Dental care has evolved over the years and is continuing to make new developments. If you have a missing tooth or missing multiple teeth, you don’t have to endure its consequences. Today, you have several options to restore your smile, and one is to get dentures.
Dentures are custom-made removal prosthetic appliances to replace lost teeth. They are composed of artificial teeth affixed to a plate that will sit snugly against the roof of your mouth or the gum line. It is a removable device to allow for daily cleaning. Most people are anxious about wearing them because the past models were noticeable and ill-fitting. Worry not, though, because today’s dentures are better-looking, more durable, and more comfortable than those of the past. And with the services of a reputable dentist in Fort Lauderdale and proper care on your part, dentures can be an excellent solution to your dental issues.
Here’s everything you need to know before getting dentures.
1. Who can get dentures?
There are several reasons people lose their teeth, including accidents, damaged or decayed teeth, and the teeth never erupted. Since missing teeth can happen to anyone, people of all ages can benefit from dentures. Users can smile, eat, and speak comfortably without worrying about dental loss and pain.
2. What are the types of dentures?
There are different types of dentures to cater to the diverse needs of people who may need it.
Immediate dentures
As the name implies, immediate dentures are those that can be worn right after your teeth have been extracted. They allow you to get your teeth back during the healing process. But remember that the dentures may have to be relined or remade once your jaw and mouth have fully healed.
To ensure that your immediate dentures are ready upon tooth extraction, an impression will be taken weeks before your scheduled extraction. The only downside of this type of dentures is that they will need frequent adjustments as your gums and bones heal overtime.
Conventional dentures
Conventional dentures are what people generally think of when they think about dentures – they are fully removable. These are installed in your mouth once your teeth are removed and the surrounding tissues and gums are healed, which can take several months.
Partial dentures
Partial dentures will fill in the spaces between the natural teeth that don’t require extraction and the missing teeth. They are attached to crowns or kept in place using metal clasps. They can be removed, unless you opt for fixed partial dentures.
Full dentures
Full dentures are composed of lower and upper sets of artificial teeth to replace all teeth.
Fixed dentures
Fixed dentures are not removable because they are fixed surgically. These include implants and bridges.
Overdenture
If some teeth can be saved, this denture type is a good option. It fits over the remaining natural teeth. An Implant-supported fixed denture is a type of an overdenture that is attached to implants, while regular dentures rest on your gum.
3. What are dentures made of?
The teeth in dentures are made of some kind of porcelain or resin.
Porcelain
Porcelain is translucent. It appears and feels like natural teeth, but is harder. And since they are very hard, they tend to break easily once dropped on hard surfaces and can quickly wear down the remaining natural teeth in your mouth. For this reason, porcelain is used in full dentures.
Acrylic resin
Acrylic resin has become a more sought-after material for artificial teeth because it is lighter in weight and cheaper. It also adheres better, and it makes it easier to form the right occlusion. However, it wears out faster and requires frequent replacement.
4. What is the procedure for getting dentures?
Your dentist will examine your oral cavity. After that, he will recommend the best treatment for tooth replacement.
Once you both agree on dentures, an impression will be taken. To get an idea of the fit and general appearance, you will have a denture set in wax. Your bite will also be measured to ensure the proper line-up of your jaws. Expect to have at least one dental appointment to ensure a good fit.
But if you decide on getting immediate dentures, impressions will be taken before the extraction. Dentures will then be made based on your current state to ensure that they will be delivered to the clinic on the day of your extraction. And since your mouth will experience changes as it heals, you will need several dental appointments for adjusting the fit.
5. When should your dentures be replaced?
Here are some indications for the need for new dentures, a reline or rebase:
- Your dentures are wearing down or beginning to feel looser.
- You are experiencing signs of irritation or infection.
- You are feeling some sort of pain or discomfort in the affected area.
- Your face is starting to sink in.
6. How do you clean your dentures?
Caring for your dentures is as crucial as caring for your natural teeth. Keep them free of plaque and tartar to minimize your chances of getting stomatitis or thrush.
Here are care tips to keep your dentures clean and healthy:
- Brush them twice daily – after taking them out at night and before putting them back on in the morning. You should also rinse them after eating to remove food debris.
- Clean your mouth whenever you brush your dentures using a soft toothbrush.
- Don’t let your dentures dry out by keeping them in water whenever you take them out of your mouth. Don’t use hot water because this can warp or damage your dentures.
- Soak your dentures in a dentist-recommended solution, and don’t forget to rinse them before putting them back in your mouth.
- Don’t use bleach, whitening products, or even toothbrushes with hard bristles on your dentures because these products can result in abrasions.
- Make it a habit to line your cleaning surface with a towel, especially if you are cleaning your dentures over hard surfaces in your bathroom, because dentures can break or crack easily. The towel can act as a cushion should your dentures slip out of your hands while you clean them.
When getting dentures in Fort Lauderdale, keep in mind that having these devices doesn’t replace paying routine visits to the dentist. While these artificial teeth can’t suffer from tooth decay, they can become dull and stained over time. Moreover, your gum tissues may become susceptible to infection. Your dentist would want to examine your dentures from time to time. Minor adjustments may be necessary to ensure that they remain a good fit for you.
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