Dentures are a replacement for missing teeth that can be removed and put back into your mouth as you please. Depending on each individual case, a patient may receive full dentures or partial dentures.
Full dentures are used when all of the natural teeth are removed from the mouth and need to be replaced. There are two types of full dentures.
- Conventional Full Dentures - This is when all the teeth are removed and the tissue is given time to heal before the dentures are placed. It could take a few months for the gum tissue to heal completely, and during this time you will be without teeth.
- Immediate Full Dentures - Prior to having your teeth removed, your dentist takes measurements and has dentures fitted for your mouth. After removing the teeth, the dentures are immediately placed in your mouth. The benefit is that you do not have to spend any time without teeth. You will, however, need to have follow up visits to refit your dentures because the jaw bone will slightly change shape as your mouth heals. The dentures will likely need to be relined for a better fit after the jaw bone has healed.
Partial dentures are an option when not all of your teeth need to be removed. This is similar to a bridge, but it is not a permanent fixture in your mouth.
Even though dentures are not natural teeth, they do require similar care. You should brush them to remove plaque and food particles after removing them from your mouth. After your dentures have been cleaned, you should place them directly into room temperature water or a denture cleaning solution. Never use hot water because it could warp the dentures. Your dentures are delicate, so make sure you are careful when handling them so you don't drop them. Also, never try to adjust your dentures yourself. You could ruin them, so you should always seek assistance from your dentist if they feel uncomfortable or loose.
Your dentures may take some time to get used to. The flesh colored base of the dentures is placed over your gums. Some people say that it feels bulky or that they don't have enough room for their tongue. Other times the dentures might feel loose. These feelings will affect the way you eat and talk for a little while. Over time, your mouth becomes trained to eat and speak with your dentures and they begin to feel more and more comfortable. They may never feel perfectly natural, but dentures can provide a good alternative to missing teeth.
