THE FACTS ABOUT DENTURES
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Dentures have actually been in use for more than 2,000 years. As substitutes for missing teeth, dentures have been improved so that they are effective, easy to use and aesthetically appealing. Properly fit dentures not only can improve your appearance, but also can help you to eat more comfortably and speak more clearly. |
Each patient presents a personal, individual situation. You and your dentist can discuss the
options that are available to you. Together, you will determine the best choice for your particular
situation. If you are having all of your teeth removed, you may decide to wait until your gums
have healed before having dentures made. While your final restorations are being custom-made
for you, we will create "temporaries" so your smile will look and feel natural, so you need not be
embarrassed. The temporaries are easy to remove for cleaning and they help to speed the process
of tissue healing This "waiting period" is particularly important if periodontal (gum) disease is present.
Another alternative, called "immediate dentures," allows insertion just after extraction.. Your dentist will advise you as to whether this is the best option for you.
1. There will be no time during which you will be without teeth.
2. The extraction sites are covered and protected by your new dentures. This procedure will helps to control both bleeding and swelling. By keeping small particles of food out of the wounds, this procedure also reduces the possibilities of irritation and inflammation.
3. If your extracted teeth are replaced immediately by dentures, your tongue, lips and cheeks are supported. This will help to minimize changes in position and the subsequent changes in your facial appearance that may occur, may be reduced.
4. With no "down time" between your extractions and the replacement with dentures, you will not need to learn to speak and chew without teeth. This may eliminate the subsequent need to relearn those processes with your dentures in place.
Immediate dentures are not the best choice for everyone. The state of health and specific oral health problems may determine that another options is better for your particular case. As the tissues in your mouth heal, they may shrink and alter the fit of the denture. This may require adjustments or relining and, so, additional visits to the office. The more complex procedures involved in design, construction and refitting make immediate dentures a somewhat more expensive option than "regular" dentures.
In the event that you are having only several teeth removed, your dentist may suggest a removable partial denture. Removable partial dentures maintain your oral health in several ways:
1. By acting as space maintainers, the "partials" keep your teeth from drifting into the open spaces. Such shifting places an unnatural stress on the tissues in your mouth and make your remaining teeth more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease.
2. By balancing your bite with replacement teeth you will be able to chew naturally on all sides of your mouth. Chewing on one side places unnecessary stress on the teeth involved and can eventually cause further gum and tissue problems.
3. Replacing missing teeth helps to improve both your appearance and speech. By supporting your lips and cheeks, "partials" help to support normal facial structure.
Whether you and your dentist decide on partial, immediate or "regular" dentures, your success as a denture wearer depends in great measure on your positive attitude. You will need to be persistent. Keeping your dental appointments and following your dentist's instructions is critical. Take the time to adjust to your dentures and you will become one of millions of satisfied people who, like you, wear dentures.
Our thanks to Glidewell Laboratories for the use of images and textual information.
