Prosthetic Tooth and Dentures

What are Dentures?

A denture is a custom-made design material that replaces missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Dentures are uniquely made to resemble missing teeth in appearance and function. They allow a person to eat, chat and even smile with confidence. They can be removable or fixed, depending on the patient's needs and preferences.

Dentures are not only about aesthetics. They are also very important for oral health. When there are missing teeth, bone loss, shifting of the remaining teeth, chewing and speech problems occur. Replacing missing teeth with a denture helps prevent these problems and contributes to a healthy oral cavity in the long term.

Full Prosthesis

Full prosthetic dentures are designed to replace all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. This complete denture consists of artificial teeth mounted on a gum-colored acrylic base. They are held in place with dental adhesives.

Conventional full dentures are made after the gums have healed following tooth extraction. The process usually takes several months. Immediate full dentures are fitted immediately after tooth extraction. It allows teeth to be put back in place immediately during healing, but often requires frequent adjustments as the gums shrink.

Advantages and Benefits of Dental Prostheses

Basic functions are restored with prostheses. Tooth loss can be accompanied by chewing and articulation difficulties. Dentures solve these problems by providing efficient food intake and clear pronunciation.

Increases aesthetic appeal. Designed to mimic the look and feel of a natural tooth, dentures enhance your smile and overall facial contours while preserving muscular facial structure to prevent a sunken appearance.

Maintain bone health. When teeth are missing, bone loss in the jawbone is common due to lack of stimulation. Dentures, especially implants, stimulate your bone. It helps to maintain density and structure.

A restored, complete smile can boost self-confidence. Dentures allow patients to laugh, smile and participate in social interactions without worrying about gaps or imperfections.

Supports long-term oral health. Replacing missing teeth eliminates the potential shifting of remaining teeth, reducing the risks of periodontal disease, tooth decay and malocclusion.

Relieves speech difficulties caused by missing teeth and provides comfort. While missing teeth can make pronunciation and chewing difficult, dentures allow for clearer speech and more comfortable eating. They protect the health of the remaining teeth by filling gaps that can lead to decay or misalignment problems.

If medically necessary, dentures are covered by insurance, but many people prefer to have them custom-made. Visit our local clinic for a quote. Our staff will be happy to help you with your inquiry.

Prosthesis Fabrication Process

Inserting the prostheses and making them precisely so that they look natural requires several steps. It usually takes a few weeks and the following are the general steps.

Attaching Your Dentures

The prosthesis can be held in place by a variety of methods, depending on the type. Partial Dentures are mostly designed with clasps that are securely attached to adjacent natural teeth for stability.

Full upper dentures depend on suction created by a thin layer of saliva between the denture and the roof of the mouth.

Full lower dentures can be more difficult to balance with less gum support. For some, it takes time and patience to learn how to balance them using your cheeks and tongue.

Should You Use Denture Adhesives?

Denture adhesives can help in some cases. They can increase the retention and stability of well-fitting dentures, providing a greater sense of confidence.

They can be used in cases of dry mouth. People with dry mouth due to medication, age, medical conditions, etc. are situations where an adhesive can help. It will also be useful in cases where the facial muscles are constantly moving.

Well-fitting dentures rarely require adhesive to stay in place. However, if there is significant resorption of the jawbone, adhesives can be useful in improving the retention of the denture. Your dentist or clinical dental technician will be able to tell you if an adhesive would be useful in your case.

How to Remove Denture Adhesive

Gently brush your dentures with soap and warm water to remove any adhesive residue. Any adhesive left in your mouth can be removed with a damp cloth or kitchen roll.

How to properly care for your Dentures

Dentures need proper care for their durability and oral hygiene. The following recommendations should be followed to ensure that the prosthesis is in the best possible condition.

Daily Routine in Denture Care

Remove your dentures at night. This gives your gums time to rest and maintain oral hygiene. Your denture should be kept soaked in either a glass of water or some type of denture cleaning solution, as it should not dry out or warp.

Clean your denture at least twice a day using a denture brush and a suitable paste or soap. Clean all surfaces, including those in contact with the gums.

Follow oral hygiene. Even if you wear full dentures, you should brush your gums, tongue, inner cheeks and roof of your mouth twice a day to remove plaque and debris. If you have natural teeth left, brush them with fluoride toothpaste and floss regularly.

Clean dentures on a soft towel or a bowl of water to prevent breakage in case of a fall. Some dentures have soft liners that require special cleaning solutions. Consult your dentist before using any products.

Always store dentures in water or a designated solution when not in use to prevent material deterioration. Oral hygiene should not be neglected even when wearing full dentures. Daily brushing of the gums, tongue and palate removes bacteria and small food particles that can cause infections such as thrush and gum disease.

Eating with Prostheses

Getting used to eating with dentures takes time and patience. At first, it is advisable to eat soft foods that are easy to chew and divided into small, manageable pieces. Chew slowly and evenly using both sides of your mouth to maintain balance and prevent the dentures from dislodging.

Foods to Avoid in the Beginning

Avoid some foods while you are getting used to your new dentures. Sticky foods are the most important of these. Chewing gum can stick to the dentures and dislodge them.

Hard foods that can put too much pressure on the dentures, such as nuts and raw vegetables, should not be eaten. Foods with sharp edges, crusty bread or potato chips that can rub against the gums should also not be eaten.

After a period of getting used to it, add more food products to your diet until you can consume almost all the foods you like.

Alternatives to Dentures

In addition to traditional dentures, there is another alternative, and the most important one is dental implants. Implants can be used as support for fixed bridges that can effectively replace missing teeth without the need to remove them. This alternative procedure can be more functional than traditional dentures, which are more expensive, and much closer in look and feel to a real tooth.

All on 4 Implants

All on 6 Implants

Full Mouth Restoration

Dental Implants or Dentures?

In terms of improved stability and comfort, implants are attached to the lower jaw where dentures are permanently fixed, so there is no slippage. As a permanent solution, dentures tend to change over time because they are under constraints. In contrast, implants are structurally designed with a permanent solution.

Bone preservation-wise, implants prevent bone deterioration by stimulating the jawbone, which regresses when teeth are missing. Dental implants also help stabilize dentures, making them more comfortable to wear. Implant-supported dentures do not slip or protrude, making it easier to speak and eat.

Candidates suitable for dental implants vary in their situation. It is necessary to see a dentist who will help find the best solution for their individual needs, appropriate bone density and oral health condition.