Dentures operate as replacements for missing teeth in your upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. These are removable and can be taken out and put back in the mouth as and when required. They can be partial or complete, depending on the number of teeth they intend to replace. These artificial teeth are custom-made from various materials like acrylic, resin, nylon, metal, and porcelain.
Types of Dentures
Dentures are crafted based on individual needs and to solve a unique underlying issue. The correct option is recommended by your doctor depending on your requirements, both in terms of functionality and aesthetics.
Full Dentures
Full dentures or complete dentures are the go-to image for artificial ones. Essentially, it consists of a complete set of artificial teeth and a gum-colored base that replaces an entire section of missing teeth. They are affixed onto the gums and rest on either the palate (for the upper jaw) or the jawbone ridge (for the lower jaw) for support. These are removable and often taken out at night to help the natural gums rest.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are applied if one or several teeth are missing, but not the entire section in the upper or lower jaw. The gums and jawbone support these, and also have special clasps or hooks enclosed around the natural teeth for additional grip.
Immediate Dentures
As the name suggests, these are applied immediately and are mostly temporary. Immediate dentures are helpful in case of tooth extractions and are applied as a temporary measure, before being replaced with the final ones.
Implant-retained Dentures
Unlike regular ones, which are supported entirely by the jawbone ridge or gums, implant-retained ones are affixed to dental implants. In this case, small posts are placed in the jawbone to replace missing teeth. Implant-retained dentures offer better stability and do not require denture glue to secure them in the mouth. These fake teeth can be removed at night.
Implant-supported Dentures
These are permanent sets of dentures, which cannot be removed easily. For people who prefer not to remove dental plates frequently, dentists recommend implant-supported dentures. However, these require high maintenance in terms of daily cleaning, flossing, and overall dental hygiene.
Treatment Process
Initial Consultation
As the first step, your dentist in Kolkata will perform a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, and jaw structure to determine if you are eligible for dental plates, and then will decide the type of dentures suitable for you. The type of dental plates and other procedures, if any, depend upon multiple factors like the number of missing teeth, the duration of missing teeth, bone density and volume in the jaw, alignment between the jaws, as well as personal preferences like removability and aesthetics, are also taken into consideration.
After the consultation, the process of crafting custom ones begins, taking into account all of the above aspects.
Crafting Dentures
There are several steps in fabricating a customised denture, designed based on the inputs sought during the initial consultation:
- Dental Impressions – At first, dental impressions are taken of your upper and lower jaws, which include the gums and the remaining teeth. There may be two impressions needed – a preliminary and then a final one.
- Dental Model – The impressions are then sent to a dental lab, where a dental technician will use them to craft a model of your mouth in stone. This model will be used to create the custom denture.
- Customisation – Denture crafting is done using the model with wax blocks, which helps the dental technician determine where the artificial teeth will be placed. Based on the material selected (acrylic, resin, or nylon), the technician builds the base of the denture. At the end, artificial teeth are placed on the base to ensure that the upper and lower teeth fit together correctly.
- Polishing – Once the new dentures are created, the technician will polish them for a natural appearance and send them back to the dentist for fitting.
Denture Fitting
The new dentures are placed in the mouth to check the fit. Your dentist will ensure that no excess pressure is put onto the gums, for which necessary adjustments are made to the denture.
This process may require multiple visits to the dentist to ensure a proper fit, as the soft mouth tissues take time to adjust to the new denture.
How are Dentures Beneficial?
Dentures offer several benefits. Mostly:
- Restore the chewing function of the jaws
- Enhance the appearance of the face
- Improve speech function
Challenges with Dentures
While dentures work wonders for the replacement of missing teeth, they do come with some challenges, especially the traditional removable ones. Oftentimes, traditional ones become fidgety and tend to slip out of place while speaking or chewing. Further, in the longer term, the jawbone may tend to shrink due to tooth loss, which can cause sunken cheeks that affect facial appearance.
Post Treatment Aspects
How long does it take to get used to Dentures?
This depends on various aspects, as each case is different. For some, it can just be a few weeks, while for others, it may take several months to get used to the new ones. Initially, it would require several adjustments in the first couple of weeks to get the desired fit.
How long do Dentures last?
Dentures typically have a lifespan of 7 to 10 years, after which most people will need them replaced.
It is important to note that a denture realignment should be done every one to two years, or whenever you notice changes in your denture fit. During realignment, your dentist will add material to your denture to ensure a more comfortable fit.
How to care for Dentures?
Proper care and maintenance can ensure your dental plates are in good condition and last longer in use. Here are a few general guidelines to make sure they last as long as possible:
- Remove your fake teeth at the end of every day.
- Clean your dentures using a denture brush and paste.
- Soak it overnight in a denture solution.
- Brush your gums, tongue, inner cheeks, roof of your mouth, and any remaining teeth twice a day to remove plaque and debris.
When should you see the dentist?
In some cases, you may have to see your dentist if you feel your dental prostheses are not working as intended. Some of the scenarios can be:
- If your dentures feel loose
- They hurt or pinch your gums
- Trouble speaking, especially if they click while talking
- If they get damaged or discoloured over time.
- They are more than 10 years old
If you observe any of the above, you should go for denture replacement.
Should we sleep with dentures on?
It is essential to remove your dentures for at least 8 hours a day. This will help to:
- Give your gums some rest
- Avoid harmful oral bacteria buildup
- Ensure jawbone strength for longer
Conclusion
Dentures offer much-needed respite from difficulty in everyday basic tasks due to missing teeth, and they enhance your facial appearance. They are customised for individual needs to ensure you get a stress-free, fully functioning mouth. Your dentist can help design a personalised denture based on your specific needs.
Consult Ur’s Toothfully Full Mouth Rehabilitation and Implant Centre for a stress-free procedure!
Getting the right denture is essential to ensure a beautiful smile that stays with you for years. We at Ur’s Toothfully Full Mouth Rehabilitation and Implant Centre specialise in addressing your dental woes with our customised denture options. Our experienced team of dentists is well-equipped with the latest technology and remains committed to a comfortable experience for our clients. Schedule an appointment with us today!
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