Dentures and Partial Dentures

How Do Dentures Work?

A denture consists of artificial teeth fitted to an acrylic plate. The plate fits over the gum line and matches the color of the gums.

There are three types of dentures:

• Full: If a patient loses all their teeth, they’ll need a set of full dentures to give them a complete set of teeth again. Patients use adhesive or implants to keep these dentures in place.
• Partial: These are similar to bridges and replace a series of teeth. Dr. Jackson secures these to the remaining teeth in the mouth.
• Temporary: Designed to last a few months, these are primarily used when patients are waiting for their gums to remodel themselves after tooth loss.

Full Dentures

Full dentures replace all the teeth in the mouth. Patients may choose traditional dentures secured by adhesive or by implants.

Conventional dentures allow patients to chew normally, are durable, improve the appearance of the face, and can be cared for much like natural teeth. Traditionally, patients used adhesive to secure the dentures. The installation method here is simple and requires no surgery, but the glue doesn’t always hold. Food may get trapped between the denture and the gum, causing discomfort if not properly cleaned.

Implants are a newer way to secure these devices. It’s a more expensive but more permanent solution. Patients will need surgery to install the implant screws first and will have to wait for the bone to knit around these screws before fitting the dentures. These dentures are permanent and can be treated more like regular teeth. They won’t slip, so they’re less prone to damage.

Maple Creek Dental provides both options for patients requiring dentures in Springville, UT.

Partial Dentures

If patients have some healthy teeth remaining, we recommend partial dentures instead. Dr. Jackson secures these devices to crowns on the remaining teeth, so there’s no need for implant surgery or adhesives.

This is a better alternative to a full set of dentures as the natural teeth anchor the device properly. The process is faster and more affordable because there’s no surgery. The partial dentures fill in the gaps between teeth and prevent the natural teeth from shifting out of place.

Temporary Dentures

Also known as immediate dentures, these are a stop-gap measure. After losing teeth, the gum tissue shrinks as the jawbone starts to remodel itself. This occurs because your teeth exert pressure on the jaw every time you take a bite.

Remove that pressure, and the bone loses density over time. It typically takes twelve weeks to see the full extent of those changes. Fitting dentures before this period is over is not ideal. As the gum and jaw change, the dentures won’t fit as well.

Patients who can’t afford to wait twelve weeks for this change can opt for a temporary device in the interim. These devices are less expensive and designed to be discarded after a few months.

How Do Dentists Fit The Dentures?

The dentist will take several impressions of your teeth and gum line to ensure a perfect fit. From there, the process depends on what type of device and anchor method you choose.

You’ll need to replace your dentures every five to seven years for an optimal fit. The gum line may change over time, changing how well the device fits.

The porcelain composite used in dentures also wears out faster than natural teeth would, another reason that dentures should be replaced periodically.

How To Care For Dentures

Patients should remove their dentures every evening and rinse them thoroughly, then brush them using a brush for the purpose. Follow this up with a final rinse, then place the dentures in water or a solution intended for the dentures until the next day.

Patients should then brush their gums, roof of the mouth, and tongue. They may choose to rinse with antibacterial mouthwash afterward.

The next morning, patients should once again brush the gums, roof of the mouth, and tongue. They may then remove the dentures from the water or solution, rinse them, and place them back in the mouth.

How Do Dentures Feel?

Dentures have come a long way. Decades ago, it may have been easy to spot a set as fake, but today’s models look and feel more natural.

Patients should pay careful attention to cleaning dentures every day to avoid infections caused by food particles. While these fake teeth don’t get cavities, plaque can still build up on the gums and cause periodontal disease.

It’s also wise for patients to be careful about the foods that they eat. The porcelain isn’t quite as durable as natural teeth.

Alternative Options

Patients may enjoy the benefits of alternative options to dentures. There is a procedure that combines implant dentistry with dentures. Those that need complete dentures can benefit by having a secure way to hold their dentures in place. If you live in the Springville UT area, we can examine your gums and let you know if you are a good candidate for the procedure. In this scenario, an impression is taken of your mouth in order to create a denture that will be secured in place using implants. Once created, metal posts will be implanted under your gums, and the dentures secured to it. This way patients get the benefits of how quickly dentures can be created and the convenience of the stability that can only come from using implant technology.

How do I care for my dentures?

Every night you need to take your dentures out. We advise patients to rinse them thoroughly then use a denture brush to remove any food particles before rinsing them again. You also need to brush your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste. You can use an antiseptic mouthwash afterwards to kill any lingering bacteria and improve your breath. Your dentures should soak all night then be placed back in the mouth in the morning.