Dentures 101: All You Need to Know
Missing teeth are detrimental to your dental health. This is because the surrounding teeth can shift to the available spaces, thereby weakening the dental structure. It is crucial to close these gaps to preserve your dental health and structure. Luckily, we have several dental options that can help you replace your teeth and restore your dental integrity, such as dentures.
Dentures have long been thought to be appliances for the old. But these fixtures can benefit anyone who’s looking for affordable and convenient dental treatment.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures or false teeth are customized dental appliances that are used to replace missing teeth. They are made of acrylic, nylon, plastic, or metal.
Some of the dentures can fix a few teeth and others all. These dentures are removable, meaning you wear them during the day and remove them at night to allow the gums to breathe.
Who’s A Candidate for Dentures?
People with significant teeth loss can benefit from dentures in Houston. For the dentist to recommend dentures, you need to have enough jaw structure, healthy teeth, and gums. These false teeth require a sufficient amount of jaw support to remain in place.
What Types of Dentures Are Available?
There are two types of dentures near you that you can choose from depending on the number of teeth missing. There are there partial and complete dentures.
- Partial dentures
Partial dentures are ideal when you have only a few teeth missing. These dentures use the remaining teeth as an anchor to support the false teeth. The partial dentures are usually attached to gum-colored bases, metal frameworks, or clasps that connect to the teeth.
- Complete dentures
Complete dentures are for people who have all or more than half of teeth missing either on the lower or upper jaw. The complete dentures are further divided into two: immediate and conventional dentures.
Immediate dentures are made in advance and fixed on the same day after your teeth are extracted. The primary purpose of these dentures is to protect the teeth and gums and improve your smile as the gums heal. However, these dentures are not a long-term dental solution because as the gums heal, the dentures shrink. With time, the appliances will become ill-fitting. The dentist can recommend immediate dentures as you wait for the conventional ones.
The dentist will give you conventional dentures once the gums have healed. These dentures offer a permanent solution, but they too can become ill-fitting. With the absence of teeth and age, the jaw shrinks, and as it does, the dentures will become loose. It is vital to have your dentures adjusted occasionally to ensure they offer the support needed.
- Implant-supported dentures
The partial or complete dentures can also be implant-supported. This means that a titanium screw is fixed on the gums to offer support and anchor the dentures in place. These dentures can prevent future bone loss and keep the jaw bone intact. However, you need to have sufficient jaw structure to have these dentures fixed.
How Are the Dentures Fixed?
The process of making the dentures takes a few weeks and requires several dental visits. The dentist will first examine your teeth to determine which denture is ideal for you. Next, the dentist will measure your jaw and take an impression of your teeth to create a mold in the exact shape.
This model is designed for creation purposes, so you will try the dentures a few times as the dentist assesses the color and fit. The final cast will be made, and a fitting appointment made.
What Can You Expect After Wearing the Dentures?
The first time you wear dentures, they will feel bulky, and they may affect your speech. There may also be an increase in saliva production and mild irritation. These problems will clear as you get used to the dentures.
Take Away
Dentures in 77080 are durable and can last for a few years with proper care. It is, therefore, important to maintain proper dental hygiene to lengthen their lifespan. If you notice the dentures loosening, visit InStyle Dental Group for a readjustment.
