Dentures are a removable set of false teeth designed to replace teeth that have been lost through disease or injury. Different types of dentures are available, all of which must be fitted by a dentist. With a little practice, a dental patient with dentures can get used to his new set of teeth and adjust to the differences between dentures and natural teeth.
Types
There are a few different types of dentures, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center. Complete dentures replace all of the teeth in the mouth. Partial dentures, or overdentures, replace only some teeth and bridge the gap between teeth that still remain. Conventional dentures require removal of all remaining teeth and then allow for a few weeks or months of recovery before they are fitted into the mouth. Immediate dentures, on the other hand, are set into the mouth immediately after tooth removal.
Reasons
People get dentures to replace missing teeth. Some people lose their teeth due to periodontal disease. Others have teeth knocked out during sports or other activities. According to the Columbia University Medical Center, dentures are not a required part of getting older and many people manage to maintain their natural teeth and avoid ever getting dentures.
Procedure
To create dentures, the dentist will first take a mold of the mouth after tooth removal. This dental impression is sent to a lab where the dentures are made. After a preliminary fitting during which any potential problems are discovered, the dentist will schedule an appointment for the final installation of the dentures. For immediate dentures, this process may be done right after teeth extraction and further adjustments made as the mouth changes shape over the following months. For complete dentures, the process of making and installing the dentures is delayed, so once the dentures are in, no further adjustments or fittings are required.
Care
Dentures should be taken out of the mouth and cleaned daily, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center. When not in use, they should be soaked in water or a denture cleaning solution. Individuals with dentures should see a dentist every six months for a professional cleaning and a checkup of the dentures. When dentures begin to wear down or stop fitting as well as previously, they should be replaced.
Considerations
Dentures are not the same as teeth and therefore they may present the new denture owner with unfamiliar sensations and difficulties. According to the American Dental Association, people with new dentures often experience difficulty eating and talking as they get used to the feel of the false teeth. It may take some practice and adjustments such as cutting food into smaller pieces and talking more slowly to adapt to using the dentures.
