People who have lost their natural teeth experience problems chewing; social embarrassment and feelings of self-consciousness and emotional pain, reports the Academy of General Dentistry. Full mouth dentures are custom-made sets of false teeth for people who have lost all of their natural teeth. According to the Columbia University Medical Center School of Dental and Oral Surgery, developments in technology allows today's dentures to appear more natural and fit more comfortably.
Immediate Complete Denture
If you need full mouth dentures, the dentist may provide you with a temporary complete denture immediately after removing your teeth. At an initial visit before tooth removal, your dentist will measure your mouth and jaw, and, using those measurements, she will create a denture you can wear for up to six months until your teeth and bones heal. Immediate complete dentures improve appearance, provide support for facial muscles and allow eating and talking during the early months after tooth removal. In some cases, because gums and bones shrink after tooth removal, your dentist may need to adjust and realign your immediate complete dentures, according to the American Dental Association.
Conventional Full Dentures
Conventional full dentures are permanent dentures. According to Columbia University Medical Center School of Dental and Oral Surgery, having conventional full mouth dentures made involves several trips to the dentist, so that he can create impressions, or molds of your mouth. You'll select the size, color and shape of the false teeth used in your dentures and may need surgery to remove any remaining teeth. Wearing full mouth dentures requires an adjustment in your eating habits, and you may need to cut food into smaller pieces. The first few days after you get your dentures, your dentist will advise you to wear them all the time. However, after a few days you'll take them out at night to allow your gums and mouth tissues to rest.
Overdentures
Your dentist may recommend a type of denture called an overdenture. People who have one or more natural teeth remaining may get overdentures; dentists may also put overdentures in place after fitting the patient with dental implants. The Columbia University Medical Center School of Dental and Oral Surgery notes that overdentures possess several advantages. They help preserve bone in the jaw and reduce pressure from chewing; they also make dentures less likely to shift in the mouth.
References
- Academy of General Dentistry: Temporary Dentures Improve Patients' Smiles -- and Overall Health
- Columbia University Medical Center School of Dental and Oral Surgery: Dentures Basics
- American Dental Association: Dentures
- Columbia University Medical Center School of Dental and Oral Surgery: Implant-Supported Dentures
