Teeth can be lost because of tooth decay, root canal failure, gum disease, trauma to the mouth, excessive wear and tear, and congenital defects, according to yourdentistryguide.com. Tooth loss is not only detrimental to self-esteem but can seriously impair your ability to eat certain foods or chew them well enough to be digested properly. This can lead to malnutrition and other secondary problems. Dentures are the solution most people seek when facing tooth loss.
Standard Dentures
Standard dentures, or full dentures, are made for people who have lost all of their teeth. At least four visits to a professional are usually needed to make a set of them. The gums must be completely healed before the dentures can be put in. A suction fit of these acrylic mouthpieces on the gums and the roof of the mouth allow them to stay in place, so it is important to create a perfect fit to ensure optimal stability.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are the same as standard dentures except that they have empty spaces in them for any remaining natural teeth the patient has. These dentures are more stable than standard dentures because they can use the natural teeth in addition to suction to stay in place. Partial dentures can help in preserving natural teeth, but if all teeth are loose and end up falling out, the partial dentures can be converted into full or standard dentures.
Immediate Dentures
Unlike standard dentures, immediate dentures must be put in immediately after the real teeth are removed. Immediate dentures are created before the real teeth are taken out and are placed in the empty gum sockets. Immediate dentures are also known as temporary dentures because they often need to be adjusted or replaced due to their shifting during the healing process of the gums. Although more expensive than the standard dentures, getting immediate dentures means the patient can replace his real teeth the same day he gets them pulled out.
Overdentures
Overdentures are placed over natural teeth, implants, or remnants of teeth. Most overdentures involve teeth with root canal therapy. Doctorspiller.com says "If the roots of these teeth are still serviceable, the crown may be cut off at gum line and a removable appliance may be placed over the stumps." The stumps may be protected from decay by cast metal copings or filling material. Keeping the stumps of the teeth in place helps to support the dentures and gums.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a more expensive yet more natural-feeling and comfortable solution to missing or damaged teeth. They are a durable, permanent, and natural looking replacement for real teeth. Dental implants involve a hole being drilled into the bone into which a titanium screw is placed. Once the titanium has attatched to the bone, "the implant is then uncovered and a post which "pokes" through the gums into the mouth is attached to the implant." This post can support a porcelain tooth.
