When it comes to maintaining facial aesthetics, replacing missing teeth with dentures is essential. Without the support of teeth, your cheeks and jaw may start to sag, resulting in a more aged appearance.

With full or partial dentures, you can restore your smile and regain the ability to chew and bite, allowing you to enjoy a wide variety of foods that you may have had to avoid when you had missing teeth.

Although dentures provide a cosmetic solution for replacing teeth, they function as prosthetic replacements rather than natural teeth. It's important to understand that, like a prosthetic limb, dentures may have certain limitations in terms of functionality when compared to real teeth. The stability of dentures varies from person to person, impacting the range of foods that denture wearers can comfortably eat. Your dentist can provide guidance on foods to avoid or ways to adapt your eating habits, such as cutting meat into smaller pieces for easier chewing. Speaking with dentures may require some adjustment, especially when pronouncing certain sounds like "s" or "th." However, any initial speech difficulty usually improves with practice.

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are comprised of a plastic base that is molded and colored to resemble your gums. The teeth attached to this base are typically made of plastic acrylic. Both the color of the gums and the teeth are customized to ensure a natural appearance within your mouth.

Dentures serve as false teeth for individuals who are missing some or all of their teeth. Dentures can be customized to meet individual needs based on the extent of tooth loss. They are available as full sets of teeth to replace all missing teeth or as partial sets that are designed specifically to fill gaps between any remaining natural teeth.

Full Dentures:

Full dentures adhere to your gums through suction between the palate (roof of your mouth) and the denture. Lower dentures, which lack the palate, are relatively less secure and may require some adaptation.

Partial Dentures:

Partial dentures are secured in your mouth by clasping onto your existing teeth. In cases where the base structure is made of metal, the clasps are also made of metal. This type of partial denture, known as a cast partial, tends to be thinner and more durable. However, the metal clasps may be visible when smiling, depending on the position of the replaced and remaining teeth. When the entire structure is crafted from plastic, known as a flexible partial, the clasps are also constructed from plastic material. These plastic clasps are less noticeable when smiling.

Procedure Overview:

However, the process of obtaining dentures usually requires multiple appointments. Initially, your dentist will take a mold or scan of your gums and any remaining teeth. This mold is used to create a model of your mouth, ensuring that the denture fits accurately along the ridges and contours of your jawbone and gums. You will be invited back to try on your dentures and ensure a comfortable and secure fit. If the fit is satisfactory, you will be able to take your new dentures home. Otherwise, the dentist will make necessary adjustments until the fit is just right.

Aftercare:

Proper denture care is crucial—just as important as caring for natural teeth. Both full and partial dentures are removable, and it is recommended not to wear them during sleep. This allows your gums to rest and enables saliva to naturally lubricate your mouth. To maintain denture hygiene, it is important to clean them thoroughly each night using a specialized denture toothpaste along with a soft-bristled toothbrush or denture brush. It's important to handle dentures with care during cleaning to avoid accidentally dropping them, as this can lead to breakage. Placing a towel or filling the sink basin with water can help prevent damage if dropped. Furthermore, dentures should be soaked overnight in a denture solution to preserve moisture, as dryness can lead to brittleness over time.

Feel free to reach out at 949-787-1733 for any inquiries or to schedule your appointment!