Dentures are used to replace missing teeth. Dentures can be an alternative to root canal if the person decides to have the infected teeth removed rather than have the root canal procedure.
There are several reasons that a person may have missing teeth such as tooth decay, gum disease, and trauma to the mouth. Some people may chose to not have their missing teeth replaced.
However, having a gap in the teeth can cause the other natural teeth to shift and move which can adversely affect the person’s bite. An abnormal bite can develop which can cause unnatural wear on the teeth and tooth decay.
A denture can either be complete or partial. A complete denture replaces all the teeth on either the upper or lower jaw.
A partial denture has spaces to accommodate natural teeth. A partial denture can be used when a person has some natural teeth to hold the denture in place.
These replacement teeth are mounted in a composite material that has been made to fit the person’s gums. The dentist makes a mold or molds of the person’s mouth which are sent to the dental laboratory.
The dental lab uses the molds of the patient’s mouth to create dentures that fit snuggly against the gums. The molds are also used to shape the false teeth of a partial denture so that the denture fits well between the natural teeth.
An immediate denture is one that is made either before or during a dental appointment during which the teeth are being extracted, or removed. An immediate denture has the advantage of allowing the person to avoid going without teeth until a traditional denture is made.
A disadvantage of an immediate denture is that sometimes they need frequent adjustments in order to fit properly. This is because the gums may change while healing from the extraction of the teeth.
An immediate denture is often used as a temporary solution until regular dentures can be made. The immediate denture cost can be as much as a conventional denture.
The regular or conventional denture is made after the gums have healed after an extraction. The molds for a regular denture may be done six to eight weeks after the teeth have been extracted.
Denture care includes daily brushing and cleaning. A denture should be kept moist when not being used to avoid becoming warped or misshapen. While the person sleeps, the denture can be kept in cold or lukewarm water that is either plain water or with a denture cleanser added.
Dropping the denture in the sink is a common cause of damage to a denture. It is often recommended to place a towel on the counter and brush the dentures over the towel. Another option is to fill the sink with cold water before brushing the denture over the sink.