Last updated date: 08-Nov-2023
Originally Written in English
Complete dentures are here to help, ready to fill in where your natural teeth previously did (and thanks to your teeth - they did an excellent job). It is really what aesthetic dentistry can do. However, now that your natural teeth have passed away, it is time for the full denture to take over. So, what exactly are full or complete dentures, and how can they boost your confidence?
A denture is a removable substitute for missing teeth and gums. There are two kinds of dentures: full dentures and partial dentures. When all of the teeth are lost, complete dentures are utilized, whereas partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.
What is Complete Denture?
A complete denture (also known as a full denture, false teeth, or plate) is a removable prosthesis that is used when all of the teeth in a jaw have been removed and must be replaced prosthetically. In contrast to a partial denture, a full denture is made when there are no more teeth in an arch, making it a tissue-supported prosthesis. Natural teeth, a partial or complete denture, permanent appliances, or, in rare cases, soft tissues can all be used to oppose a complete denture.
Causes of Teeth Loss
Over the previous few decades, both the prevalence and incidence of tooth loss have decreased. People keep their natural dentition for a longer period of time. Despite this, there is still a high need for complete dentures, since more than 10% of persons aged 50 to 64 are entirely edentulous, with age, smoking status, and socioeconomic level all being important risk factors. Tooth loss can occur for a variety of causes, including:
- Dental caries.
- Periodontal disease.
- Congenital disorders (e.g. dentinogenesis imperfecta, molar incisor hypomineralisation).
You're also more likely to lose teeth if you:
- Are male.
- Above the age of 35.
- Smoke or use tobacco products.
- Suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.
- Have diabetes or hypertension.
- Do not receive expert dental cleanings and examinations on a regular basis.
- Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, applying fluoride, and rinsing with mouthwash are all examples of poor dental hygiene.
Who is a Candidate for Dentures?
Dentures are an option for men and women who have lost a considerable number of teeth. False teeth are not determined by age, but rather by the state of your teeth.
It is also critical to retain enough jawbone structure and healthy gum tissue. False teeth require natural tissue support to stay in place for an extended period of time.
People aged 65 and over are the most likely to get fake teeth.
Types of Denture
1. Complete Dentures:
Full dentures are another name for complete dentures. They are complete tooth replacements.
Before suggesting complete dentures, most dentists will try to salvage at least some natural teeth. However, if all other treatments have been explored, full dentures are typically required.
These dentures are totally tailored to mimic the form and appearance of real teeth. They also help with mastication (chewing), albeit not to the same extent as real teeth. Denture users often have one-fourth to one-fifth the mastication efficiency of people who have natural teeth.
Dentures are constructed of acrylic resin and are solely supported by hard and soft tissues that remain. They are not as stable as natural teeth or dental implants that are embedded in the bone.
With total dentures, many people suffer speech difficulties. This is due to the thickness of the material covering the palate and the new prosthesis's neuromuscular control of the tongue and cheeks. Significant thinning of the acrylic will result in fractures over time. Some people become accustomed to it over time, while others do not.
The elderly are the most popular candidates for full dentures. Young patients may be eligible in rare situations. This is only true if they lost all of their teeth due to an accident or serious tooth decay.
- Restores eating and chewing.
- Improves self-esteem and confidence.
- Maintains a fuller, more youthful appearance.
- Requires maintenance like relines and repairs.
- Retention of lower dentures declines over time.
- Can slip out of place when speaking or eating.
- A lisp may develop.
2. Partial Denture:
A removable partial denture or bridge is often made up of replacement teeth affixed to a pink or gum-colored plastic base, which is occasionally held together by a metal framework that maintains the denture in place in the mouth. When one or more natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw, partial dentures are utilized.
A fixed bridge replaces one or more teeth as a dental crown on each side of the gap and attaching false teeth to them. This "bridge" is then firmly fixed in place. A partial denture not only fills the gaps left by lost teeth, but it also protects other teeth from shifting position. A precise partial denture is detachable and is held in place by internal attachments rather than clasps that attach to neighbouring crowns. This appliance appears more natural.
3. Temporary Dentures:
Temporary dentures, often known as instant dentures, are dentures that may be placed immediately after your teeth have been extracted. They are an alternative to help you get by while you wait for your new permanent dentures to be fitted. You may resume eating your favourite meals without placing undue strain on your natural teeth.
Your dentist may prescribe them to assist ease your mouth into wearing dentures or if you've previously had trouble with sensitive teeth or gums. Temporary dentures, by minimizing the pressure on your remaining natural teeth when eating, allow your mouth to heal without requiring any substantial adjustments in your lifestyle. Your dentist will take measurements and models of your teeth ahead of time so that your dentures are ready to wear while your jaw heals.
- Durable due to the underlying metal framework.
- Easily removable for cleaning.
- Don't break easily.
- Maintain the structural integrity of your mouth (prevent teeth shifting).
- Can only be used to replace some missing teeth.
- Prone to plaque buildup if not cleaned properly.
- May have some metal clasps that show when smiling.
4. Flexible Dentures:
Flexible dentures are a type of partial denture, although they are built of materials that are different from traditional partial dentures. In contrast to the thicker, more rigid acrylic used in complete dentures, most flexible dentures are comprised of a thin thermoplastic such as nylon.
Flexible partial dentures may provide a more comfortable fit than conventional detachable partials, especially if you're still getting used to wearing dentures. Furthermore, most partial dentures are built with metal pieces that might occasionally be seen. Because flexible dentures do not include any metal components, they seem and feel much more natural.
5. Fixed Bridge:
A fixed bridge is used to replace lost teeth by surgically gluing an artificial tooth, known as a crown, to either side's remaining natural teeth. Fixed bridges, like other medically fixed dentures, like as implants, implant-supported dentures, and snap-on dentures, are more expensive than removable dentures.
6. Snap-In Dentures:
When it comes to stability, they are the best option. They are secured securely in place by dental implants or anchors attached to the existing teeth.
The locator attachments embedded into the tissue side of the denture are what distinguishes them. The locator attachments are designed to snap onto the implants or the locator receptors. This implies they are portable and removable (like partial dentures).
Snap-in dentures are typically utilized when a patient lacks a tooth but has adequate bone to accommodate an implant.
An overdenture is a prosthesis that fits over-retained roots or implants in the jaws. Compared to conventional complete dentures, it provides a greater level of stability and support for the prosthesis. The mandibular (lower) jaw has a significantly less surface area compared to the maxillary (upper) jaw, hence retention of a lower prosthesis is much more reduced. Consequently, mandibular overdentures are much more commonly prescribed than maxillary ones, where the palate often provides enough support for the plate.
- Stable and robust.
- Won't loosen while speaking.
- Good chewing ability.
- Comfortable, custom fit.
- More aesthetically pleasing and natural-looking than traditional dentures.
- Invasive surgery.
- Increased treatment time.
- May require a bone graft or sinus augmentation to support the denture implants.
- Attachments can become loose and require tightening.
8. Implant-Supported Fixed Dentures:
Although an implant-supported overdenture is not suitable for the short-term transitioning stage into conventional full dentures, it is an alternative that should be considered for the final treatment due to the better stability and retention of such dentures.
Despite problems, the success rate of dental implants is well established, with rates topping 98 percent in 20 years for mandibular front teeth. When compared to traditional removable prostheses, the use of a two-implant supported overdenture in the mandibular (lower) edentulous jaw is currently regarded the first option of therapy, with patients reporting a considerable improvement in quality of life and improved patient satisfaction.
- Improved aesthetics.
- Patients typically feel more secure with fixed (permanent) dentures.
- Stronger than removable false teeth.
- Consistent tooth positioning and better bite.
- Requires surgery.
- Cost is higher than removable dentures.
- More difficult to keep clean (requires special floss).
9. Immediate dentures:
When clearing the dentition is the only realistic therapeutic option, immediate dentures can be made prior to extractions and fitted after the teeth have been extracted, all on the same day. Such dentures aid in the restoration of masticatory (chewing) function and aesthetics while enabling the soft tissues to recover and bone levels to stabilize before making the final complete dentures.
- Restorative aesthetics and masticatory function.
- Allow for adaption time while the patient adjusts to their new dentures.
- Psychosocial benefits.
- Following extractions, the wound region must be protected.
- Allow the doctor to transfer the jaw connection and beauty of natural teeth onto instant dentures. If immediate dentures are not given, such knowledge will be lost upon tooth extraction, preventing later "guesswork."
Unpredictable fit and aesthetics - Because dentures are made before all of the teeth in a jaw are extracted, there is some guesswork involved in tooth placement and the fitting surface of the denture.
Prostheses have a limited lifespan and are frequently relined - when the tissues heal following extractions, the alveolar bone begins to resorb, causing the tissues to retreat. As a result, immediate dentures will require some amount of care, such as fit surface relines and/or occlusal adjustments.
Complete Dental Care
Plaque accumulation on fake teeth can cause bone loss, foul breath, and stomatitis (inflammation of the soft tissue lining inside the mouth).
- A fungal infection known as oral thrush is another risk factor for poorly maintained dentures.
- Brush the dentures gently with a gentle denture brush and liquid soap without microbeads (not toothpaste) at night to eliminate plaque.
- Removable dentures should be held over the sink with a small towel while brushing. If they fall, this washcloth will function as a cushion. False teeth frequently shatter when dropped into the sink, on the counter, or on the floor.
- Soak them in a commercial denture-cleansing liquid overnight. In the morning, brush them again and wear them throughout the day.
- They can also be soaked overnight in diluted white vinegar to eliminate or prevent the development of calculus. Full-strength vinegar is acidic and can cause acid erosion on the surface of the teeth.
Cost of Dentures
Most dental health insurance policies cover at least a portion of the cost of dentures.
According to Carefree Dental, the cost is determined by the type chosen and individual insurance policies:
Temporary (immediate) denture.
Partial removable denture.
Implant-retained denture (overdenture).
Will Eating with New Dentures be Difficult?
Eating with new dentures will require some practice and may be painful for some wearers for a few weeks. Start with soft meals chopped into small pieces to get acclimated to your new denture. Slowly chew with both sides of your mouth.
As you become adjusted to your new dentures, gradually introduce more foods until you return to a regular diet. Be wary with hot or hard foods, as well as sharp-edged bones or shells. Also, stay away from meals that are particularly sticky or firm. You should also refrain from eating gum while wearing your denture. Also, when wearing dentures, avoid using toothpicks.
Will Dentures Change How I Speak?
Certain words may be difficult to pronounce after obtaining dentures. If this is the case, try pronouncing the difficult words loudly. You will acquire accustomed to speaking properly with dentures with practice and patience.
How Do You Clean Dentures?
Dentures should be cleaned with a liquid soap free of microbeads rather than toothpaste. They are quite abrasive and can damage dentures.
Brush the dentures gently with a gentle denture brush to eliminate plaque. Soak them overnight in a professional denture cleanser liquid.
Brush them again before inserting them in the morning. To eliminate calculus, soak them overnight in white vinegar diluted with water. Full-strength vinegar is overly acidic and can cause acid erosion, which can destroy teeth.
When Should I Visit My Doctor?
After you've gotten used to your new dentures, schedule routine check-ups with your dentist at least twice a year. The same is true for patients who do not have dentures.
What Do New Dentures Feel Like?
At first, your dentures may feel thick and unpleasant. This is typical and will improve with time as you acclimate.
During the first two weeks, many patients have difficulty speaking, chewing, and eating.
Excessive salivation is also common.
When Should You Repair or Replace Dentures?
Over time, false teeth develop discoloured (just like natural teeth). If your dentures chip or crack, a small repair may be all that is required. If they break, you must replace them as soon as possible.
Should I Use a Denture Adhesive?
Under the following conditions, a denture adhesive may be considered:
To improve satisfaction with a well-made denture. Adhesives improve retention, stability, biting force, and a person's overall sense of security.
Individuals with dry mouth disorders that reduce denture adhesion, such as those using cold drugs, those with neurological problems, including strokes, and the elderly, can benefit from this device.
To offer stability and security for persons who put unique demands on their face muscles, such as public speakers or musicians.
Dentures (false teeth) are synthetic substitutes for missing natural teeth. Some dentures replace a few lost teeth. Others replace complete teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues. Dentures are often used to replace missing teeth.
There are several basic reasons of tooth loss: Periodontal disease (most common), Tooth extraction, Poor oral health, Severe tooth decay, Certain hereditary illnesses, facial or jaw injuries.
Face muscles might droop as a result of missing teeth. Dentures are designed to fill out your face profile and enhance your appearance. They also make it easier to eat, chew and communicate on a regular basis.
The different types of dentures include:
- Complete (full) dentures replace all missing teeth, gums, and tissues.
- Partial removable dentures replace some missing teeth.
- Fixed partial dentures replace some missing teeth.
- Implant-retained dentures provide an anchorage for the teeth to connect to when in the mouth.
- Implant-supported dentures are similar to implant-retained dentures but can only be removed by a dentist.
- Immediate dentures allow for tooth extractions and denture installation on the same day.