Dentures
Dentures are removable appliances that are used to replace missing teeth. It is important to replace missing teeth. The consequences of not doing so include a shift in the remaining teeth, an inability to bite and chew properly and a sagging facial appearance, which tends to make patients look older than they are.
Types of dentures
- Complete dentures
A removable dental prosthesis used to replace missing teeth for people with no remaining teeth.
- Overdenture
A removable dental prosthesis that covers or rests on one or more natural teeth, roots of natural teeth or dental implants.
- Removable partial denture
A removable dental prosthesis that replaces some teeth and is built around existing natural teeth. Different types include Chrome cobalt cast metal, flexible nylon (Valplast), and Acrylic partial dentures.
Both the overdenture and the removable partial denture may be connected to the remaining tooth roots or remaining natural teeth with anchors made of metal or plastic. These connections improve stability and the retention of both prostheses.
Treatment process
Consultation with dentist to examine gums and supporting bone structure to identify appropriate treatment plan. In some cases, oral surgery is performed to correct bony ridges that may interfere with the stability of the denture. In other cases, the remaining teeth with poor prognosis may need to be extracted before denture placement. If partial dentures are used, retentive grooves may be prepared in the teeth.
Impressions are taken to capture the anatomy and ensure the best fit possible.
In cases where teeth need to be removed, an immediate denture is typically placed to enable proper healing of the extraction sites and serve as an esthetic replacement for natural teeth. Gums will naturally shrink through the healing process of tooth loss , which normally takes from 6-12 months. Once healing is complete final dentures are made.