Dentures commonly known as false teeth, are customized dental appliances made of acrylic, nylon or metals. These prostheses fit over the gums, thus replacing missing teeth. It helps to correct problems associated with missing teeth.
Missing teeth can make it difficult to chew and speak properly. The space created by missing teeth can cause neighboring teeth to move into that space, possibly causing teeth to misalign.
Prosthetic tooth solve many of these problems and can restore oral function and aesthetics. Prostheses are basically divided into two types, complete and partial, according to the extent of the loss.
Complete Missing Teeth with Dentures
In our clinic, jaw structure and dental health are examined in detail with advanced technology. Prosthodontic treatment can restore your lost teeth in an aesthetic and functional way.
A complete denture fits over the gums and replaces an entire dental arch. These prosthetic teeth are removable and are supported by the palate or the ridge of the lower jaw, but usually require denture adhesive to provide additional stability.
Partial dentures, which fill smaller gaps and use the remaining natural teeth for extra anchorage, are a viable alternative to dental bridges.
Whether removable types, fixed bridges or dental implants, they can rebuild your smile, improve your oral health and enhance your quality of life.
What are Dentures?
A denture is a custom-made design material that replaces missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Dentures are uniquely made to resemble missing teeth in appearance and function. They allow a person to eat, chat and even smile with confidence. They can be removable or fixed, depending on the patient's needs and preferences.
Dental prostheses are not only about aesthetics. They are also very important for oral health. When there are missing teeth, bone loss, shifting of the remaining teeth, chewing and speech problems occur. Replacing missing teeth with a denture helps prevent these problems and contributes to a healthy oral cavity in the long term.
Full Prosthetic Teeth
Full prosthesis are designed to replace all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. This complete denture consists of artificial teeth mounted on a gum-colored acrylic base. They are held in place with dental adhesives.
Conventional full prosthesis are made after the gums have healed following tooth extraction. The process usually takes several months. Immediate full prosthesis are fitted immediately after tooth extraction. It allows teeth to be put back in place immediately during healing, but often requires frequent adjustments as the gums shrink.
Partial Denture
When only one or a few teeth are missing, partial denture clips are attached to adjacent natural teeth. A partial denture, also called a partial, can be made of various materials, with plastic or metal as the base, depending on the support required. Metal is lighter and stronger.
Pros and Cons of Partial Denture
Dentures are inexpensive compared to other restorative alternatives. Partial prostheses can be easily modified to accept additional teeth if necessary. They are easier and cheaper to repair or replace.
Partial prosthesis may be uncomfortable at first and may take some getting used to. They should be removed every night and cleaned thoroughly. Metal clasps can be unsightly.
How a Single Tooth Prosthesis Stays in Place?
A removable partial denture (RPD) or a one tooth denture is an easy solution for replacing one missing tooth. It restores both function and aesthetics at a lower price compared to permanent types like dental implants or bridges. Single tooth prosthesis are typically used as a long-term or temporary replacement and are customized according to the patient's mouth.
The denture is simple to remove and place, and for this reason, the denture is utilized in provisional replacement of a single tooth. There exists a flexible partial denture, constructed with a thicker, tougher and more pliable plastic such as nylon. This choice offers a closer fit and is less perceptible than standard acrylic prosthesis.
For anyone who wants more stability and more strength, it is possible to have a metal framework partial denture, providing additional stability in the form of metal clasps that grip neighboring teeth.
Types of Single Tooth Prosthesis
Flipper Denture
The most commonly utilized is possibly the flipper denture, constructed of lightweight acrylic. The denture is simple to remove and place, and for this reason, the denture is utilized in the provisional replacement of a single tooth.
Flexible Partial Denture
Flexible partial denture, constructed with a thicker, tougher, and more pliable plastic such as nylon. This choice offers a closer fit and is less perceptible than standard acrylic dentures.
Metal Framework Partial Denture
For anyone who wants more stability and more strength, it is possible to have a metal framework partial denture, providing additional stability in the form of metal clasps that grip neighboring teeth.
Implant Supported Prosthesis
Implant supported prosthesis are attached to dental implants placed in the jawbone. Much more robust than traditional prosthesis, they are often referred to as “snap-on dentures” because they eliminate the use of adhesive.
Implant-supported prosthesis are not removed like other types, but instead are permanently fixed in place by dental implants. It is a good alternative for patients who want to have non-removable dentures. However, they require thorough cleaning, including flossing under the appliance.
How are Prostheses Made?
Your dentist takes an exact impression of your mouth and a dental technician creates a model of your mouth structure, made individually. The device is designed to look natural and feel comfortable in your mouth.
In some cases, additional teeth may need to be extracted before a full set of prosthesis can be fitted. Depending on the situation, your dentist may recommend waiting for the gums to heal. Immediate fitting is an alternative, as it can improve the final fit. Adjustments usually need to be made afterwards.
Before and After Dentures
Advantages and Benefits of Dental Prostheses
Basic functions are restored with prostheses. Tooth loss can be accompanied by chewing and articulation difficulties. Dental prosthesis solve these problems by providing efficient food intake and clear pronunciation.
Increases aesthetic appeal. Designed to mimic the look and feel of a natural tooth, prosthesis enhance your smile and overall facial contours while preserving muscular facial structure to prevent a sunken appearance.
Maintain bone health. When teeth are missing, bone loss in the jawbone is common due to lack of stimulation. Prostetic teeth, especially implants, stimulate your bone. It helps to maintain density and structure.
A restored, complete smile can boost self-confidence. Prostetic tooth allow patients to laugh, smile and participate in social interactions without worrying about gaps or imperfections.
Supports long-term oral health. Replacing missing teeth eliminates the potential shifting of remaining teeth, reducing the risks of periodontal disease, tooth decay and malocclusion.
Relieves speech difficulties caused by missing teeth and provides comfort. While missing teeth can make pronunciation and chewing difficult, dentures allow for clearer speech and more comfortable eating. They protect the health of the remaining teeth by filling gaps that can lead to decay or misalignment problems.
If medically necessary, prostheses are covered by insurance, but many people prefer to have them custom-made. Visit our local clinic for a quote. Our staff will be happy to help you with your inquiry.
Prosthesis Fabrication Process
Inserting the prostheses and making them precisely so that they look natural requires several steps. It usually takes a few weeks and the following are the general steps.
Measurement
Your dentist will start by taking very precise impressions of your upper and lower jaw, including the shape of your gums and remaining teeth. This is done with both a preliminary impression and usually a final impression. Measurements will also be taken to show how your jaws relate to each other.
Creating a Model of Your Mouth
Once the impressions are completed, they are sent to a dental laboratory where a technician creates a stone replica of your mouth from them. This model is used to make your customized prosthesis with the appropriate fit and comfort.
Customization
The denture making procedure begins with wax registration. The technician uses materials such as acrylic, nylon or resin to create the denture base. The artificial teeth are placed to achieve a proper occlusion and appearance. Adjustments are made to the dental prosthesis.
Final Processing and Polishing
Once the structure is ready, the denture is polished to make it look as natural as possible. It is then taken back to your dentist to be fitted and checked that the denture is well aligned with your mouth and comfortable.
Regular Follow-up and Adjustment
Even for those with full dental prostheses, regular visits to the dentist are still very important. Your dentist will check for any oral health problems and ensure that your prosthesis fit properly. Poorly fitting prosthesis can be very uncomfortable and irritating. Such problems need to be detected in advance.
By following these care guidelines, along with regular visits to your dentist, your prostheses can last for many years and keep your smile healthy and comfortable.
How to Attach Prostheses?
Prostheses are custom-made to fit each individual. This is done so that the denture looks as natural as possible and feels comfortable.
The dentist takes an impression of the mouth with toothpaste to ensure that the prostheses match the shape and structure of the gums and remaining teeth. A dental technician fabricates the prosthetic teeth based on the impressions and shapes them to the correct size and shape.
Once fitted, further adjustments are required to improve comfort and functionality. In some cases, additional dental procedures, such as tooth extractions, may be required before the prosthesis are fitted.
If a full set of prosthetic tooth is required, your dentist may recommend that you allow your gums to heal for a few weeks before fitting the final appliance. Alternatively, immediate denture can be provided, although they may require further adjustments as your gums adapt.
Should You Use Denture Adhesives?
Denture adhesives can help in some cases. They can increase the retention and stability of well-fitting prosthesis, providing a greater sense of confidence.
They can be used in cases of dry mouth. People with dry mouth due to medication, age, medical conditions, etc. are situations where an adhesive can help. It will also be useful in cases where the facial muscles are constantly moving.
Well-fitting prosthetic tooth rarely require adhesive to stay in place. However, if there is significant resorption of the jawbone, adhesives can be useful in improving the retention of the denture. Your dentist or clinical dental technician will be able to tell you if an adhesive would be useful in your case.
How to Remove Denture Adhesive
Gently brush your prostheses with soap and warm water to remove any adhesive residue. Any adhesive left in your mouth can be removed with a damp cloth or kitchen roll.
How to properly care for your Prosthetic Tooth
Prosthetic tooth need proper care for their durability and oral hygiene. The following recommendations should be followed to ensure that the prosthesis is in the best possible condition.
Daily Routine in Denture Care
Remove your prosthetic tooth at night. This gives your gums time to rest and maintain oral hygiene. Your denture should be kept soaked in either a glass of water or some type of denture cleaning solution, as it should not dry out or warp.
Clean your denture at least twice a day using a denture brush and a suitable paste or soap. Clean all surfaces, including those in contact with the gums.
Follow oral hygiene. Even if you wear full prostheses, you should brush your gums, tongue, inner cheeks and roof of your mouth twice a day to remove plaque and debris. If you have natural teeth left, brush them with fluoride toothpaste and floss regularly.
Clean prostheses on a soft towel or a bowl of water to prevent breakage in case of a fall. Some prostheses have soft liners that require special cleaning solutions. Consult your dentist before using any products.
Always store prostheses in water or a designated solution when not in use to prevent material deterioration. Oral hygiene should not be neglected even when wearing full proste teeth. Daily brushing of the gums, tongue and palate removes bacteria and small food particles that can cause infections such as thrush and gum disease.
Eating with Prostheses
Getting used to eating with prosthesis takes time and patience. At first, it is advisable to eat soft foods that are easy to chew and divided into small, manageable pieces. Chew slowly and evenly using both sides of your mouth to maintain balance and prevent the prosthesis from dislodging.
Foods to Avoid in the Beginning
Avoid some foods while you are getting used to your new prostheses. Sticky foods are the most important of these. Chewing gum can stick to the prosthesis and dislodge them.
Hard foods that can put too much pressure on the prostheses, such as nuts and raw vegetables, should not be eaten. Foods with sharp edges, crusty bread or potato chips that can rub against the gums should also not be eaten.
After a period of getting used to it, add more food products to your diet until you can consume almost all the foods you like.
Alternatives to Prostheses
In addition to traditional prostheses, there is another alternative, and the most important one is dental implants. Implants can be used as support for fixed bridges that can effectively replace missing teeth without the need to remove them. This alternative procedure can be more functional than traditional prosthetic tooth, which are more expensive and much closer in look and feel to a real tooth.
Full Mouth Restoration
Dental Implants or Dentures?
In terms of improved stability and comfort, implants are attached to the lower jaw where prosthetic teeth are permanently fixed, so there is no slippage. As a permanent solution, prosthetic tooth tend to change over time because they are under constraints. In contrast, implants are structurally designed with a permanent solution.
Bone preservation-wise, implants prevent bone deterioration by stimulating the jawbone, which regresses when teeth are missing. Dental implants also help stabilize prosthetic tooth, making them more comfortable to wear. Implant-supported dentures do not slip or protrude, making it easier to speak and eat.
Candidates suitable for dental implants vary in their situation. It is necessary to see a dentist who will help find the best solution for their individual needs, appropriate bone density and oral health condition.
How Much Do Prosthetic Tooth Cost?
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