A denture is a removable prosthetic device used to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues. It is typically made of acrylic, metal or a combination of both materials. They are worn to restore function and appearance, and removable to allow cleaning and at night for the gums to rest.
Why Would I need a denture?
Teeth might be missing for different reasons, such as: injury, trauma, dental decay, gum disease and we were born with missing teeth. Dentures can be worn to:
- Improve the appearance of your smile if the gaps of the missing teeth are noticeable.
- Improve the appearance of your face filling your cheeks where there were previously sagging and giving you a lopsided, sunken appearance.
- Support the teeth or jaw either side of the gaps to prevent tilt or movement.
- Help with chewing and eating your food.
- Improve the ability to make certain sounds when speaking.
- Replace large gaps where dental bridges are not recommended.
- Gradually replace teeth adding these to the dentures due to gum disease or fractures.
- As a temporary denture before an implant treatment or the permanent denture.
What materials are used to make a denture?
There are two types of dentures, partial denture or complete denture. Complete dentures are used when all teeth in a person’s mouth are missing. Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain in the mouth. The dentures can be made of different materials:
Acrylic denture: Suitable for partial or complete denture. Acrylic is made of a pink plastic-type material simulating your gums. This type of denture fits around your gums and on the upper arch, along the roof of your mouth to give more retention due to the gravity force. Sometimes a resin or wipe clasp can be added to them to grip into your natural teeth to provide more retention. Acrylic is a good strength material but can fracture if too thin or worn down. They can easily be repaired within 24 hours and new teeth can be added in future if required.
Metal-Framework denture: Unlike Acrylic dentures, chrome cobalt or titanium dentures have a rigid metal-alloy structure with integrated claps to grip into your teeth. The metal-ally is very durable and strong, meaning these dentures can be made thinner, smaller and stronger than the acrylic dentures so they will feel less bulky in the patients mouth. Fracture of the denture is rare and normally occurs to accidentally drops. If required, new teeth can be added on this denture.
How long does it take to be made?
It can take between 3 and 5 appointments.
- On your first appointment, your dentist will take an upper and lower impression of your mouth. Further impressions could be required in following appointments to obtain a more accurate impression and therefore a better fit.
- During the following visits, your dentist will record how your bite is, the size and colour of your teeth and check the denture fit in a wax model before the last visit (fitting appointment).
- Fitting visit: We will check the fitting once more and make some adjustments if necessary. We will give you instructions on how to place in and remove your denture, we will also give you some aftercare instructions on how to best look after your dentures.
- New dentures are like new shoes, some extra appointments may be required to do minor adjustments as the patient may feel uncomfortable or could develop some mouth ulcers.
