Dental Services : Prosthodontics : Dentures

Dentures

A denture acts as false teeth that replaces missing teeth and adjacent tissues. Unlike dental implants and tooth bridges, dentures are removable.

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Benefits of Dentures

  • Prevents existing teeth from drifting into surrounding space of the missing teeth.
  • Teeth out of position can damage tissues in the mouth.
  • False teeth set to help in chewing food.

Types of Dentures

There are two types of removable prostheses:

  1. Complete dentures 
  2. Partial dentures
Complete Overdenture
Dentures

Complete overdentures or full dentures are used when all the teeth are missing. They can be either “conventional” or “immediate”. The framework of the prostheses may be made of resin, metal or a combination.

Implant supported overdentures are an alternate to conventional overdentures that provide for better retention becuase it is placed over the dental implants posts with metal bar/balls to lock the false set of teeth in place.

Partial Prosthetics
Partial Denture

Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.

These removable partial prosthese consists of false teeth attached to a pink or gum-colored plastic base. They are connected by metal clasps or precision attachments that holds the denture in the mouth. Precision attachments are generally more esthetic than metal clasps and they are nearly invisible.

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Types of Denture Materials

There are three basic types of materials:

  1. Acrylic 
  2. Valplast 
  3. Metal frame 
Acrylic Dentures
acrylic denture

Partial acrylic dentures are affordable and normally takes the least amount of time to make. It is made of plastic or acrylic resin and attached onto natural teeth. Acrylic dentures are commonly used as immediate dentures or temporary dentures.

Benefits
  • Comfortable and affordable for missing teeth
  • Custom-fit
  • Easy and quick to produce or modify
  • Simple to wear
Valplast Dentures
valplast denture

Valplast are also known as flexible dentures. They are pressure-injected base made from thermoplastic nylon for partial dentures. The false teeth are lightweight, bio-compatible and comfortable.

Benefits
  • Comfortable and affordable for missing teeth
  • Custom-fitted for you
  • Easy and quick to produce or modify
  • Simple to wear
Metal Frame Dentures
Metal-frame Dentures

Dentures with metal frame base are durable for long term use. They are made with medically approved metals such as cobalt chrome, nylon resin and cobalt chrome. You can choose on the design of metal clasps or clips used to retent and stabilize the dentures onto existing teeth.

 
Benefits
  • Durable and strong and do not fracture easily compared to the alternatives.
  • An alternative to acrylic plastics that tend to cover the palate and mouth.
  • Do not change shape like acrylics as the mouth goes through changes. 

Procedure for Dentures Treatment

  1. First Evaulation 
    • if tooth extraction is required, the teeth are extracted and left to heal
  2. Making the prostheses
    • Once the gums are healed and healthy, an impression of the mouth is taken for a wax-up
    • The wax-up is used to determine the most optimal position of the jaw and teeth dimensions (size, shape, length, width)
    • The wax up is sent to a dental laboratory to construct a “try-in” set of denture
  3. Trial of “try-in” set of prosthetics and re-adjustments
    • The “try-in’ false teeth are placed in the mouth to assure comfort, fit, bite position and appearance, They are then re-worked in the labs and re-fitted during the next visits until the color, shape and proper fit is obtained for the final set of prosthetic to be cast
  4. Fitting of final dentures

Recovery Expectations

Recovery may be a two-step process. If extractions are necessary, you can expect the recovery of your gums to take up to 4 weeks or longer.

Once healed and the dentures are placed, you will need time to adjust to your new teeth. While you can speak normally within a few hours, you may experience minor discomfort when eating or chewing. This discomfort may last from several days to a few weeks until the muscles of your cheek and tongue learn to keep them in place. You will then get more comfortable inserting and removing them. We recommended eating soft foods until you become accustom with chewing.

it is not unusual for minor irritation or soreness to occur or for saliva flow to increase when you first start wearing your prosthese. These problems will diminish as your mouth adjusts.

Postcare Instructions for Dentures

  • Remove your prosthese at night to give your gums a rest and reduce the pressure on the underlying bone or as directed by your dentist
  • Brush and clean with a soft denture brush and paste after eating to remove plaque and food stains.
  • Keep your dentures in water to avoid drying out and distorting.
  • If dropped onto a hard surface, it can break, so do becareful when handling them.
  • Clean and massage your gums and tongue with a regular soft-bristled toothbrush to help keep them healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Dentures

Yes, dental implants can be used to support permanently cemented bridges, eliminating the need for a denture. Implant supported overdentures may also be considered that gives better retention than conventional dentures. The cost of implants however is usually greater, but the implants and bridges more closely resemble the feel of real teeth. Dental implants are becoming the alternative to dentures but not everyone is a candidate for implants. Consult your dentist for advice.

Dentures are made to closely resemble your natural teeth so there should be no noticeable change to your appearance. In fact, dentures may even improve your smile and fill out your facial appearance.

Eating with new dentures will take a little practice and may be uncomfortable for some wearers for a few weeks. To get used to them, start with soft foods cut into small pieces. Chew slowly using both sides of your mouth. As you get more used to it, add other foods until you return to your normal diet. Be cautious with hot or hard foods and sharp-edged bones or shells. Avoid foods that are extremely sticky or hard. You may want to avoid chewing gum. Also, do not use toothpicks while wearing your prosthese.

You may have difficulty pronouncing certain words. If so, practice by saying the difficult words out loud. With practice and with time you will become accustomed to speaking properly with your denture.

If your dentures “click” while you’re talking, you should contact your dentist. Your prosthese may occasionally slip when you laugh, cough, or smile. Reposition themby gently biting down and swallowing. If any speaking problem persists, consult your dentist or prosthodontist

Your dentist or prosthodontist will instruct you as to how long to wear your denture and when to remove it. During the first several days after receiving your denture, you may be asked to wear it all the time, including while you sleep. Although this may be temporarily uncomfortable, it is the quickest way to identify the areas on your new prosthese that may need adjustment. Once adjustments are made, you should remove them before going to bed. This allows your gum tissues to rest and allows normal stimulation and cleansing by the tongue and saliva. You can put them back in your mouth in the morning.

Denture adhesives enhance retention, stability, bite force and an individual’s sense of security. It may be considered under the following circumstances:

  1. To enhance your satisfaction with a properly constructed denture.
  2. To provide added stability and security for those who place unusual demands on their facial muscles, such as public speakers or musicians

Types of Adhesives

Paste application. Apply to a dry or preferably wet denture. Avoid placing adhesive close to the prosthese borders. If the adhesive oozes, use less of the product. For dentures on the upper jaw, apply three short strips of adhesive-or s series of small dots-along the ridge area and one down the center. For dentures on the lower jaw, apply three short strips of adhesive-or s series of small dots-in the center of the ridge area.

Powder application. Sprinkle a thin, uniform layer throughout the tissue-bearing surface of the denture. Shake off excess powder and press the denture into place. Powders may be preferred over pastes because they are easier to clean off the denture and tissue. In addition, they don’t have the same tendency as pastes do to “shim” (keep the denture away from the tissue).

Tips to consider when applying denture adhesives

  • Use the minimum amount necessary to provide the maximum benefit.
  • Apply less than you think you need, and then gradually increase the amount until you feel comfortable.
  • Distribute the adhesive evenly on the tissue bearing surface of the denture
  • Apply or reapply when necessary to provide the desired effect
  • Always apply the adhesive to a thoroughly clean set of false teeth 
  1. When used as a “fix” for ill-fitting or poorly constructed dentures. If your set of false tooth begin to feel loose, cause discomfort or cause sores to develop, contact your dentist.
  2. When a dentist has not evaluated your dentures for a long time. Dentures rest on gum tissue and your jawbone, which shrink and deteriorate, respectively, over time. Therefore, the real problem might be a need for a denture adjustment or new dentures.
  3. When oral hygiene practices cannot be sustained.
  4. When adhesives have been used for a long time, especially when visits to the dentist are infrequent, and when the frequency and volume of the adhesive use increases. These developments may indicate the need for a denture adjustment or new dentures.
  5. When any known allergy exists to the adhesive’s ingredients.

Dental adhesives are safe as long as they are used as they were meant to be used. If your prosthese is well-fitting, there should be no ill effects. If adhesives are used excessively to fill voids for an ill-fitting set of false teeth, they can be harmful to the underlying soft and hard tissues. Occasionally, in these cases, inflammation of the soft tissues can result. In addition, because of its movement on the soft tissue and underlying bone. Poor or ill-fitting prosthetics can cause bone loss.

Conclusion - Dental Crowns

Dentures is one prosthetic option in prosthodontics to replace one or several missing gaps using partial dentures. Full jaw missing teeth using full dentures. Dentures are economical and removable for easy cleaning. Acrylic or resin dentures are typically temporary or medium term options that may need replacing over time. Metal frame dentures enables longer term use.   

The treatment process for dentures will require several visits and adjustments, especially for full dentures. For edentulous jaw, aside from complete dentures, implant-supported dentures may be an option.  

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