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Dentures and Partial Dentures

Dentures and Partial Dentures

Dentures are substitutes for a tooth or teeth that are missing from the mouth and can be taken out or put back when required. There is an assortment of reasons that may lead to tooth loss. Removal of a tooth or teeth due to disease, tooth developmental defects, and trauma are some of the common causes of teeth loss. Dentures are kept in place by the support of surrounding hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. These restorative dental devices can be applied on either the maxillary arch or on the mandibular arch or both.

Dentures are made using the impressions of the patient’s teeth. Plaster is poured into a wax mold, shaped, and carved using the impression. Acrylics are used to impart the natural tooth color to the dentures. For the initial few weeks, dentures feel loose but with time the muscles of the oral cavity learn to keep them in place. Also, they may cause some irritation or soreness and increase the flow of saliva and cause difficulty in mastication or chewing. Patients are advised to start with a soft diet and avoid hard and sticky foods. These complications subside as your mouth adapts to the change.

Dentures are to be removed and cleaned after eating, brushed at least once daily, and soaked overnight in water or a denture-soaking solution.

What are the different types of dentures?

  1. Full dentures
    Full dentures replace all of the patient’s teeth. Full/complete dentures are of two types depending upon the time of placement. They are either ‘conventional’ or ‘immediate’. A conventional denture is placed after the teeth are removed and the gum tissue begins to heal. This is about 8-12 weeks after the teeth have been removed. Immediate dentures are positioned as soon as the teeth are removed. The advantage is that the wearer does not have to be without teeth until the healing takes place. However, multiple adjustments to the dentures are required once healing completes making immediate dentures a temporary solution. These are made up of resin or acrylic connected to a plate that fits in the roof of the mouth and is held in place by suction.

  2. Partial dentures
    Partial dentures are made up of a series of teeth linked with a metal band. The back sticks to the posterior surface of the existing teeth so that it cannot be seen by others. They also help prevent the remaining teeth from shifting. Made of acrylic, partial dentures are of two types namely removable and fixed partial dentures. The ones which can be removed without the help of a doctor are also known as removable partial dentures.  Dentures that are made from crowns that are fitted onto the teeth permanently are known as fixed partial dentures.

What are the benefits of using dentures?

  • Mastication – the chewing ability lost after losing the teeth is regained by the placement of dentures. Consequently, the nutrition obtained by the body is improved.

  • Pronunciation – replacing the teeth helps patients speak better, especially the words that contain sibilants.

  • Self-esteem – improved looks and speech enhances confidence and encourages interaction with other people.

  • Health – they provide support to facial muscles and prevent bone loss.

  • Aesthetics – as the presence of teeth restores the natural appearance of the face.

Our dental team at Bliss Dentistry in Campbell will help you get used to your dentures and give you back the life you used to have.

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