Dentures
What are dentures
Dentures are removal dental appliances with artifical teeth. There are basically 3 types :
- Partial dentures : fits around your remaining, healthy teeth. Partial dentures usually have artificial teeth and gum, connected by a metal framework that are usually held in place by clasps to natural teeth.
- Complete dentures : can be used to all upper teeth, all lower teeth or both. Complete dentures consist of artificial teeth and gums and rest directly on your gums.
- Overdentures : fit over your remaining teeth or dental implants. Teeth or implants give the denture stability, so that it is less likely to shift and move in mouth. To fit an ovedenture, natural teeth usually need to be reshaped. Or dental implants are placed and the overdentures sits on the implants.
They may be made from plastic, metal or a combination of both plastic and metal.
Pros of dentures
- improves appearance in replacing missing gaps
- adds support for facial structures
- helps with chewing and eating food relative to having missing gaps
- normally a more economical option to dental implants or dental bridges
Cons of dentures
- need to be removed daily for cleaning and should not be worn during sleep
- may also move during eating (especially for complete denture) because they rest on a smaller surface of bone
- require proper care and some maintenance to prevent mouth problems, sores, infections and bad breath
- upper plates tend to interfere with speech
- it take a while getting used to
- ill-fitting plates may cause bleeding gums
- as compared to dental implants, dentures may accelerate bone loss and that in-turns makes it more uncomfortable in later years
- will likely need to be adjusted and relined periodically and replaced approximately every 3 to 5 years
Due to numerous issues associated with dentures, dental implant supported dentures or dental implant crowns/bridge replacement teeth are increasingly done. View pros and cons of dental implants over denture.
Complete or partial dentures still can be of great benefit to people who have lost all or most of their teeth. When getting dentures, make sure you go to a qualified dentist, who is experienced or qualified in the field of prosthodontics. Cheap dentures may not be as well-fitting or may not last as long. Good yet affordable dentures, which do not compromise on quality are the best choice for most people.