Dentures are personalized dental appliances that take the place of regular teeth which have been pulled or have fallen out. The exact type and look of the dentures you need depend on the number and location of the missing teeth, as well as the look of your natural teeth.
Process
Before the process for the denture impressions and fitting can be started, the dentist will pull any teeth that need to be removed. After that, your gums will have to fully heal, according to SimpleStepsDental.com. Once the gums are healed, the dentist will take an impression of the gums and determine the way your teeth close naturally, which is called the bite. The dentist will then work with you to choose the tooth style, color and size that will be used in the dentures. If you need temporary dentures, the dentist will provide you with instant dentures to use while the rest of the process is completed. The impression is then sent off to a lab where a dental technician will follow the very specific set of instructions sent in by the dentist. When the dentures are completed, you will have a fitting at your dentist's office to ensure the dentures fit properly.
Types
There are two basic categories of dentures: full and partial. Each of these categories has various types available, including soft, permanent and removable. Plastic, acrylic and porcelain are the materials most commonly used to make dentures. Full dentures replace all the teeth in the mouth or all the upper or lower teeth. Partial dentures replace only some of the teeth in the mouth and work in conjunction with the teeth that are still in the mouth.
Time Frame
Because the mouth changes as a person ages, it is necessary to be fitted for new dentures periodically. Generally, most dentures must be replaced or refitted within seven years of the original purchase, according to Dr. Martin S. Spiller, D.M.D.
Considerations
Dentures can affect the way your speech sounds. In some cases, simply slowing down your speech slightly can help to alleviate this problem. Dentures can also affect the way your mouth perceives certain foods, such as hot foods and liquids, according to MedlinePlus. Dentures may also make eating certain foods, such as candy apples and corn on the cob, difficult. Choosing a high-quality denture adhesive and having the dentures refit as needed can help to alleviate these concerns.
Care
Dentures are fragile appliances. You must properly care for the dentures by making sure you keep them clean and safe. Dentures must be brushed properly and soaked in denture cleaner daily. Because they are so fragile, dentures can break if they fall---even a short fall can damage them, according to the American Dental Association.
