Dentures are a tried and tested solution for tooth loss. They have been widely used for centuries, and modern dentures are designed to look and feel natural and comfortable.
You can consider getting dentures if you are missing one or more teeth in your upper or lower arch or have lost all your natural teeth.
This article explains more about dentures and how they work and provides an overview of the process of making and fitting them.
Dentures are removable dental appliances with a gum-colored base resting on the gums. The base supports denture teeth that are arranged to look natural. A denture can be full or partial.
These replace an upper or lower arch of teeth or both arches. Full dentures are also called complete dentures and have a base made from acrylic. The acrylic base supports the denture teeth arranged to replicate your original teeth closely.
These dentures replace one or more missing teeth in the same arch. Unlike a traditional bridge, these teeth do not need to be adjacent to each other.
Partial dentures are strengthened with a lightweight metal framework and also have an acrylic base. They can have metal clasps that fit around existing teeth, helping to hold the denture in place securely.
Some partial dentures have a base made from flexible nylon. The nylon material is gum-colored and slightly translucent. These dentures are easier for some people to wear comfortably but are only suitable in specific circumstances.
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A denture is a good choice if you are looking for a quick, non-invasive, inexpensive solution for tooth loss. Treatment can be completed without needing other more invasive procedures or oral surgery. Dentures help restore missing teeth, restoring your appearance so you can smile and talk confidently.
A well-fitting denture will allow you to eat comfortably. However, the biting strength of a denture will never be as good as that of your natural teeth, so you will need to make some changes to your diet to accommodate this reduction in biting and chewing strength.
A denture is a good choice if you are looking for a quick, non-invasive, inexpensive solution for tooth loss. Treatment can be completed without needing other more invasive procedures or oral surgery. Dentures help restore missing teeth, restoring your appearance so you can smile and talk confidently.
A well-fitting denture will allow you to eat comfortably. However, the biting strength of a denture will never be as good as that of your natural teeth, so you will need to make some changes to your diet to accommodate this reduction in biting and chewing strength.
When you visit your dentist, they can discuss the options available and show you the type of denture teeth that can be used, as different qualities are available depending on your budget. They can also tell you what to expect when you wear dentures.
Be sure to ask them all the questions you can think of, including how to get used to wearing dentures, care for them, and the pros and cons of this treatment. They should also tell you about alternatives like traditional dental bridges that can be supported with healthy natural teeth and dental implants if available.
If you decide to go ahead with having a denture, then the process is outlined below. It will vary as your treatment plan is tailored to accommodate your unique oral health needs.
The first stage after your consultation is for your dentist to take impressions of your gums, including any existing teeth. These impressions are used to make a custom dental impression tray that will fit your gums closely, enabling your dentist to take a second, more detailed impression during a second appointment.
Your dentist must take a detailed record of how your upper and lower jaws meet together. These records include the dimensions between your upper and lower jaws and where certain teeth should be located based on the position of your jaws and lips. One way they can make these records is by using a bite rim fabricated from wax.
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all this information is sent to the dental lab so they can begin fabricating your new denture. They use the dental impressions and bite registration records to create a try-in of your new denture. The denture will have your proper teeth, but instead of an acrylic base, the base is made from wax.
When the try-in denture is complete, you return to your dental office so your dentist can fit it in your mouth. Because the base is made from wax, it is easy for your dentist to record any changes that must be made and adjust it to get it to fit properly.
You may need to have several try-in appointments to get the exact fit.
When your dentist is happy with the try-in, they return it to the dental lab so the wax base can be replaced with acrylic. The denture is then properly hand-finished and polished so that the gum-colored acrylic looks natural and has no sharp edges.
It is now ready for your dentist to fit in your mouth. At this point, they may make some other minor adjustments to make the fit more perfect.
Before you leave your dental office, your dentist can discuss how to care for your denture and provide you with useful advice on keeping it clean and learning to eat and talk with it.
You will almost certainly need a follow-up appointment approximately a week or so later. At this stage, your dentist can make more adjustments to ensure the denture fits properly.
They will likely need to make minor adjustments to get the denture to fit more comfortably and securely. Making further adjustments is perfectly normal as you get used to wearing your dentures.
See your dentist regularly for checkups, even if you have no remaining natural teeth. During these checkups, your dentist can assess the fit of your denture and check it for any signs of wear and tear. They can also clean it professionally.
Your dentist can check any remaining natural teeth and carry out other important tests like an oral cancer screening.
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Dentures can and do break as they are quite fragile. If your denture breaks, get in touch with your dental office immediately. They can arrange to have it mended professionally. Some dental offices offer a same-day service for denture repairs; you can trust that they will make every effort to return the denture quickly.
You can try minimizing the risk of breakages by cleaning your denture over a bowl of water or a folded towel so that if you drop it, it will not be damaged.
Please don’t try to mend the denture at home because you will most likely damage it irreparably. It’s possible that with proper care, your denture could last 5 to 7 years or longer. However, eventually, you will need to replace it.
This page was modified on by Dr. Alexander Bokser, DDS (Dentist) of Precision Dental NYC
Dr. Alexander Bokser is a dentist in Astoria, NY and Bayside, NY. He received his degree from New York University College of Dentistry, licensed by the New York State Board of Regents and the North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners.
He is currently teaching dentistry at Albert Einstein School of Medicine. Dr. Bokser has received numerous awards in dentistry and community service. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, and North Queens Dental Study Club.
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