Whether you’re thinking about obtaining dentures, currently wear them, or know someone who does, you probably have some questions. This post will explain what dentures are, how to properly care for them, and how they can enhance your oral health, as well as revealing the best affordable dentures for your cosmetic dentistry needs.
What Exactly Are Dentures?
Dentures are removable replacements for missing natural teeth and gums that are custom-made by dentists to fit each patient’s mouth. Full dentures replace all of the teeth on the upper or lower gum line, while partial dentures replace only some of the teeth. Cosmetic dentures of any type can be made to seem natural and fit perfectly in your mouth.
What Are Dentures Fabricated from?
Older dentures might have used porcelain or plastic for replacement teeth, but today’s dentures are often crafted from a hard resin material. While todays dentures are hard and close to a natural set of teeth in texture and appearance, they are still susceptible to chipping and breakage, so you are always advised to be careful with the way you handle them.
The base of dentures, which anchors the false teeth in place and mimics the gum line, is typically crafted from the same resin as the teeth themselves, or a more flexible polymer material that rests comfortably against the gums.
Why bother with Getting Dentures?
Dentures do not only improve a smile by replacing missing teeth, but they equally help to boost oral health by preventing both the tissues and bone around the cheeks and lips from certain deterioration. Dentures also allow you to continue your normal diet and get the nutrition you need because you can chew food with them. Finally, dentures are an option for people who need to replace teeth due to significant injury, decay, or infection. Dentures are a reliable and aesthetically pleasing solution for replacing your missing natural set of teeth.
There are two main types of dentures, namely; partial and complete dentures.
Partial Dentures
When more than two teeth are lost or when the surrounding teeth aren’t healthy enough to support dental bridges, partial dentures are frequently the best option for replacing missing teeth.
A partial denture is custom-made for the area of the gums it will rest on and secured in place by clasping onto neighboring teeth. But they’re not permanently attached, so you can take them out whenever you want to clean them or take them out at night to sleep.
Complete Dentures
Complete dentures, also called full dentures, are false teeth meant to replace a full arch of missing natural set of teeth. You can get them custom-made for either your upper or lower gum line, and once in place, they stay put with the use of suction and/or an oral adhesive. They can be taken out and replaced just like partial dentures.
Immediate Dentures and Dental Implants Overdentures
In addition to the conventional, permanent dentures, there are additional types of complete and partial dentures, such as immediate dentures. These temporary dentures are made in advance of the teeth being extracted so that the patient can have something to chew on immediately following the procedure and during the healing period, which can be anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. As the swelling in the gums and jaw decreases during recovery, these dentures can be readily fitted to adapt to the changes. After the healing procedure is complete and you’re ready for permanent dentures, the temporary ones will be taken off.
If conventional dentures cause you significant discomfort or if you still have some of your teeth, you may want to consider overdentures as an option. If there are no teeth left in place to fit over, an overdenture can rest on dental implants instead. This form of denture is preferred by some patients because it offers a more natural-feeling and can be removed quickly and effortlessly.
Dentures Secured with Dental Implants
These type of dentures are secured in place using dental implants which are replacement tooth roots that are surgically inserted into the jawbone. A dental implant consists of the implant itself, a metal post (often titanium), and a custom crown made to look like a natural tooth.
Although there are a few alternative attachment methods for implant-supported dentures, they still require the same level of care and attention as conventional dentures. Because the upper jaw is easier to insert implants into, this is where they are typically placed, but many people have implants in both the upper and lower jaws.
How do Dentists Create False Teeth?
When you lose a tooth, the socket starts to fill with bone and the gum tissue recovers and reshapes itself. After a few months, the gums and bone will have settled into their final form. After this period, often between 8 and 12 weeks after the teeth have been pulled or lost, a traditional complete denture is fabricated.
The first step in making a denture is to take several impressions of the patient’s gums, teeth, and other oral structures. This impression material will be used by a dental laboratory to create replicas of the patient’s mouth. Next, the dentist and lab technician will begin fabricating the dentures based on these models, trying them in the patient’s mouth at each stage to check for comfort, create a good bite, and make sure the final product looks good. For the average patient, a denture takes four to five appointments with the dentist over a four-week period. After the denture is supplied, the patient will need to come a few times within the first month for modifications.
In many cases, the day teeth are extracted, the patient can go home with a new set of false teeth (immediate dentures). Dentures of this type are fabricated in advance of tooth extraction and inserted on the same day. The front teeth are sometimes left in place until the day the denture is supplied, while the back teeth are extracted first. This denture needs to be adjusted more frequently throughout the healing phase since it doesn’t fit the bone and gum tissue as snugly as a traditional denture does. It is recommended that an immediate denture be utilized as a stopgap measure until the patient’s gums and bones have fully healed and a permanent denture can be fabricated.
Instructions for Maintaining Your Dentures
Dentures, false teeth, or both require daily maintenance, just like natural teeth. Natural looking dentures may be crafted from durable materials and made to resemble real teeth, but like real teeth, they are susceptible to tartar, plaque, and germ buildup which can lead to the damage of surrounding teeth as well as gums.
So it is advisable to remove your dentures from your mouth and rinse them under running water to remove any food debris from the crevices between the teeth, along the gum line, or underneath the base. Next, clean the dentures well with a denture brush or very soft toothbrush and mild soap or denture cleanser. Avoid using anything abrasive, such as ordinary toothpaste or an electric toothbrush, as doing so can scratch or otherwise harm your dentures.
Clean your gums and any remaining real teeth while your dentures are out of your mouth using a very soft, wet toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste, if necessary. Instead of brushing hard on your gums, you can instead dampen a washcloth and use it as a finger wrap to gently touch and clean all areas of your gums.
How to Take Care of Dentures Replacing Your Missing Teeth
Dentures should be taken out each night to prevent breakage, dislodgement, and sore gums, as well as to give your gums a rest while you sleep. You may prevent your dentures from drying out and warping by completely immersing them in warm (not hot) water. Denture soaking solution can tarnish metal parts, so only use it if your dentures are entirely plastic.
The Advantages of Tooth Replacement using the Dentures that Work Best for You
When you need teeth replaced, it’s not just about aesthetics. The mouth is an integral element of the digestive system that allows us to take in food and liquids. Therefore, restoring missing teeth benefits your general well-being. Here are some more gains from having teeth replaced:
- Eating in peace and relative comfort
- Gained assurance in social and interpersonal situations
- Reduced potential for speech impairment
- Improved dietary habits
FAQs About Best Dentures in Houston
Dentures seem like a great option, but I was wondering if it was even possible to acquire them after so many years?
A person’s jawbone will begin to atrophy if they have been toothless for a long time. Teeth replacements can be problematic if the jawbone has retracted. Those in need of advice and assistance in this area are encouraged to schedule an appointment with a dentist.
When do people typically adjust to their new dentures?
Dentures require some practice to get acclimated to, since your mouth will have to become used to functioning with an artificial tooth replacement. A wearer of natural looking dentures should allow themselves four to six weeks to adjust to their new teeth.
Are dentures simple to maintain?
Yes. Cleaning dentures requires a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste or specific denture cleanser, and should be done at least once a day. In order to keep their form, they must be submerged in water for an entire night.
Just how long do dentures typically last?
Proper denture maintenance can extend their useful life from five to ten years. As with real teeth, dentures eventually wear out and need to be replaced. Regular dental checkups are crucial for people who have dentures because the dentures must be examined to ensure that there are no loose dentures and that your dentures are functioning correctly.
Visit Discover Dental Center for The Best Dentures in Houston
If you want the best in cosmetic dentistry and dental care for yourself and members of your family, you should visit Discover Dental in Houston, Tx. Our dentists are highly qualified, trained, skilled, and experienced in providing you with the best, affordable dentures in Houston. We start off with a consultation meeting where we discuss your case while conducting a thorough examination to know what dentures would be best suited to your dental needs.
Whether its immediate, partial or complete dentures you need, you can be sure that our dentists will advise appropriately providing you with pre and post operational instructions for quick, stable recovery. So you can get started with us today by simply giving us a call – tel: (713) 997-9390 or booking an appointment online.
