What You Need To Know About Dentures for Tooth Replacement

If you are thinking about getting dentures or currently have them, you may have questions. This article explains what dentures are, maintenance requirements, and their impact on dental health.

An overview of dentures for missing tooth replacement

Dentures are custom-made prosthetic teeth and gums that are used to replace missing or extracted teeth. Complete or partial dentures are available, which means they can be used to replace all teeth on the upper or lower jaw or only a few missing teeth. Whatever dentures are required, they will be custom-made to suit the patient’s mouth and be cosmetically matched to the remaining natural teeth; this allows the dentures to look natural.

Making the dentures

Dentures used to be fabricated from porcelain or plastic, but now they are mostly composed of durable resin. The materials used when fabricating denture teeth are not as strong as real teeth, and they may readily break or fracture if dropped or improperly maintained. This material also degrades considerably faster than actual teeth, necessitating the replacement of dentures every five years or so.

The denture's supporting framework, which keeps the false teeth in place and mimics the natural gum line, is often constructed of the same resin as the teeth or a more flexible polymer material that sits snugly on the gum line.

The need for dentures

Dentures enhance the look of a smile with several missing teeth, but they help support the structures surrounding the cheeks and lips, thus preserving the mouth structure. Dentures also allow patients to chew meals and enjoy their favorite foods to stay nourished. Also, dentures can be used when it is time to replace multiple teeth that are causing severe pain and oral health problems, such as in a case of severe decay or damage. When patients get dentures, the dentist will get rid of the bothersome teeth and replace them with a robust and aesthetically appealing option.

Partial dentures

When the nearby natural teeth cannot provide the required structural support for restorations such as dental bridges, or when multiple teeth are lost, partial dentures are sometimes the most suitable choice. To prevent the partial dentures from slipping out of position, they are placed on the gum line and fastened to neighboring natural teeth. However, they are not permanently fixed and may be removed at any moment for cleaning or when sleeping.

Complete dentures

These dentures are used to replace a whole arch of teeth. They are custom-made for the upper or bottom gum line and are held in position by suction and an oral adhesive. It is easy to remove them, as with partial dentures. In some cases, dentures can be supported by dental implants.

Final thoughts

Dentures require daily cleaning and maintenance, like natural teeth. When you visit the dentist for a consultation, you will get answers to all of your denture-related questions, and the dental professional will help determine whether dentures are appropriate for you.

Request an appointment here: https://www.smilesbydesignhuntsville.com or call Smiles by Design, PC at (256) 660-3233 for an appointment in our Huntsville office.

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