Dentures are replacements for missing teeth that are removable and typically made out of material designed to look as close to natural teeth as possible. They are custom fitted to the individual to provide a perfect and natural smile. They also help strengthen the muscles that control the expressions on the face, improve pronunciation problems and aid with chewing. Part of the process of custom fitting and crafting dentures for the individual will sometimes include other procedures in order to prepare the mouth.
Extractions
In many cases the start of a denture fitting begins with extraction of the remaining teeth. According to The Dental Comfort Zone and Dr. Jerry Gordon, tooth extraction is classified as oral surgery. Special instruments are used to free the tooth from the jawbone. Potential risks include bleeding, swelling, pain and infection at the sight of extraction. Removing teeth can damage other tissue in the mouth and can also result in temporary or permanent injury to the jaw joint.
Ridge Reshaping
There are two dental ridge reshaping procedures that may be considered. According to the Florida Institute for Periodontics and Dental Implants, ridge augmentation is suggested in an instance when a patient has a crease in the gum, depression or cleft that distorts the line and will potentially trap food beneath the denture plate. The purpose is to build up gum tissue and allow the dentist to create an area where the dentures will appear to emerge naturally from the gums. An Aveloplasty is a procedure where the dental ridge is a reshaped, primarily when it is too large, with the same intended results.
Tuberosity Reduction
According to Colgate World of Care, this procedure makes the area behind the last molar in the upper jaw less prominent. By removing the tuberosity, the dentures will fit more cleanly in the mouth and prevent dentures from falling out during eating and speaking. When an individual has all their teeth, the tuberosity is not a problem. However, when teeth are lost, the tuberosity may hang down beyond the rest of the jaw and make the proper fit for dentures difficult. A large tuberosity will prevent a seal between the denture and the roof of the mouth from forming.
Gingivoplasty
According to the Cosmetic Dentistry Center in Houston, Texas, this procedure will excise gum tissue in the areas of the mouth and surgically re-shape and re-contour for physiological or functional purposes. It is done using electro-surgery unit or a soft tissue laser to cut the tissue and help stop the bleeding. The procedure is usually done using local anesthetic. Patients at the Cosmetic Dentistry Center experience minimal postoperative pain while preparing for their new dentures.
Dental Implants
The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons recommend dental implants as a solution for replacing missing teeth. By age 74, 26 percent of all adults have lost their permanent teeth. Rather than resting on the gum line or using any remaining teeth as anchors, dental implants are long-term replacements that are surgically fixed in the jawbone. Titanium metal is fused with the jawbone through a process and the dental implants never slip or make noises while eating. When cared for properly, dental implants can last the life of the individual.
References
- The Dental Comfort Zone: Having a Tooth Pulled? Consider the Risks
- Florida Institute for Periodontics and Dental Implants: Smile Enhancement
- Colgate World of Care: Tuberosity Reduction
- Cosmetic Dentistry Center: Gingivectomy and Gingivoplasty
- American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: Dental Implants
