What are dentures?

Dentures are custom-created dental appliances that are designed to replace lost or missing teeth. While dentures are removable, they are designed to look and function like natural teeth. They not only help patients chew properly, but they also help restore facial structure and improve speech.

There are two types of dentures: partial and complete. Partial dentures replace missing teeth, while complete dentures replace entire arches of missing teeth.

How do dentures work?

Conventional dentures are removable appliances that replace missing teeth. They consist of artificial teeth attached to a pink or gum-colored plastic base. Dentures should be soaked in water or denture cleaning solution to prevent them from drying out or becoming stained.

It’s important to keep in mind that dentures aren’t meant to be permanent. They need to be replaced as your mouth changes, which may happen if you experience bone loss, gum disease, or cavities.

Should you get dentures?

Many patients choose dentures to replace multiple missing teeth. Dentures help patients restore the function and aesthetics of their smiles, making them an ideal solution for many patients. They can be especially helpful for patients whose remaining teeth are already worn, broken, or decayed.

Patients who choose dentures often do so because they:

- Want to improve the appearance of their smile

- Are experiencing difficulty eating or chewing

- Are experiencing difficulty with speech

- Are experiencing difficulty talking

- Are experiencing difficulty smiling

- Are experiencing difficulty laughing

Types of dentures

There are several types of dentures, including partial dentures and complete dentures. A partial denture is used when some teeth remain and a complete denture is used when all the natural teeth are gone.

The dentures can be removable, or they can be anchored in place with dental implants, which are tiny titanium posts that replace the tooth root.

Dentures and missing teeth

Missing teeth can be embarrassing, but losing teeth can be detrimental to your health. Not only will missing teeth affect your speech, your ability to eat certain foods, and your confidence, but it can lead to further tooth loss.

When a tooth is lost, the jawbone in that area starts to weaken, eventually leading to bone loss. Bone loss can affect your appearance, because bone loss in the jaw can affect your facial structure. Bone loss can also lead to teeth shifting, which can result in bite and tooth alignment problems.

Dentures vs implants

Dental implants are a permanent solution to missing teeth. They are made of titanium and fit directly into the jawbone. Once they have healed, they are strong enough to function like natural teeth.

Dental bridges are a popular solution to missing teeth. They consist of a false tooth or teeth with dental crowns on either side. These are anchored to the teeth adjacent to the empty space.

Dentures: the procedure explained

Dental dentures are removable prosthetic teeth. They are designed to look and function like a natural tooth. Dentures are removable, but you’ll generally be able to remove them for cleaning and while you sleep.

Dentures may be full or partial. A full denture replaces all of the teeth on a dental arch, while a partial denture replaces some of the teeth.

There are several types of dentures available. They each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Your dentist can help you determine which one is best for you.

Dentures: what to expect after the procedure

After your denture procedure, you will likely feel some pain, swelling, and bruising. Your dentist will provide you with detailed instructions on what you should do and how you should care for your mouth and gums.

- It is common to experience some pain and discomfort after your procedure. Apply an ice pack to your face to reduce pain and swelling. Your dentist may also prescribe pain medication.

- Avoid drinking with a straw and rinsing your mouth vigorously. This can cause the dentures to dislodge.

- Take your dentures out at night and clean them properly. Your dentist will provide you with specific instructions on how to properly care for your dentures.