A denture or a complete denture as it is often called, is an appliance that is inserted in the mouth, replaces natural teeth and provides support for the cheeks and lips.
Types of Dentures
- A conventional denture is made after all teeth have been extracted and the tissues (gums) have healed.
- An immediate denture is made and inserted immediately after the teeth are extracted and the tissues are allowed to heal under the denture.
The teeth are made of plastic, porcelain or a combination of both. A complete denture can be attached to dental implants to allow for a more secure fit of the appliance.
Over the normal course of time, a denture will wear out and need to be replaced or relined in order to keep it fitting well and looking natural. After losing teeth, the remaining bone and gum ridges in our mouth recede and change shape. When this happens, dentures often become loose and difficult to keep in place. The teeth become worn out after years of use and no longer maintain the height of our jaws and cheeks. Loose dentures can often be stabilitzed with dental implants. Regular dental examinations are still important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissues can be checked for disease or change.