Dentures

If you need a dental prosthetic to restore function and improve the appearance of your teeth and gums, dentures might be the solution for you.

What are dentures?

Dentures are a form of dental prostheses that restores the functional and aesthetic integrity of your teeth. As we age, our teeth and our gums inevitably fall into decay and disrepair. The effects are not only impacting the appearance of both our teeth and gums but also impact our ability to eat and speak.

Dentures are removable pieces that fit in your mouth right over your gums. A dentist will work with you to make sure the fit and appearance are suitable for a natural and pleasant look for your smile.

The teeth of the dentures are often made from materials including porcelain, acrylic, and resin, which allow for customisation to best match the teeth to the wearer. They cover the roof, base, gums, and teeth of the mouth. Some dentures are removable and might require a special adhesive for sticking onto the gums securely.

Which dentures are the best?

There are typically three different types of dentures for patients, and the one they need depends on what their individual issues or concerns are. Your dentist will recommend the right set for you, prepare the oral cavity for the placement of the dentures, fit and mould your ideal set, and help provide long-term care to extend the lifetime of the dentures.

The first type of denture is the conventional denture, which is a fully removable piece. As the most popular and common denture type, it requires the dentist to remove any remaining teeth so the dentures can fit. This requires time for the gums to heal from the removal.

The second type of denture is the immediate denture, which is also a fully removable piece. It is similar to the conventional denture in that a patient’s teeth must be removed to make room for the dentures. However, they are often only designed to last for two to four months and are used while the gums heal before a permanent denture set is placed.

The last type of denture is an overdenture. With an overdenture, a patient might have some good, remaining teeth, though they are small in number. The dentist designs the overdenture to fit in place around the real teeth, to preserve as much integrity of the jaw as possible.

Who is a good candidate for dentures?

Dentures are ideal for patients with a variety of concerns:

Extensive tooth loss as a result of decay and poor oral health
Poor quality teeth, whether genetic or resulting from inadequate oral care
Severely damaged teeth from old age
Those who struggle with eating or speaking as a result of many missing teeth
Patients hoping to restore the structural integrity of their mouth and jaw as a result of teeth loss

How do I care for dentures?

As with one’s original teeth, dentures must be cared for in order to preserve their life. This requires frequent brushing with a soft-bristle toothbrush, regular rinsing of the dentures to remove food, debris, or bacteria that might be captured, and use of special products for both the adhesive and the rinse, and a toothbrush to keep the dentures in excellent condition.

Want to know more about dentures and whether they’re right or you? Contact us today.

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