If you’re thinking about getting dentures, currently have them, or know someone who does, there’s a good chance you’ll have some questions. This article will explain what dentures are, how to care for them, and how dentures can help you improve your oral health. We hope this will assist you in obtaining answers to all of your denture-related questions and, if necessary, determining whether dentures are appropriate for you.
What exactly are dentures? Dentures are prosthetic teeth and gums that are custom-made to fit your mouth and are used to replace missing or extracted real teeth. Dentures can be full or partial, which means they can replace all teeth on either the top or bottom gum line or only a few missing teeth. Whatever type of dentures you require, they will be custom-made to fit your mouth and be visually matched to your natural teeth.
What are Dentures made of? Dentures used to be made of porcelain or plastic, but now they’re mostly composed of a durable resin. Denture teeth are made of more fragile materials than natural teeth, and they can readily break or crack if dropped or improperly neglected. This material also degrades far faster than natural teeth, requiring dentures to be replaced every five years or so. The denture’s supporting framework, which holds the fake teeth in place and resembles the natural gum line, is typically constructed of the same resin as the teeth or a more flexible polymer material that fits tightly on the natural gum line.
Dentures not only improve the appearance of a smile with several missing teeth, but they help support the structures around the cheeks and lips, keeping the mouth structure sound. Dentures also allow you to eat meals that require chewing, allowing you to maintain your current diet and ensure that you are properly nourished. Finally, dentures can be used to replace teeth that are causing significant pain and oral health problems, such as those with rotting roots or extensive damage. When you get dentures, you really, get rid of your bothersome teeth and replace them with a strong and not to mention an attractive alternative. There are a few types of dentures you can choose from depending on your requirement. These are Partial Dentures, Full Dentures, Immediate Dentures and Overdentures, and implant-supported dentures.
When the surrounding natural teeth are not strong enough to support constructions such as dental bridges, or when more than one or two teeth are lost, partial dentures are sometimes utilized instead of other tooth replacement treatments. To keep the partial dentures from falling out of position, they are fitted to the area of the gum line that they will sit on and fastened to neighboring natural teeth. They are not, however, permanently fastened and can be removed at any moment for cleaning or sleeping.
Dentures that replace all of your natural teeth are known as full dentures or complete dentures.They’re custom-made for your top or bottom gum line, and they’re held in place with suction and/or oral glue. They are also easily removable, just like partial dentures.
Other types of full and partial dentures, such as immediate dentures, differ from standard permanent dentures in various ways. These dentures are made before the teeth that will be replaced with dentures are removed, and they are worn immediately after tooth extraction and for up to six months during the healing process. These dentures can be fixed more quickly than permanent dentures to suit changes in the mouth as the swelling in the gums and jaw heals. Once the healing process is complete and your mouth is ready for permanent dentures, the immediate dentures will be removed. Overdentures are an option if standard dentures are too unpleasant to wear or if you still have a few natural teeth. Overdentures are fitted over the roots of normal teeth and rest on them or, if there are no natural teeth to fit over, on dental implants.Some people prefer this form of denture because it is more comfortable and easy to remove.
Implant support dentures, as the name implies, are dentures that are held in place by dental implants. A dental implant is a long-term device that replaces one or more teeth by being fixed in the jawbone. The implant, a metal post (usually titanium), and a custom-made crown that looks like a real tooth make up a dental implant.
Dentures that are supported by implants can be attached in a variety of ways, but they must be cared for and maintained in the same way that traditional dentures are. Although the lower jaw is more typically implanted than the upper jaw because the upper jaw has less difficulty fitting tightly, many people have implants in both jaws.
Irrespective of the type of dentures you have, they must be cleaned on a daily basis, just like natural teeth. Despite the fact that dentures are made up of artificial teeth, bacteria, plaque, and tartar can still accumulate on them, causing damage to existing teeth and gums. Remove your dentures from your mouth and rinse them with clean water to remove any food particles lodged between teeth, along the gum line, or underneath the structure. Then, using a denture brush or a very soft toothbrush, brush the dentures all over with a light soap or denture cleanser. Other cleaners, ordinary toothpaste, and electric toothbrushes are all too abrasive and can damage and wear your teeth. Don’t forget to rinse them thoroughly after cleaning.
Do not forget to clean your gums and natural teeth with a soft, wet toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste while your dentures are out of your mouth. If your toothbrush is too abrasive, gently touch your gums with your finger wrapped in a wet, soft washcloth, being careful to cover all surfaces.
Always take your dentures out before going to bed to keep them from getting spoiled, or dislodged, and more importantly, allow your gums to relax. To avoid your dentures from drying out and becoming deformed, soak them completely in warm, but not hot, water. Denture soaking solution should only be used if your dentures have no metal components, as the solution can tarnish the metal.