People often lose teeth due to extensive decay or periodontal disease. Dentures are artificial teeth used to replace those that have been lost. Complete dentures replace teeth in the entire upper or lower jaw. Partial dentures are used when there are natural teeth remaining.
Removal
A denture is a removable appliance not permanently attached inside the mouth. This can be annoying for those who don't want their teeth to go in and out. There is always a concern that the denture can slip or fall out. This also means that the denture must be removed daily to be cleaned and disinfected. Improper denture hygiene can result in fungal infections and irritation to the gums.
Improper Fit
Even after dentures are made, the mouth continues to change. Jaw bones often recede, resulting in dentures that no longer fit properly. Adjustments must be made often to maintain a satisfactory fit. If the denture cannot be made to fit well with simple adjustments, the denture may have to be relined or rebased. This means that material is added to the denture base to provide a more accurate mouth fit. Denture adhesive creams can be used to hold a denture in place for short amounts of time, but adhesives cannot repair ill-fitting dentures.
Difficulty Adjusting
Adjustment is especially hard for a patient who has gone from having no teeth at all to a full set of teeth. New dentures can cause problems with speaking and eating. The Consumer Guide to Dentistry recommends chewing small bites of soft food when first eating with dentures. Speaking also requires practice to feel normal, but it usually improves within a few weeks. Denture wearers should visit the dentist regularly in order to prevent problems and to expediently address those that do occur.
