Dentures are a type of prosthetic device designed to replace missing teeth. They are removable oral appliances, usually made from acrylic resin and plastic or metal clasps. Dentures can be full (complete denture) or partial, depending on the number of teeth needing replacement. Partial dentures fill spaces created by one or more missing teeth, while complete dentures replace an entire set of teeth.
Dentures are typically used when natural teeth cannot be saved due to advanced tooth decay, trauma, or gum disease. They can help restore the patient’s ability to chew and `speak effectively and improve a person’s overall appearance by replacing missing or damaged teeth with natural prosthetics.
Dentures are custom-made to fit an individual’s mouth and require regular maintenance to keep them functioning correctly. This guide will provide an overview of partial and complete dentures, including information about the types available, proper care, and potential problems associated with these prosthetics.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are often used when only a few teeth need to be replaced. These prosthetics are generally made of metal and acrylic resin and use clasps or precision attachments to stay in place. Partial dentures can also be affixed with bridges, crowns, or implants for additional stability.
These dentures are custom-made for each patient, ensuring a comfortable fit and natural look that won’t interfere with eating or speaking. Your experienced dentist will take measurements of your jaw and the surrounding healthy teeth to ensure the denture fits correctly. Partial dentures can be adjusted or repaired as needed.
Advantages of partial dentures include:
-
They are the least expensive treatment option for replacing multiple missing teeth
-
Unlike complete dentures, they don’t require any gum tissue adjustments or surgery
-
They can be removed and placed back in the mouth easily
-
Partial dentures maintain healthy bone structure by preventing it from shrinking
-
They help restore proper chewing and speaking abilities
Partial Dentures
Complete dentures are used when all the teeth in one or both jaws need to be replaced. Unlike partial dentures, which use metal clasps, full dentures rely on suction and gravity for stability. They usually require some form of gum tissue adjustment or surgery to stay securely in place.
The process of fitting complete dentures is typically more complex than partial dentures. Because complete dentures rely on gravity and suction for stability, it’s essential to get the fit just right. First, your dentist will measure your jaw and soft tissue to create a perfect prosthetic.
The advantages of complete dentures include the following:
-
They can replace all teeth in one or both jaws
-
Complete dentures are typically less expensive than implants or bridges
-
They provide a natural-looking smile and restore chewing and speaking abilities
-
Unlike partial dentures, they don’t rely on metal clasps or attachments
-
Complete dentures can be removed and cleaned easily
-
They help prevent further bone loss in the jaw by providing support to the soft tissue
-
With proper care, complete dentures can last for many years
-
They provide support for facial muscles, resulting in an improved appearance
-
They allow the patient to speak and chew normally again
-
They are easier to care for than partial dentures
It is important to note that complete dentures also require regular maintenance to remain comfortable and functional. This includes cleaning them daily, replacing them every 5-7 years, and visiting the dentist regularly for check-ups.
How Comfortable Are Dentures?
The level of comfort you experience with your dentures will depend on the type, fit, and care given. Both partial and complete dentures can be adjusted or relined if they do not fit properly. This is why it’s essential to see a qualified dentist specializing in denture fittings. A professional can ensure the prosthetics fit correctly and provide advice on proper care.
With time and practice, dentures can become more comfortable as the wearer adjusts to the feel of the prosthetics. However, learning how to eat with them is also a process that may require some practice.
Here is A Complete Guide to Dental Crowns.
What Do New Dentures Feel Like?
At first, dentures may feel strange or uncomfortable. It’s not uncommon to experience gum soreness, and minor irritation as the body adjusts to the new prosthetics. This feeling should subside after a few days or weeks. However, if discomfort persists, contact your dentist for an adjustment.
It may also take some time to get used to the feeling of eating and speaking with dentures. This is why it’s important to practice regularly to learn how to perform daily activities naturally and comfortably
What Should I Expect When Getting New Dentures?
Getting new dentures is a multi-step process that typically requires multiple visits to the dentist. During the first appointment, your dentist will take impressions of your mouth and create a model for the prosthetics. Then, depending on the type of dentures you’re getting, other procedures may be necessary (such as gum tissue adjustments or surgery).
Your dentist will then fit you with a temporary set of dentures while the permanent ones are being made. After the permanent dentures are ready, your dentist will adjust them to ensure a comfortable and secure fit.
Partial and complete dentures are a standard treatment option for people who have lost one or more teeth due to trauma, tooth decay, or gum disease. They can help restore function and appearance and prevent further bone deterioration. While there are many advantages to using dentures, it is essential to remember that proper care and maintenance are necessary to keep them functioning correctly.
If you want to fix your missing teeth issue with dentures, speak to Studio Smiles. We offer consultations and comprehensive denture treatments to meet your individual needs. Contact us today to learn more!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, dentures will make you look different. You’ll likely look more youthful, and your face will have a more pronounced smile. You may also find that your facial features appear more balanced. Your dentures will be custom crafted to fit the shape and size of your mouth, so you will likely look similar to how you did before getting dentures. However, there is no doubt that you’ll have a noticeably brighter smile with new dentures.
In most cases, dentures can help you look more natural and beautiful. This is because they are designed to replicate your original teeth in a new and improved form. They match the colour, shape, size and texture of your natural teeth for a seamless transition. Finally, dentures can help boost your confidence. When you know you’re looking great and feeling confident about your smile; it’s easier to feel comfortable interacting with others.
You will be able to eat most of the same foods that you ate before your dentures were placed. However, you may find that some foods are more challenging to eat with dentures. For example, crunchy fruits and vegetables or sticky foods may be more challenging to eat because they can get caught in dentures.
Since it takes some time to adjust to the feel of your new dentures in your mouth and to get used to the different sensations involved in biting and chewing food, you must begin to eat softer foods such as mashed potatoes, cooked vegetables, and fish first. Then, as you become more comfortable with your dentures, you can gradually progress to more complex foods such as meats, tough fruits, and vegetables.
Try these tips for a comfortable eating experience:
-
Soak your dentures in water overnight so they will be softer and easier to chew.
-
Cut food into smaller pieces so it is easier to chew.
-
Moisten food with a sauce or gravy to make it softer and easier to chew.
-
Chew slowly and carefully to ensure that all the food is softened.
Your dentures may change how you speak, but this will depend on a few factors, such as how well they fit and how much you practice speaking with them. Your dentures will likely make your speech sound different than when you had all of your natural teeth, but mostpeople get used to the change after a while.
Just be sure to practice talking and pronunciation with your dentures often so that they become second nature. This will help ensure you have good speech clarity and avoid embarrassing moments.
Additionally, you can try speech therapy techniques to help you adjust your pronunciation. With dedication and practice, you can learn to speak again with your dentures
With dentures, there is an adjustment period that everyone needs to go through as they learn to speak and eat with their new teeth. The fit of your dentures may also influence how comfortable you find them. If the denture fit is poor or slips out of place during eating, it can be very uncomfortable.
Your dentist or dental prosthetist can make adjustments to your denture to ensure the best fit possible and maximize comfort. Additionally, various denture adhesives are available that can help keep your dentures firmly in place. With the proper care, maintenance and adjustment from your dentist or prosthodontist, most people ultimately find dentures comfortable.
Yes, there is a good chance that your dentures will need to be replaced. The average lifespan of dentures is around 5 years, but it can vary depending on how well they are taken care of and how often they are used.Keeping your dentures clean and free of bacteria, plaque, and food particles is essential.
You can do this by brushing them daily with a toothbrush and denture cleansing solution or soaking them in a denture cleaning solution overnight. You should also avoid biting down on complex objects (like ice) and eating sticky or hard foods (like candy). It’s also important to visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and have your dentures examined.
Regularly replacing or repairing your dentures is essential for maintaining oral health, as old dentures may not fit as well as new ones and can cause problems with eating, speaking, and even pain in the jaw joint.
