Full or partial tooth loss, if left untreated, doesn’t just affect a person’s self-image — it can also increase the risk of developing nutritional problems and other systemic health disorders.
Fortunately, a reliable and time-tested method for treating this condition is full or partial Removable Dentures.
Dentures are just one option for replacing missing teeth; others include fixed bridgework and dental implants.
Each method has particular pluses and minuses, which should be carefully considered. Several varieties of dentures, from partial dentures to implant-supported overdentures, are available to address specific issues. The best option for you will depend on your situation.
How Do Removable Dentures Work?
Full or partial dentures consist of a gum-colored base of plastic resin, which fits over the remaining alveolar (bone) ridge that formerly held the teeth.
The prosthetic teeth projecting from the base are designed to look and function just like your natural teeth. Dentures are held in place primarily by the suctioning effect of their close fit against the alveolar ridges — that’s why it’s so important that they are correctly fitted.
The upper denture also gets extra support from the large surface area of the roof of the mouth (palate), which generally makes it extremely stable.
At first, wearing dentures may require some getting used to talking and eating as the dentures become “balanced” in the space formerly occupied by the teeth.
But over time, the muscles, nerves, and ligaments of the mouth learn to work in new ways, which allows these functions to occur usually. Dentures also help support the facial skeleton and the soft tissues of the lips and cheeks, which can help create a more youthful appearance.
Types of Full Removable Dentures
Removable dentures types. Immediate Dentures: These are usually a temporary means of helping you transition
to successful denture wearing.
Because of the muscular readjustment required and the natural shrinkage of gums, dentures placed immediately after tooth extraction won’t fit, and permanent dentures are made when the healing is complete. However, they provide you with new teeth right away, giving you time to adjust.
Conventional Full Removable Dentures: After a while, permanent dentures that conform to your mouth with near-perfect accuracy can be fabricated. These are carefully crafted to look as much like your natural teeth as possible and can function properly in your mouth for a long time.
Implant-Supported Overdentures: Two or more dental implants can securely anchor a lower or upper denture, increasing its stability.
Due to its lesser bone density, the upper jaw requires more implants (generally three or more) than the lower jaw. This option offers an outstanding balance of comfort, functionality, and value.
Types of Partial Dentures
Transitional Partial Dentures: These relatively inexpensive removable plastic dentures serve as temporary tooth replacements and space maintainers while you wait for your mouth to heal from tooth extraction, for example. Once the healing process is complete, dental implants can be placed.
Removable Partial Dentures (RPDs): Usually made of cast vitallium, these well-constructed, metal-based removable partial dentures are much lighter and less obtrusive than plastic ones. They are slightly more expensive than plastic Removable Dentures but will fit better. They are, however, much less expensive than implants or fixed bridgework.
How Dentures Are Made and Fitted
Making quality dentures is a blend of science and art. First, an accurate impression (mold) is made of the alveolar ridges on the top and bottom of your mouth.
The denture base is made from this mold in a dental laboratory. Working together, the dentist and lab technician choose from many different prosthetic teeth sizes and shapes to re-create a natural-looking smile. When everyone is satisfied with the result, the temporary dentures are made in permanent form.
Balancing your bite is crucial to enabling normal speech and eating. This means that the upper and lower dentures come together and stabilize each other properly. The form and function of the dentures are carefully checked to ensure that they are working and fitting properly.
What to Expect After You Get Dentures
If you’ve recently lost your teeth and received an immediate denture, it’s normal to find some tissue shrinkage and bone loss occurring.
Therefore, in several months, you may find that your immediate dentures no longer fit well. You will have two choices now: You can have your immediate (temporary) dentures re-lined.
This means that material is added under the denture’s base to better conform to the new contours of your alveolar ridge. A better option is to move to a set of conventional complete dentures, which will last longer and fit better. With proper care, dentures offer a functional, aesthetic, and economical solution to the problem of tooth loss.
