Dentures are a common restorative dental procedure that is used as a replacement for missing teeth. Putting in fake teeth is important to keeping your jawbone intact and allowing patients to eat or talk normally.
Many dentures can be removed and put back into the mouth as you please. Other dentures are permanent, to help keep your jaw bone from deteriorating. Depending on the unique needs of the patients, there are a few options for dentures. Full dentures will be used when all natural teeth have been removed from the mouth. Partial dentures are similar to dental bridges. They help fill in the gaps in your teeth to help keep the remaining natural teeth strong.
Types Of Full Dentures
- Conventional Full Dentures – This is when all the teeth are removed and the tissue is given time to heal before the dentures are placed. It could take a few months for the gum tissue to heal completely, and during this time you will be without teeth.
- Immediate Full Dentures – Before having your teeth removed, your dentist takes measurements and has dentures fitted for your mouth. After removing the teeth, the dentures are immediately placed in your mouth. The benefit is that you do not have to spend any time without teeth. You will, however, need to have a follow-up visit to refit your dentures because the jaw bone will slightly change shape as your mouth heels. The dentures will need to be tightened after the jaw bone has healed.
Types Of Partial Dentures
- Removable Partial Dentures- This type can be made from either metal or acrylic. They are able to be taken out of the mouth for eating or cleaning. They include clasps that attach to your other teeth for stability. Acrylic removable dentures are typically more budget-friendly than metal cast dentures.
- Flexible- For some patients, metal or acrylic is too tough for the dentures they need. Flexible dentures are made of nylon and are more comfortable than other denture types. They flex easier with your natural teeth while talking, eating, or breathing. Many patients choose flexible dentures because they look more natural.
- Fixed Partial Dentures- These partial dentures can be created similar to a dental bridge, or an implant-supported denture. The dentures will either attach to an existing tooth you have or an implant will be put in that the rest of the denture can anchor too. Fixed dentures use implants to help improve stability and lower the likelihood of bone loss.
Adjusting To Dentures
Your dentures may take some time to get used to as your mouth may feel awkward with fake teeth. Your mouth may be used to having gaps in between natural teeth, so as they move and adjust, you may feel some discomfort.
The flesh-colored base of the denture is placed over your gums. Some patients say that it feels bulky or that they don’t have enough room for their tongue. Other patients may feel that the dentures feel loose. Having unnatural teeth of any kind will affect the way you eat and talk for a little while. Over time, your mouth becomes trained to eat and speak with your dentures and they begin to feel as if they were your natural teeth. They may never feel perfectly comfortable, but it is much better than the alternative of not having teeth.
Caring For Your New Teeth
Cleaning and caring for your dentures is just as important as caring for your natural teeth. Even though dentures are fake teeth, they still can collect food particles and bacteria. If your dentures are permanent, brushing and flossing is the best way to clean them.
For removable teeth, place them in room temperature water and a dental cleaning solution. Never use hot water as it can warp your dentures, causing them to fit incorrectly and potentially be painful. Dentures are delicate, so be sure to handle them with care.
Dentures should also never be adjusted by the wearer. Dentists can adjust the dentures so that they fit perfectly into your mouth and the components stay intact for longer. The cost of dentures can be high, so if you want to avoid replacement, it is best to treat your dentures with exceptional care.
Dentures From Sunset Dental
At Sunset Dental, we care about your oral health. No matter what stage of life you are in, we can provide the right dental procedures. Dental cleanings, bridges, tooth extractions, bridges, and dentures are all available from our qualified team. Let us assist you with all your dental needs in Sunset, UT today.