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Information on Dentures

Dentures are the solution of last resort for people who lose their teeth due to gum disease, accidents, tooth decay or genetic disorders. Dentures vary depending on individuals' dental needs. For instance, partial dentures replace one tooth or several teeth. Complete dentures replace all teeth. Without dentures, life can be difficult for individuals who have missing teeth. They often have difficulty biting and chewing food. Lack of teeth can make you look older than you are, cause facial sagging and create trouble for other teeth, such as shifting. Dentures can be either fixed (i.e. permanent) or removable.

  1. Types of Dentures

    • Dentures come in three types, partial, over and complete. However, these three options include more specialized dentures. For example, partial dentures include flipper and Nesbit dentures. Flipper dentures are temporary fixtures that replace a missing tooth until other denture options, like bridges, are chosen. Nesbit dentures replace one or more back teeth. Overdentures are for individuals who have one or more original teeth left in the lower jaw. The tooth, or teeth, are filed down and covered by the denture plates. Immediate dentures are a type of complete dentures. They're used after all the teeth are pulled until the complete dentures are ready.

    Materials Used

    • Partial dentures are made in different ways. Fixed dentures, or bridges, are bonded onto the gum. Fixed dentures are either entirely made of porcelain or have porcelain and a gold framework. Removable partial dentures are made with plastic teeth on top of pink plastic gum. Both are attached to a metal framework. Complete dentures, which rest on the gums and cover the entire jaw, are made with plastic or porcelain teeth embedded in a pink acrylic material that resemble gums, instead of a metal framework.

    Denture Life

    • Dentures aren't one-size-fits-all fixtures. The process of getting dentures can take more than five visits to the dentist or almost 2 months to complete. After you complete the process, your dentures will feel loose or odd for approximately 3 weeks. With immediate and complete dentures, your gums may become sore or irritated. During this time, eating may be difficult. Start with soft foods and chew simultaneously on both sides of the mouth.

    Denture Care

    • Clean dentures daily. However, don't use household cleaners, toothpastes not designed for dentures or bleach to clean dentures. Bleach can whiten the pink areas of the dentures. Toothpastes and cleaners are too abrasive. Instead, use denture cleaners, or either hand or mild soap. Rinse dentures after each meal. When you're not using your dentures, place them in water. Dentures that dry out lose their fit.

    Considerations

    • Take out removable partials, overdentures and complete dentures before bedtime. Gums need saliva to maintain good oral health. Your gums will require 6 to 12 months to heal properly. Therefore, if you have immediate and complete dentures, you will continue to go to the dentist for adjustments. Don't try to fix broken dentures. You'll risk damaging them further.

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