If you are missing teeth, chances are you are familiar with all the challenges that come along with it. Difficulty eating, trouble talking, and embarrassment smiling are all common concerns. The truth is, many adults are dealing with tooth loss and exploring options to restore their smiles. Dentures are a great option that can give you back your confidence and your ability to perform daily functions. The Denture and Implant Clinic can handle all your tooth restoration needs.
If you have questions about dentures, we have the answers.
What are dentures?
Dentures are a replacement option for tooth loss. They can be used to replace a single missing tooth, or an entire arch of teeth. There are two main kinds of dentures: partial and full.
Partial Dentures
If you still have several healthy, permanent teeth intact, partial dentures may be best suited for your situation. Partial dentures are attached or hooked to healthy teeth and fill in the gaps in the smile. Their base is made from a material that resembles natural gum tissue, so once in place, they look natural. Dental bridges are one example of partial dentures.
Full Dentures
Full dentures are reserved for patients who have just a few teeth remaining, or none. If the teeth remaining are not healthy, in most cases the dentist will recommend extraction prior to receiving full dentures. Typically, temporary dentures are worn while the gums heal, and the permanent dentures are fabricated.
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Full dentures can either be removable or held into place permanently with dental implants. Dental implants are rods that are placed into the jawbone and act as an anchor for the dentures. Dental implants are the closest restoration option to natural teeth and many patients prefer implants because there is no fear of the dentures slipping around or falling out.
Who should get dentures?
Anyone who is missing most, or all their teeth is a candidate for dentures. The goal is to always save as many teeth as possible, although if tooth decay has destroyed teeth, the best option is extraction.
The primary reasons patients need dentures are:
- Teeth have been damaged, fallen out, or require extraction due to tooth decay (this is often as a result of inadequate oral hygiene over time)
- Chronic illness and medications have impacted tooth health, causing decay and gum disease
- Injury or trauma has knocked out the teeth
Getting used to your dentures
There is an adjustment period for getting used to the dentures. In the beginning, the dentures may feel loose, like they could slip out of place. Over time, this feeling will go away as the muscles in your mouth adjust to having the dentures in place.
Dentures can be held in place through saliva and natural suction or small amounts of denture adhesive. It’s important to have natural suction because it prevents food particles from becoming trapped between the dentures and gums.
Taking care of your dentures
Taking care of dentures is very similar to taking care of your natural teeth. Every morning and evening you should gently brush your gums, cheeks, and tongue to eliminate bacteria and maintain good circulation in the gums.
At night, the dentures should be rinsed off and placed into a cool glass of water. You may wish to use a special denture cleanser to remove any odors. Always place a towel down on the counter when you are removing your dentures or putting them in, so they don’t accidentally fall and break.
Dentures should also be rinsed off after eating. To brush your dentures, use a soft bristled toothbrush and a special denture toothpaste to keep them clean.
The longevity of dentures
The length of time your dentures last varies, based on how well you take care of them. Dentures can last anywhere from 8-10 years with proper care. Still, many patients will need to have adjustments over time due to natural recession of the gum tissue. Maintaining your regular dental check-ups allow the dentist to monitor the fit of your dentures and adjust when necessary.
If you’ve experienced tooth loss, dentures can give you back your desire to smile and your ability to enjoy the foods you love. To learn more about denture services, call The Denture & Implant Center today at 020 8629 1226 for a consultation.
