Blog Highlights
- Dentures are custom-made removable teeth
- There are three types of dentures
- It is important to take care of your dentures
If you’ve lost your natural teeth due to an accident or age, it might be time to look into dentures. Dentures are custom-made removable teeth. They are built to fit your mouth and replace your missing teeth. Today dentures are more comfortable than ever and look as natural as possible.
Dentures may not feel exactly like your original teeth, but they give you a toothy smile once again and allow you to eat and speak normally. They also support your facial muscles. Without teeth, your muscles weaken and sag, often making a person look older than they actually are.
Types of Dentures
There are three types of dentures. The conventional full denture is fitted to a patient’s gums. Once all the natural teeth have fallen out or been removed and the sockets and tissues have healed, the denture can be installed. In some cases, a patient may have to wait several months for their mouths to heal before they can wear their dentures.
Another option is the immediate complete denture. The dentist measures the patient’s mouth before his or her teeth have completely fallen out. In this way the dentist can prepare the dentures so that as soon as the patient’s teeth are gone his or her dentures are ready and waiting. Immediate dentures ensure that a patient does not have to wait several months without teeth.
The final option is a partial denture. It is a great choice if you only need to substitute a few teeth. Since the denture is removable, many patients prefer it over bridges. The denture fits into a metal framework that is attached to the surrounding natural teeth or crowns on top of your natural teeth.
Care
It is important to take care of your dentures. You should see your dentist at least once a year for a checkup. Dentures are strong, but even so they often need to be remade, rebased, or relined. General wear and tear may result in the need for a new set of dentures altogether. Rebasing is required when the base of the dentures is too worn; the teeth remain the same, but the section that rests on the gums is replaced. Relining is usually required as your mouth starts to age and change.
If you experience chipping, breaking, or cracking make an appointment to see your dentist. And, it is imperative that you develop a general home care and cleaning routine. Here are some simple tips:
- When you’re not wearing your dentures, let them soak in a denture cleaning solution or plain water. Avoid hot water which can ruin the dentures.
- Brush your dentures daily to remove food and plaque that may have built up throughout the day. Brushing daily also keeps them from staining.
- Brush your palate, gums, and tongue every morning before putting in your dentures to keep your mouth clean and the tissues healthy.
- Dentures can easily break if dropped. When brushing or cleaning them, make sure you hold them over a counter or sink.
