If you have lost some of your upper teeth and not all, a partial upper denture or a bridge is suitable for you. This denture is supported by a metal clip that attaches to the neighboring existing tooth. These partial dentures may be fixed or removable dentures.
Other Types of Upper Dentures
A temporary upper denture is one that’s used immediately after the extraction of the teeth. These are partial dentures that are removable. They have a metal wire that attaches to an existing neighboring tooth and a soft lining that stays in place. Once the gums have healed, the soft lining can be replaced with a hard lining so that they become complete upper dentures. An over-denture is similar to a complete upper denture, but is held in place by one or more existing teeth.
These dentures are more stable and more expensive than a complete upper denture. An implant supported denture is similar to an over-denture, but relies on at least 3 implants for support. The implants are placed in the bone. Once they have healed, the denture is made to fit the contours of the mouth. Such dentures are the most expensive dentures that are currently available.
Things to Keep in Mind
It’s best to opt for upper dentures only after the gums have healed completely from the loss or extraction of the teeth. Although upper dentures aren’t very comfortable initially, you can get used to them with time. You should eat soft foods initially and take small bites as chewing with new dentures is awkward. As you get used to the dentures, you can start eating a complete meal with them.
It’s best to ensure that your dentures aren’t loose. If they are loose, it might be necessary to use dental glue to hold them in place. Although some dentists recommend wearing dentures full time, it’s best to remove them at night. You should always be careful about oral hygiene when using upper dentures. Over a period of time, you will get used to your upper dentures and work out ways of using them that suit you best.
Upper dentures can last for as many as 10 years as they’re made of durable materials, but it’s important to take proper care of them. If you follow your dentist’s instructions on how to take care of your upper dentures, they can help you enhance your looks, speak better and chew your food better.
