If you have a few or all of your teeth missing, one solution is to have a denture.
A denture is made from hard-wearing material that mimics the look of teeth and gums to give you mouth a natural appearance. Your denture will be made to fit snugly on your gums and you will be able to remove it for cleaning.
When you wear a denture for the first time it may get some getting used to when speaking or eating and chewing. It is important that you take extra care in your hygiene regime so that you can avoid bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease. The hygienist will be able to show you how to best take care of your denture and gums and will tell you about specialised brushes you can use to do this
Benefits of Dentures
Natural facial appearance
The presence of teeth helps to provide a natural facial appearance and can potentially help to increase self-confidence. Furthermore, the fittings themselves can provide support for the lips and cheeks that can often take on a ‘collapsed’ appearance in patients with missing teeth.
Ability to chew food correctly
The ability to chew food correctly suffers if teeth are lost and can be improved by wearing dentures. This in turn means that food can be digested more easily as it moves through the body, helping people to take the maximum possible nutritional benefit from the meals they consume. Consequently, dentures can not only boost the health and appearance of the mouth and face, but also of the body as a whole.
Clear Speech
If teeth are lost, people can often find their ability to speak clearly is impaired, particularly in the case of the anterior teeth – namely the incisors and canines. Those who opt for dentures should therefore find that their pronunciation improves. All dentures of this nature are finished in high-impact very natural looking acrylic teeth, meaning they are able to stand up to the wear and tear that affects teeth on a daily basis.
Complete Dentures
Complete dentures can be either “conventional” or “immediate.” Made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has begun to heal, a conventional denture is ready for placement in the mouth about 8 to 12 weeks after the teeth have been removed.
Unlike conventional dentures, immediate dentures are made in advance and can be fitted as soon as the teeth are removed. As a result, the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums shrink over time, especially during the first weeks following tooth removal.
Therefore a disadvantage of immediate dentures compared with conventional dentures is that they require more adjustments (relines) to fit properly during the healing process and generally should only be considered a temporary solution until conventional dentures can be made.
Partial Dentures
A removable partial denture usually consists of replacement teeth attached to a pink or gum-coloured plastic base, which is connected by metal framework that holds the denture in place in the mouth.
Partial dentures are used when one or more natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw.
Implant Retained Dentures
Implant-retained dentures alleviate all of the main issues associated with long term use of dentures, such as difficulty chewing, speaking or gum irritation. Strategically placed implants securely support a fixed bridge or denture, firmly holding the prosthesis in place providing a comfortable solution to missing teeth.
You will be able to enjoy your favourite foods again and feel comfortable smiling, safe in the knowledge that your dentures are staying put.