A Beginner's Guide To Dentures: Eligibility, Types, Procedure, and Care

A Beginner's Guide To Dentures: Eligibility, Types, Procedure, and Care

Oct 13, 2021

Gaps left by lost teeth can cause issues such as difficulty eating and speaking. Adjacent teeth can also shift towards the gap, causing misalignments. Jawbone deterioration, facial sagging, and poor dental hygiene and health are other side effects of having missing teeth. Fortunately, individuals with significant teeth loss can benefit from dentures.

What are Dentures?

Dentures are artificial teeth that replace missing natural teeth. Depending on the number of missing teeth, you can have partial or complete dentures. Partial dentures replace a few teeth on either jaw. Complete dentures replace all the teeth. You will work with a gum specialist if your gums and surrounding tissues aren’t healthy.
Dentures aim at replacing the missing teeth, maintaining your facial muscles, and enhancing your smile. Dentures also make it easier to chew, eat, and speak properly. They also prevent jawbone resorption by restoring your chewing ability.

Who’s a Good Candidate for Dentures?

Anyone with a missing tooth or teeth is a good candidate for dentures. A denture patient needs to have healthy gum tissues and enough jawbone structure to hold the denture properly. While dentures are ideal for patients of all ages, they are most recognized with patients aged about 65 years.

There are a few reasons why most people have missing teeth. These include:

  • Poor oral hygiene and health
  • Natural aging
  • Periodontal disease
  • Tooth extraction
  • Severe tooth decay
  • Jaw or facial injury

You may also be at risk for tooth loss if you:

  • Are male
  • Aged above 35 years
  • Smoke or use tobacco products
  • Have high blood pressure or diabetes
  • Have rheumatoid arthritis
  • Neglect regular dental checkups and cleanings
  • Neglect proper at-home dental care
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Types of dentures

If you are considering dentures, these are the major types of dentures:

  • Complete Dentures – You get a full set of artificial teeth. They are ideal for patients who have lost all of their lower or upper teeth or both.
  • Partial Dentures – These dentures are used to replace one or a few missing teeth. They are great alternatives to tooth replacement treatments such as dental bridges. Partial dentures can be removable or fixed, depending on your preferences.
  • Implant-Retained Dentures – These dentures are ideal for patients with significant bone loss. They provide enough anchorage for the dentures. They, however, need to be removed when cleaning.
  • Immediate Dentures – If your teeth aren’t yet extracted, you can opt for immediate or same-day dentures. These dentures are installed the same day as the teeth are extracted.

How are Dentures Fitted

Installing dentures is generally a standard procedure. The first step to receiving dentures is to visit a dental clinic for a professional checkup and advice. To speak with our denture dentist in North Brunswick, NJ, contact KK Dental.
The dentist will check your remaining teeth, gums, bone, and your overall health. If you’re eligible, the dentist will schedule you for the denture fitting appointment.
On the first appointment, your dentist will clean your mouth and take molds of your natural gums and teeth. Digital images can also be taken and sent to the dental lab, along with the molds, to create custom dentures. The dentist will consult you about the size, shape, and shade of the denture.

Once the dentures are ready, the dentist will invite you to the dental office for the fitting procedure. The dentist will test them for proper fitting and make adjustments if necessary. If everything is in order, the denture will be fitted. For removable dentures, your dentist will show you how to remove, wear, and clean the dentures. Make sure you follow the dentist’s instructions.

Proper Denture Care

Good at-home and professional dental hygiene are crucial to prevent bad breath, plaque build-up, bone loss, oral thrush, and stomatitis (the inflammation of the mouth’s soft tissue lining). To avoid these problems:

  • Gently brush your dentures every night to remove debris and plaque. You should hold your dentures over a sink with a washcloth or a basin of water to prevent damage if they drop. Never use hot water.
  • Soak your dentures overnight with a commercial denture-cleansing liquid. Ensure you brush them every morning before wearing them. Never let the dentures dry out.
  • Clean your teeth, gums, palate, and tongue every morning before wearing the dentures. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
  • Schedule frequent dental exams and cleanings
  • Notify your dentist immediately if your dentures chip, crack, or loosen. Never try to adjust them yourself as you can damage them further.

Final Verdict

With good care, dentures can last for ten years or so. While they may feel uncomfortable or awkward in the first few weeks, you’ll get used to wearing them soon! However, if they get damaged, you should have them replaced for maximum protection.

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