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Left untreated, full or partial tooth loss not only negatively affects a person's self-image, but can also increase the risk of developing nutritional problems and other systemic health disorders. Dentures are a time-tested and cost-effective way to replace missing teeth and adjacent tissues.
Full or partial dentures consist of a gum-colored base made of plastic resin, which fits over the remaining alveolar (bone) ridge that formerly held the teeth. The prosthetic teeth projecting from the base are designed to look and function just like your natural teeth.
Dentures help support the facial skeleton and the soft tissues of the lips and cheeks, which can help create a more youthful appearance. It usually takes some time to get accustomed to wearing new dentures. With time, the muscles, nerves and ligaments of the mouth will adapt to the new denture.
Types of Dentures
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are often a solution when several teeth are missing. It fills in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevents other teeth from changing position.
Removable partial dentures usually consist of a metal framework in combination with gum-coloured acrylic resin and plastic teeth. Partial dentures attach to your natural teeth using metal clasps.
Partial dentures help restore your chewing function and holds the space of the lost tooth/teeth so that your other teeth do not move into the space. However, a partial denture will usually become loose over time, so the metal clasps will need to be retightened. Some dentures will also need to be relined over time.
Complete Dentures
Complete dentures replace all the teeth. Candidates for complete dentures have lost most or all of their teeth. A denture improves chewing ability and speech, and provides support for facial muscles. It will greatly enhance the facial appearance and smile.
You can have a full denture on your upper or lower jaw, or both.
Overdentures
An overdenture is a removable denture that fits over a small number of remaining natural teeth or implants. The natural teeth must be prepared to provide stability and support for the denture.
Types of Full Dentures
Immediate/Temporary Dentures: These are usually a temporary means of helping you transition to successful denture wearing. Due to the muscular readjustment required as well as the natural shrinkage of gums, dentures placed immediately after tooth extraction will not fit as well as permanent dentures made after the healing is complete. They do, however, provide you with new teeth right away, and give you time to adjust to wearing dentures.
Conventional Full Dentures: Once the muscles and gums have completely healed from your extractions, permanent dentures that conform to your mouth with near-perfect accuracy can be fabricated. These are carefully crafted to look as much like your own natural teeth as possible, and are able to function properly in your mouth for a long time.
Implant-Supported Overdentures: Dental implants are sometimes used to anchor an upper or lower denture and increase its stability in your mouth. The upper jaw requires more implants (generally three or more) than the lower jaw due to lesser bone density. Many people find this option offers a great balance of comfort, functionality and value.
Types of Partial Dentures
Transitional Partial Dentures: These relatively inexpensive removable plastic dentures serve as a temporary tooth replacement and space maintainer as you wait for your mouth to heal after your tooth extraction.
Removable Partial Dentures (RPDs): Usually made of cast vitallium, these well-constructed, metal-based removable partial dentures are much lighter and less obtrusive than those made of plastic. They are a little more expensive than plastic dentures but will fit better.
Fabricating and Fitting Dentures
Making quality dentures is a blend of science and art. An accurate impression, or mold, is made of the alveolar ridges on the top and bottom of your mouth. This mold is used to fabricate the base of the denture at a dental laboratory. The dentist works with the lab technician to choose from many different sizes and shapes of prosthetic teeth to recreate a natural-looking smile. Once the dentist and lab technician are satisfied with the result, the temporary dentures are made in permanent form.
To enable normal speech and eating, it's crucial that your bite is balanced, where the upper and lower dentures come in contact and properly stabilize each other. The form and function of the dentures are carefully checked to ensure that they are working and fitting properly.
What to Expect After You Receive Your Dentures
If you've recently lost your teeth and received an immediate/temporary denture, it's normal to experience some tissue shrinkage and bone loss within the first few months. After several months, due to the changes of your mouth, your immediate dentures will not fit as well anymore. At this point, you can choose to have your temporary dentures re-lined, where extra material is added under the denture's base to better conform to the new contours of your alveolar ridge. However, it is better to replace the temporary dentures with a set of conventional dentures, which will last longer and fit better. With proper care, dentures offer a functional, aesthetic and economical solution to the problem of tooth loss.
Dentures are just one option for replacing missing teeth. More permanent options include fixed bridgework and dental implants which, like dentures, can help you bite and chew properly again, along with allowing you to smile with confidence. Each option has its particular strengths and limitations, and is dependent on your individual situation.
If you have any questions about teeth replacement, call our office to schedule a consultation! We'll go over your specific situation, and recommend the various treatment options available for your case.