What Are Dentures & Why Are They Used
Dentures are tooth replacements that are designed to help people with missing teeth maintain their appearance, eat comfortably, and speak clearly.
Whether you're missing just one tooth, several teeth, or all of them, dentures can be a practical and affordable solution.
Replacing missing teeth is not just about looks; your oral health can be affected too. Gaps can cause surrounding teeth to shift out of place, making them more difficult to keep clean. This can potentially lead to issues like gum disease or changes in your bite.
Dentures help keep everything aligned and reduce the risk of further problems. They also play an important role in preserving your facial structure. Without teeth, facial muscles can sag over time, making you look older.
Not to mention, dentures can be custom-made to closely match your original teeth, so your smile looks and feels the way it did before.
Types of Dentures
Whether you need dentures to replace one missing tooth, a row of teeth or a whole set, your dentist can help you decide on the right option for you.
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Full Dentures
If you’re missing all of your natural teeth, your dentist may recommend full dentures, also known as complete or false teeth. These can be made to fit your upper and/or lower gums and are typically held in place using suction or an oral adhesive.
Because full dentures are removable, you can easily take them out when they need to be cleaned and before you go to sleep.
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Partial Dentures
If you're missing one tooth or just a few teeth, your dentist might suggest partial dentures. They’re a good option if you prefer something removable or if the surrounding teeth aren’t strong enough to support a dental bridge.
Partial dentures consist of one or more artificial teeth that fit around your natural teeth to stay in place. Like full dentures, they can be taken out for cleaning and sleeping.
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Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures use dental implants to attach to your mouth. They come in both removable options, as well as fixed options that are not to be removed by anyone but your dentist. Regardless of which option you choose, the implants provide added stability, which can make eating and speaking feel more natural.
The Dentures Process
If you’re getting dentures, the process starts with your dentist taking an impression of your teeth. This impression ensures that your custom-made dentures will have the best fit possible. From there, a wax model of your dentures will be created for you to try on. This trial set lets you and your dentist check the fit, bite, and appearance before making the final set.
Once everything looks and feels right, your final dentures will be made based on that wax model. When they're ready, your dentist will walk you through how to insert, remove (if applicable), and care for your dentures to keep your smile looking and feeling its best.