Dental Dentures 101: Types, Purpose, Procedure, and Care

Replacing your missing teeth is paramount to your oral health. Having gaps in your gum not only affects your appearance but also damages the supporting bone. The surrounding teeth can shift to the available spaces and start to weaken. Furthermore, the alveolar bone begins to get reabsorbed in the body, which further weakens the teeth.

Luckily, several dental treatments are available that can help replace the missing teeth. Dental denture near you are one of the ideal solutions if you have multiple or all teeth missing.

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are false teeth and gums that are customised to fit your dental structure. These artificial teeth are made from hard resin that is curved to fit your precise bite and pattern. They have a supporting structure that resembles your gums.

What are the Options Available?

The dentures used are determined by the number of teeth missing. We have partial and full dentures:

• Full dentures

These are used on people who have more than half of all teeth missing on the upper or lower jaw. The dentures are further classified into two—immediate and complete dentures.

Immediate dental dentures are prefabricated at the dental office. These dentures are fixed immediately after the remaining teeth have been removed. They are convenient as you will not go without teeth during the healing process.

However, because of their nature, immediate dentures are used as a temporary measure. As the gums heal, the jaw will shrink making the dentures to get weak.

Complete dentures, on the other hand, are more permanent. They are created after the gums have healed. These dentures are created in the lab using your unique dental impression.

• Partial dentures

Partial dentures are used when you have a few teeth missing, and your remaining teeth are healthy. These dentures are made to resemble your teeth. But, have a metal clasp for support. The dentures use your existing teeth as an anchor.

What Dental Specialist Does Dentures?

A Prosthodontist will examine your jaw and create the dentures. Prosthodontists are dental specialists who specialise in making and fitting artificial teeth.

How Are the Dentures Made?

Making dentures requires a few weeks and several appointments.

• Examination and planning. Our prosthodontist will first examine your jaw, teeth, and gums to determine the best type of appliance for you. He will also review your dental hygiene practices and oral health.
• Next, he will make a series of impressions of the jaw and take measurements of the jaw and the space between.
• Models of the dentures are made using wax, plastic, or resin.
• The dentist will give you a set of dentures to check the fit, color, and shape before the final cast is made.
• Once the exact measurements are taken, the prosthodontist will proceed to create the final cast of dentures.
• A follow-up appointment is scheduled to examine how the dentures are settling.

What Can You Expect?

New dentures will feel a little odd for a few weeks until your gums and tongue get used to them. You may also feel mild soreness and irritation in the first days. The soreness clears out without treatment. However, if the pain continues, visit dental clinic dentures near you for assessment. Here are a few tips on how to get used to dentures:

• Eat soft foods in the first few days.
• Exercise your cheeks. If you have soreness or pain in your cheeks, it is a sign of ill-fitting dentures.
• Follow the post-extraction instructions given by the dentist. This allows the gums to heal properly, and also for the dentist to make fitting dentures.

How to Care for Your Dentures?

How you care for your dentures will determine how long they last.

• Brush your dentures daily, but do not use toothpaste
• Use a denture cleaner
• Keep the dentures moist when you are not wearing them by soaking them in denture solution or water.
• Clean your teeth and gums before wearing the dentures.
• Remove the dentures at night to allow the gums to relax.
• Do not adjust the dentures. If they are ill-fitting, visit our dentist for assistance.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Mi Casa Dental for more information on dentures and how they can benefit you.