Dentures are commonly called 'false teeth', although their proper name is 'dental prostheses'. There are many reasons why people may be missing some or all of their teeth. Missing teeth often cause difficulties with chewing and speaking, and can affect the appearance of your smile.
For this reason, many people choose to replace their missing teeth with dentures. Dentures are custom-made to fit your mouth. With advances in modern technology, dentures can be made to look natural and fit more comfortably than ever before, creating a lasting replacement for missing teeth.
There are different types of dentures, which are classified according to how many teeth they replace, what material they are made of and how they are held in place in the mouth.
A full denture is one that replaces all of the natural teeth. It can be made either for the upper jaw or the lower jaw, or both. Dentures are typically made of acrylic (plastic) with a gum-colored (pink/brown) base and have acrylic teeth set into them. The teeth can be made in different shapes, sizes and colors. Many people prefer their dentures to look like their natural teeth did, although some prefer to improve on appearance when having their dentures made.
Immediate dentures can be pre-measured and made, then fitted at the same appointment as the natural teeth are removed. This means that the person avoids a period without any teeth. The denture is inserted in the mouth immediately after the teeth are removed and is worn continuously until healing occurs. Immediate dentures often need to be adjusted and re-lined more than once as the gums heal and change shape.
An overdenture is a denture that fits over the top of another structure. This may be over the top of some remaining natural teeth, over the top of remaining tooth roots, or attached to dental implants. The remaining teeth, roots or dental implants act as anchors to secure the denture in place. This method is sometimes used in the lower jaw where problems with stability and securing a denture are more common.
Dentures can be attached to dental implants to improve stability. Dental implants are a special type of titanium post that is surgically inserted into the jawbone. The implants then attach to and anchor the denture in place.
The denture can be screwed onto the implants securely by the dentist. This type of denture is held in place permanently. A dentist can remove this type of denture by unscrewing it for regular cleaning and maintenance.
Many people who have had trouble with loose, uncomfortable dentures choose to have an implant-supported denture made. These will not move when speaking or eating and do not rub painfully against the underlying gum. They also allow the wearer to eat foods that are hard and chewy, something that is not possible with regular full dentures.
There are four different types of implant-supported dentures for replacing a full arch of teeth.
Two or more dental implants are placed into the jawbone at intervals and a metal bar is attached between them. An acrylic (plastic) denture is then made to clip securely into place over the bar. The denture will usually have a small space between its base and the gums, which needs to be kept clean. The denture is taken out at night for cleaning and to allow proper cleaning of the implants and surrounding gums. This type of implant denture is suitable for either the upper or lower jaw. In the upper jaw, it does not need to cover the whole roof of the mouth, as a regular denture would, so it allows the wearer to have more natural taste and texture sensations with food. The denture is also less bulky.
Several implants are placed in the jaw and each one holds a ball attachment. An acrylic (plastic) denture is then made with matching sockets to clip securely in place over the implants. The denture will usually have a small space between its base and the gums, which needs to be kept clean. The denture is taken out at night to be cleaned and allow proper cleaning of the implants and surrounding gums. In the upper jaw, the denture does not need to cover the whole roof of the mouth, as a regular denture would.
Some people prefer to have an implant-supported denture that they do not have to remove at all. This is called an implant-supported full bridge. It is fixed in place onto a number of implants, held securely by screws that only the dentist can remove. It is made of acrylic or porcelain and fits closely to the gums. Special floss and brushes are used at home to clean around the implants. These full-arch bridges tend to be more expensive than implant-supported dentures, as they usually require more implants and cost more to make.
'All-on-four' is a newer technique where only four implants are placed into the jawbone and a bridge is secured in place over these. The implants are placed at angles in the bone, to maximize the use of sturdy bone. This 'all-on four' method is usually less costly than placing more implants to support the denture. Your dentist can discuss what will be the best option for you.
Mini-implants are similar to regular dental implants, except that they are much thinner and smaller, and solid on the inside, while regular implants are hollow. They are much simpler to place into the jaw, as they do not require a complex surgical procedure and the healing is much faster. They are favored by people because the surgical placement does not involve gum surgery or removal of bone before placement. As a result, people experience less swelling and discomfort after the placement procedure. In most cases, mini-implants can be attached to a denture immediately, avoiding many months of waiting for the implant to heal and integrate into the bone. For these reasons they have become very popular and have comparable success, so far, to conventional implant-supported dentures.
Mini-implants cost much less than regular implants. They are popular for supporting dentures, where four or more mini-implants can be placed to attach to a denture base securely. Some dentists, however, may be reluctant to recommend them as they are a relatively new technique. There is not much scientific data to prove their success, although results to date show good success rates if used in areas of minimal biting forces. Mini-implants are not as strong as regular implants and so should only be used in areas of light chewing, such as the front of the mouth, or for supporting dentures.
A partial denture is made to replace one or more missing teeth and relies on the remaining natural teeth to hold it in place. A partial denture consists of an acrylic or metal base with acrylic teeth fixed in place. Metal clasps within the partial denture fit securely around existing teeth. A certain number of healthy and well-positioned natural teeth are needed to secure the partial denture. The partial denture is usually removed nightly for cleaning and to clean the remaining natural teeth and gums.
An acrylic partial denture is made entirely of acrylic (plastic) and uses metal wire clasps to attach to the remaining natural teeth.
The benefits of an acrylic partial denture are:
The disadvantages are:
Partial dentures can also be made of a thin base of metal with acrylic teeth and gums attached to the base plate. These are called cobalt-chrome partial dentures.
The advantages of cobalt-chrome partial dentures are:
The disadvantages of a cobalt-chrome partial denture are:
In order to make a denture, your dentist will first examine your mouth and jaws and ask you some questions about your health and previous dental experiences. It is important to take the time to thoroughly discuss any issues, so you can make an informed decision about your treatment.
When a decision has been made to make a denture, the dentist will take an impression of your mouth and any existing teeth that remain, using a special putty-like impression material.
The shape and color of the new denture will be decided by you and your dentist.
The impressions and instructions are sent to a dental laboratory where the denture or partial denture is made. There are usually a few appointments required to 'try-in' the denture in the various stages of manufacture before the final denture is completed.
People often take some time to become accustomed to their new dentures. Typically the new denture will feel strange to begin with. It may feel tight, uncomfortable and bulky in the mouth. You may notice an increase in salivation when wearing the denture. Your speech may also initially be affected by the denture, although this generally improves with time.
Give yourself time to adjust to the denture. Eating soft foods and removing the denture for short periods of time to rest your mouth is advisable. If you are tired or unwell, a new denture is likely to feel even more uncomfortable. You should make an appointment to visit your dentist to check your new denture a few weeks after it has been made. New dentures often require a few adjustments.
If you have been fitted with an immediate denture (inserted in the same appointment as your teeth are removed), your dentist will need to check your denture more often to ensure there is proper healing of the gums. You will be given special instructions for what to do after the extractions.
Secretion of saliva by the salivary glands in the mouth.
Just as a new denture requires adjustments to make it more comfortable, older dentures will also need alterations as the mouth changes.
Once teeth have been removed, a slow process of bone resorption occurs in the mouth. This means that some bone slowly disappears and the gums will appear to be shrinking back. When this happens, a denture will become unstable. You may notice that your denture does not fit as well as it used to. It may move around and rub on the gums, causing ulcers and sore spots. The denture may slip out of place when eating or speaking. See your dentist to make any adjustments to your denture. Your dentist may be able to re-line your denture by taking a new mold of your mouth and adding some acrylic to the base of the denture. A soft lining may also be recommended to cushion the fitting surface of your denture. There are also many removable lining materials available that can help your denture adhere to your mouth and prevent slipping. These can be bought over the counter and are easy to apply at home.
An open sore in the skin or mucous membranes such as those of the stomach lining, intestine or mouth.
Dentures should be removed from the mouth and cleaned after every meal or at least twice a day after meals. A regular toothbrush and denture-cleaning cream or mild soap can be used to clean the denture. Avoid regular toothpastes, as some are abrasive and can scratch the surface of your dentures. Ensure you brush both the outside and the inside fitting surface of the denture. Special denture cleaning brushes are available.
It is best to clean the denture while holding it over a basin of water or over a towel so that it will not break if accidentally dropped. If you have a partial denture, you should also thoroughly brush and floss your remaining natural teeth at the same time. A partial denture sits in contact with natural teeth and gums, and can trap food around them. This will put your natural teeth at a greater risk of dental decay and gum disease. Brushing all the surfaces of the teeth and dentures is important to avoid further damage and loss of more natural teeth.
Do not use methylated spirits or other harsh chemicals to clean your denture. Also, avoid washing them in boiling water, as they may melt or warp from the heat. Special denture cleaners are available and can be used to soak the denture overnight if needed.
A chronic, progressive disease of the gums caused mainly by bacteria and poor oral hygiene. Early stages are generally asymptomatic, with the advanced stages characterized by loss of gum tissue, supporting bone and eventual loss of teeth.
Any kind of new denture is likely to feel uncomfortable and foreign at first. A settling-in period of at least a few weeks is to be expected.
Initial problems with a new denture include:
Long-term problems with dentures include:
Any inflammatory condition caused by a fungus, a certain type of microscopic organism that includes yeasts, molds and mushrooms.
The clear watery fluid secreted into the mouth by salivary glands, which aids chewing, swallowing and digestion.
The roof of the mouth, composed of bone in the front (the hard palate) and a softer tissue at the back (the soft palate).
Before making any decisions about dental treatment, it is important to discuss your treatment with your dentist. Be sure to tell your dentist about any medical conditions you may have and medications you take. This can be very important in deciding which treatments are suitable for you.