Dentures are removable teeth replacements that can be removed and reinserted into your mouth. While dentures will never feel the same as one's natural teeth, today's modern dentures are more natural and comfortable.
Dentures are classified into full and partial dentures and removable and fixed dentures. Your dentist will advise you based on your treatment type.
A flesh-coloured acrylic base fits over your gums with complete dentures. The upper Denture's bottom covers the palate, while the lower Denture's bottom is shaped like a horseshoe to accommodate our tongue.
Dentures are made specifically for you in a dental laboratory using impressions of your mouth. Your dentist will decide which of the denture types is best for you.
A conventional complete denture is placed in the mouth after the remaining teeth extraction and the tissue has healed. Healing may take several months, during which time you are without teeth.
Immediate complete Denture
After total mouth extraction, an immediate complete denture is inserted. (During a previous visit, your dentist will take measurements and create models of your jaw.) While immediate dentures have the advantage of never having to be without teeth, they must be relined several months after they are placed. This is because as the bone supporting the teeth heals, it reshapes, causing the Denture to become loose.
A metal framework attached to your natural teeth supports a partial denture. Crowns are sometimes placed on some of your natural teeth to serve as denture anchors. Bridges can be replaced with removable partial dentures.
New dentures may feel uncomfortable for the first few weeks or months. In addition, eating and speaking with dentures may require some practice. It is normal to feel bulky or loose while your cheek and tongue muscles learn to hold your dentures in place. Excessive salivation, a sense that the tongue is cramped, and minor irritation or soreness are also common. Consult your dentist if you are irritated.
MedBound Times reached out to Dr Reya Reji for her insights on Dentures
Due to normal wear, your Denture needs to be relined or rebased over time. Rebasing is creating a new base while keeping the existing denture teeth. Also, as you get older, your mouth changes. Because of these changes, your dentures become looser, making chewing difficult and irritating your gums. Therefore, you should see your dentist once a year for a checkup.
Stand over a folded towel or water basin when handling your dentures. Dentures are fragile and can break if they are dropped.
Keep your dentures from drying out. Instead, soak them in a denture cleanser or plain water when you're not wearing them. Never use hot water on them, as this can cause them to warp.
Brushing your dentures will help remove food deposits and plaque and keep them from becoming stained. Ultrasonic scaling can be used to clean your dentures, but it should be used in a way other than daily brushing.
Brush your gums, palate and tongue with a soft-bristled brush every day before putting on your dentures. This increases circulation in your tissues and aids in the removal of plaque.
Flexible Dentures: These are made of acrylic but are also translucent and paper thin. They are pliable within limits and, once placed, snugly fit into the mouth. Flexible dentures appear natural and are painless.
Biofunctional Prosthetic System Dentures: These are designed to maximize function while providing comfort and a natural appearance to the patient. The measurements are taken while the mouth is open. Its distinctive Ivoclar teeth are resistant to wear and mimic the anatomy of natural teeth. It is manufactured through a controlled heat-and-pressure polymerization process, which accounts for less shrinkage and ensures a perfect fit.
Poly Ether Ether Ketone (PEEK) Dentures: PEEK is a high-performance polymer that has gained popularity in various medical applications. Because of its comparable strength, PEEK can make dentures instead of metal alloys such as cobalt-chromium. It also has a gum-like colour and is very aesthetic.
Dentistry provides the most recent 3D scanning technology to take a digital impression of your gums quickly. The entire workflow takes place virtually. As a result, dentures that have been 3D printed are precise in fit and comfort.
Say goodbye to slipping dentures! Patients have complained about loose-fitting dentures that keep popping out due to poor gum health. Modern dentistry provides options for converting shaky dentures into fixed dentures. They are as follows.
Overdentures supported by implants
Full-mouth rehabilitation with implants
Dental implants are small titanium screws inserted into the bone beneath your gums. These are then secured to the dentures above, ensuring their stability and security. Dentures supported by implants are solid and long-lasting. You can now avoid the inconvenience of removing your Denture at night. In addition, Full-mouth rehabilitation with implants improves function, appearance, chewing ease, and maintenance.
Dental Schools that Offer Low-Cost Treatment: Dental schools offer services like implants, general cleanings, and restorations at a lower cost. These procedures are performed by dental students and supervised by teaching dental professionals. Some dental services are given for free. This depends on the dental school and the type of procedure being done.
The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
The Robert Schattner Center, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine
240 South 40th Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6030
(215) 898-8965
https://www.dental.upenn.edu/
