Dentures Still an Option for Replacing many Teeth
Depending on the individual need, partial or full dentures are still an option for patients. Partial dentures are created when some of the patient's natural teeth remain. Full dentures are used when a patient has no natural teeth remaining.
There are two types of full dentures.
Conventional full dentures
This appliance is created after all the natural teeth are removed from a patient’s mouth. The denture is not placed until the mouth and gum tissue have had sufficient time to heal, so a patient could be without teeth for months as the mouth and gums heal.
Immediate full dentures
In this application, when the teeth are removed, the denture is ready to be placed in the mouth. This is accomplished by taking precise measurements in advance, and having the denture fabricated before the natural teeth are removed. When the appliance is ready, the natural teeth are pulled and the dentures can be placed in the mouth. The benefit of this procedure is the patient is not without teeth for an extended period.
Follow-up visits will needed by the patient in both procedures so the dentist can re-fit the denture if the jawbone has slightly changed shape as the mouth heals. Dentures usually need to be tightened as the jaw heals.
Partial dentures
A partial denture is similar to a bridge, and is used when some natural teeth remain. However, a partial denture is not a permanent fixture in your mouth.
Patients must be patience as their mouths adjust to dentures.
The flesh-colored base of the appliance is placed over the gum, and patients often complain that the denture is too bulky. During the first few months, patients often have speech difficulties because the tongue is still getting accustomed to the denture.
Until the patient, and the mouth adjust to the denture, it may feel loose or feel like it doesn’t fit correctly. Over time, the mouth grows accustomed to the denture and it becomes a natural part of the mouth.
Dentures are cared for like natural teeth. The denture is removed from the mouth and brushed to remove plaque and food particles. After the denture is brushed, it should be placed in room temperature water or a denture cleaning solution.
Hot water should never be used because it can warp the denture. Handle a denture with care.
It’s a delicate appliance and patients should never attempt to adjust a denture at home. All adjustments should be done by a dentist.