Dentures 101: Why Dentures Are Making A Comeback in Tooth Replacement
What Are Dentures?
A denture is a dental prosthetic apparatus developed to replace missing teeth. The oral cavity’s hard and soft tissues serve as its primary support. But the denture itself is held together by a prosthetic gum tray.
While the faux teeth are usually made of resin or porcelain, the prosthetic gum is composed of acrylic, nylon, metal, or a mixture of all three.
4 Basic Types of Dentures
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Partial Dentures
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Full Dentures
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Immediate Dentures
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Implant-Supported Dentures
Partial dentures are recommended for patients who have only a few missing teeth that require replacing. Hence, the word “partial.” These fixtures are often mistaken for dental bridges because of their function of replacing a few teeth. The difference is that partials are conveniently removable.
Metal partials have metal clasps, hooks, or clips on specific positions on the gum-tinted plastic tray. Said clasps are what keep the entire apparatus in place as they can be anchored onto the natural teeth around your tooth-ridden gums.
Plastic partials do not have this feature. Instead, its clips are directly molded onto the plastic gum tray.
Complete dentures are for the replacement of all of a patient’s teeth on either the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. A conventional full denture is held in place in the form of a seal as the prosthetic is crafted in a close-fit manner.
Once worn, it fits right along where the underlying gum or the bone tissue can be found.
Full dentures in South Hadley are put in place within a span of 8 to 12 weeks after a patient’s tooth has been removed and the affected gum area has healed.
Immediate dental prosthetics are not for everybody. Candidates for this tooth replacement device are carefully diagnosed to learn if they are suited for this type of dental fixture or not. If they are, they can get dentures soon after they have their teeth removed.
Dentures-in-a-day is for patients who have uncommon oral conditions, which may prevent them from tolerating invasive oral procedures (i.e., surgery). Our South Hadley emergency dentist may also recommend prosthetic teeth for those who have abnormal jaw anatomy, exaggerated or severe palatal reflexes, and dexterity problems.
An implant-supported denture is permanently embedded into the jawline. The implant portion consists of an abutment, an implant post, and a crown.
Patients whose gums and bone tissues have become too soft to support traditional dentures can opt for this implant-supported variation. Implant-supported dentures are also an excellent choice for those who are looking for a tooth replacement option that offers longevity and sturdiness.
Why Dentures?
Easy to Remove
An advantage that non-implanted dentures have is that they can be easily removed and put back on. This allows patients to clean it easily.
Dentures do not require extensive cleaning. Brush and floss them the way you would with your natural teeth. Plus, soak them overnight in a solution of a denture-cleansing product and water to further get rid of bacteria.
No More Tooth Decay
Since prosthetic teeth are comprised of synthetic materials that are impervious to acids and bacteria, they will not be worn down by decay. Having said this, they should still be taken care of in order to prevent particle build-up in their nooks and crannies. Not caring for your dentures properly may cause bad breath and, later on, prosthetic discoloration and weakening.
With proper oral hygiene, you can have your tooth replacement prosthesis for a long time and without having to worry about cavities.
Facial Muscle Support
Not all tooth replacement options have this feature—the ability to support facial muscles. Gaps in teeth, along with muscle or skin sagging due to age, can bring about the appearance of hollowness in parts of the jawline where teeth are missing.
Besides replacing your teeth, a denture tray can serve as a structural foundation to hold up the surrounding muscles and skin. As a result, your face will have a fuller, livelier look.
General dentistry provides numerous alternatives for dentures that are suitable for your dental health condition. They are economical and are as convenient to wear as they are to maintain.
To learn more about dentures or to schedule a consultation with our South Hadley dentist, contact South Hadley Dental Group.