Serenity Dental: Dentures

Dentures
What are dentures?
Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth typically made out of an acrylic resin, which at
times incorporate porcelain or metal for additional structural support. There are two main types of
dentures. Both complete dentures and partial dentures are finely crafted and custom-fitted. If you properly
maintain your dentures, they will appear natural and provide a perfect smile. Additionally, dentures help
strengthen muscles controlling your expressions that require the support of your teeth, rid you of
pronunciation problems caused by missing teeth, and aid with chewing.

Who is a candidate for dentures?
If you've lost, or are losing, all of your teeth, a complete denture is something to discuss with Dr.Bhatt. If
some of your teeth remain and are healthy, a partial denture may be your way to a great smile.
There are many personal and medical factors to take into consideration when choosing dentures versus
other options. You may instead be a candidate for dental bridges and dental implants as optional
procedures.

Overview of dentures
Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth typically made out of an acrylic resin that may at
times incorporate porcelain or metal for additional structural support. There are two main types of
dentures, complete and partial. Both complete dentures and partial dentures are finely crafted and
custom-fitted to the patient. If you properly maintain your dentures, they will appear natural and provide a
perfect smile. Additionally, dentures help strengthen muscles controlling your expressions that require the
support of your teeth, rid you of pronunciation problems caused by missing teeth, and aid with chewing.

How are dentures accomplished?
It is somewhat common to require some teeth to be extracted, and surgery in some cases is necessary to
improve the bony ridges that stabilize your dentures. The procedure begins with a wax bite impression of
your mouth that will give your dentist exacting measurements. A try-on appointment will fine tunes color,
shape and fit. After your final dentures are fabricated, they will be placed and you will be informed of their
required care.

Types of Dentures
Complete Dentures
These replace all of your teeth, upper or lower. Their comfort depends on muscle, bones, tongue and saliva.
Patients begin wearing conventional dentures after healing the teeth that were pulled.

Immediate Dentures
Immediate dentures are placed all at once, and may require additional adjustments after the healing
process. It can take months for your bone and tissue to stabilize after tooth extractions. Immediate
dentures will require a lab reline 6 months to 18 months after initial extractions. Upper DenturesUpper
dentures tend to be a bit easier to adjust to. These are made of the same materials as a complete denture,
but are designed to provide you with upper teeth only.

Over Dentures
Over dentures are a type of conventional denture similar to complete dentures. The difference is that not all
teeth are extracted and they use one or more natural teeth for their support. This type provides greater
stabilization during chewing. Over dentures cost more and typically require more preparation dental
appointments until the procedure is fully complete.
Partial Dentures
Designed to correct the gaps in your smile when only some of your teeth are missing. Metal attachments
anchor the dentures to your natural teeth. Partial dentures maintain tooth alignment by preventing your
remaining teeth from shifting. Partial dentures can also help prevent your loss of more teeth due to decay
or gum disease.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Dentures

Advantages:
Dentures definitely provide a great smile with a very natural appearance. They're made of very durable
materials and last very long when properly taken care of. Typically dentures last from five to ten years. They
also correct several problems, from speech to chewing, for many patients.

Disadvantages:
There's no doubt that dentures take a little getting used to. There is maintenance involved, and initial
speech issues to overcome (these are temporary and last only a couple of days). Mouth irritation or sores
may occur, but are usually caused by poor dental hygiene, and not removing your dentures when needed. It
is common that your mouth change over the life of your dentures, so even though they last long, they may
need to be replaced to achieve a better fit before they are worn out. With a denture a person typically
chews at only 15-23% efficiency compared to a person chewing with their natural teeth. In the case of a full
upper denture, the upper palate is covered which can reduce taste of foods you're chewing.

Before & After Photos: Dentures