Dentures are removable oral prosthetics for replacing missing teeth and the surrounding gum tissue. Dentures can replace teeth in the upper or lower jaw, or in both of them. There are two main types of denture, namely partial and complete dentures. Partial dentures replace several missing teeth in either your lower or upper jaw. Complete dentures, on the other hand, replace an entire set of missing teeth on the upper or lower jaw.
that dentures need to be periodically adjusted or replaced as the shape of your jawbone changes over time.
The consultation phase involves an assessment of your oral health and lets you discuss your cosmetic and dental expectations with your dentist. The dentists will then examine your remaining teeth and gums to determine whether dentures are an appropriate treatment for you. If so, the dentist will create a treatment plan, which entails taking impressions of your gums and teeth before proceeding to the next step.
The dentist will send your dental impressions to a lab where they’ll fabricate your dentures. Denture fabrication takes six weeks to three months depending on the type of dentures. After fabrication, the dentist will call you in to fit the dentures. During the fitting, the dentist will place the dentures in your mouth and ensure they fit snugly and are comfortable to wear.
The dentist will make necessary adjustments to the dentures if they don’t fit as they should. They'll then check the bite alignment and ask whether you feel any pain and discomfort while wearing the dentures. Dentures can feel uncomfortable and even painful if they fit incorrectly.
It takes quite some time before you get used to your dentures. This period is what is known as the adjustment period. This adjustment period usually lasts about 30 days before your denture feels like your normal teeth. The dentist might schedule follow-up visits to check the progress of your denture treatment.
These are the most common type of dentures that replace teeth in the entire upper or lower jaw. These dentures sit on top of the gums and attach to an acrylic base kept in place by adhesive or metal fasteners.
Unlike traditional dentures, partial dentures replace a couple of missing teeth on either jaw. They consist of a pink-colored base attached to a metal piece that holds the dentures. They’re extremely useful for preventing natural teeth from moving into the gap left by the missing teeth.
Immediate dentures, as the name implies, are dentures that the dentist installs within the same day of extracting your teeth. They can either be partial or complete dentures, but they’re only a temporary solution while you wait for your actual dentures.
that dentures can be made of different materials, including acrylic resin, metal, or a combination of both?
Dentures might feel uncomfortable for the first few weeks after fitting them. This discomfort arises from the friction between the dentures and your gums that eventually causes soreness. Dentists recommend taking painkillers to ease the discomfort.
You can go back to your normal diet after getting dentures. However, there are certain foods dentists advise against, especially during the first few weeks after getting your surgery. They include hard foods like raw carrots and sticky foods like caramel and toffee.
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