A denture
is a removable replacement for missing teeth and adjacent
tissues. It is made of acrylic resin, sometimes in
combination with various metals. Complete dentures
replace all the teeth, while a partial denture fills
in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevents
other teeth from changing position. Complete dentures
are either "conventional" or "immediate."
A conventional denture is placed in the mouth about
a month after all the teeth are removed to allow for
proper healing, whereas an immediate denture is placed
as soon as the teeth are removed. The drawback behind
an immediate denture is that it may require more adjustments
after the healing has taken place.
Candidates
for complete dentures have lost most or all of their
teeth. A partial denture is suitable for those who
have some natural teeth remaining. A denture improves
chewing ability and speech, and provides support for
facial muscles. It will greatly enhance the facial
appearance and smile.
A dentist
can make a full conventional denture when all teeth
have been lost or all extraction sites have healed
(up to eight weeks or longer.) The denture process
takes about one month and five appointments: the initial
diagnosis is made; an impression and a wax bite are
made to determine vertical dimensions and proper jaw
position; a "try-in" is placed to assure
proper color, shape and fit; and the patient's final
denture is placed, following any minor adjustments.
New denture
wearers need time to get accustomed to their new "teeth"
because even the best fitting dentures will feel awkward
at first. While most patients can begin to speak normally
within a few hours, many patients report discomfort
with eating for several days to a few weeks. To get
accustomed to chewing with a new denture, start with
soft, easy-to-chew foods. In addition, denture wearers
often notice a slight change in facial appearance,
increased salivary flow, or minor speech difficulty.
A denture
is fragile, so it is important to handle it with care.
Remove and brush the denture daily, preferably with
a brush designed specifically for cleaning dentures,
using either a denture cleanser or toothpastes. Never
use harsh, abrasive cleansers, including abrasives
toothpastes, because they may scratch the surface
of the denture. Don't sterilize your denture with
boiling water because it will cause it to become warped.
If you wear a partial denture be sure to remove it
before brushing your natural teeth. When not in use,
soak it in a cleanser solution or in water. Get in
the habit of keeping the denture in the same safe
and handy place to reduce the likelihood of misplacement.
While you
may be advised to wear your denture almost constantly
during the first two weeks- even while you sleep-under
normal circumstances it is considered best to remove
it at night. Research has shown that removing the
denture for at least eight hours during either the
day or night allows the gum tissue to rest and allows
normal stimulation and cleansing by the tongue and
saliva. This promotes better long-term health of the
gums.
It is important
to continue having regular dental checkups so that
a dentist can examine oral tissues for signs of disease
or cancer. As of aging, your mouth will continue to
change as the bone under your denture shrinks or recedes.
To maintain a proper fit over time, it may be necessary
to adjust your denture or possibly remake your denture.
Never attempt to adjust a denture yourself and do
not use denture adhesives for a prolonged period because
it can contribute to bone loss. When in doubt, consult
your dentist.
Dentures are
no longer the only way to restore a mouth that has
little or no non-restorable teeth. Strategically placed
support, or implants, can now be used to support permanently
cemented bridges, eliminating the need for a denture.
The cost tends to be greater, but the implants and
bridges more closely resemble the "feel"
of real teeth. Dental implants are becoming the alternative
of choice to dentures, but not everyone is a candidate
for implants. Call your dentist for advice.
Courtesy of the Academy of General
Dentistry (www.agd.org)
Back
to mature adults
|
