Dentures are removable dental appliances that replace missing teeth in the upper or lower jaw. These custom-made replacements are designed to look natural and function properly. If you have a sunken facial appearance, sore gums, or difficulty pronouncing words, it could be time to consider dentures.
Whether you have conventional full dentures Glendale AZ or precision partial dentures, they will need to be cleaned daily. This will prevent bacteria, plaque, and tartar from causing damage to existing teeth and gum tissue.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures offer patients who have missing teeth a less invasive and less expensive restoration. These restorations can improve chewing and speaking and help to preserve the positioning of healthy remaining teeth. In addition, patients can easily remove their partial dentures for cleaning, which helps to prevent a buildup of bacteria and may reduce the risk of tooth decay in surrounding healthy teeth.
Typically, removable partials Glendale AZ are made from acrylic resin or Valplast. This material is a flexible plastic that can be molded to fit the shape of the gumline. They are attached to a metal framework or clasps that provide strength and stability. The framework is often made of a lightweight but durable metal such as titanium or a nickel-free cobalt-chrome alloy called Wironium.
Before fabricating a removable partial denture, dentists or prosthodontists will take x-rays of the mouth to evaluate the health of remaining teeth and the structure of the jawbone. During the exam, they will take note of any tooth remnants that may be causing sore spots or creating tension in the edentulous ridge, such as root tips and sharp bony areas.
Full Dentures
If you have lost all your natural teeth, full dentures can provide you with an improved appearance, better speech and increased chewing strength. They also prevent remaining teeth from shifting and help keep your gums healthy.
To make your dentures, the dentist first takes an impression of the upper and lower arches of your mouth. These will be used to create a stone model of your mouth and to determine the relationship between the upper and lower jaws. During this process, the dentist will also record your bite and select the shape and color of the denture teeth and gums.
Your new dentures are a custom fit to your mouth, so they may feel uncomfortable at first. Practicing proper oral hygiene and storing your dentures correctly will help reduce discomfort and irritation. It is also important to remove them at night to allow your gums to rest and to prevent rubbing and sores.
Emergency Dentures
Tooth loss is devastating to a person’s ability to chew and speak, but more importantly it often leads to self-esteem issues. Quality-made and realistic-looking dentures can help a patient feel more confident again, and they can be anchored to implants for even better stability and comfort.
Conventional dentures Glendale AZ are applied after the removal of teeth, but immediate dentures allow patients to avoid going weeks without teeth. The dentist takes a mold of the mouth before the extraction and then fabricates a denture to fit the shape of the gums after the tooth loss, which eliminates the need for healing.
Partial and complete dentures are made to fill in gaps from missing teeth. This helps the mouth chew more thoroughly and prevents a face that droops, which makes people look older. These appliances are also used to replace missing teeth if the remaining natural teeth are too fragile for a dental bridge. Partial dentures are held in place by metal attachments, while full dentures are held with a dental glue.
Denture Maintenance
Dentures offer a great solution for those who have lost many or all of their teeth. They replace both the missing teeth and the surrounding tissue and can dramatically improve appearance and make it easier to eat and speak.
Like natural teeth, dentures need daily care to keep them clean of plaque, food particles and bacteria. Cleaning products specially made for dentures are available from your dental professional. It is recommended to brush both the inside and outside of your dentures, using a large nylon denture toothbrush with round-ended bristles. It is also recommended to soak your dentures overnight in a commercial product such as Efferdent or Polident.
A complete denture can be either conventional or immediate. Conventional dentures are prepared after the remaining teeth are removed, while immediate dentures are fabricated prior to tooth extraction. The benefits of immediate dentures include the ability to eat and smile almost immediately after treatment, without having to wait for healing or suction to occur.