What are Dentures?

Dentures are a replacement for missing teeth. There are two types of dentures; partial and complete. Partial dentures replace only a few teeth and prevent the other teeth from shifting their position. Complete dentures are used when a person loses all of his or her teeth and would need a full set of dentures. Both types of dentures are removable and are generally made of metal and acrylic resin, which is an almost plastic-like material that is casted to fit the precise shape of a person's mouth. Denture teeth are made from a plastic resin or porcelain. Porcelain denture teeth are the most natural looking.

Dentures must fit properly in your mouth and shouldn’t require denture adhesive. The only reason you would use a denture adhesive in some cases is when you have a lower denture that is extremely difficult to keep in place. It takes time to train your muscles and your tongue to keep a lower denture in place. With all the modern technology in dentistry and the falling cost of dental implants, it is advisable to have a few implants done to let the denture sit on them comfortably, instead of using dental adhesive. One of the most popular implant option is the “Mini implant”. Mini implants are inexpensive and very effective in improving the fit of the denture. The best part is that you can wear your denture right away and not wait the long healing time of traditional implants.

Dentures require the same care you would give your natural teeth. Brush and clean your dentures every day. Food particles sit on the dentures, which if left unclean, will encourage bacteria to form into plaque. This in turn forms into calculus, making your dentures turn yellow. Dirty dentures tend to cause a person to get a yeast infection on the gum tissue where the denture rests.

If you are new to dentures, you may feel slightly uncomfortable for the first few weeks. However, once your muscles and tongue learn to hold your dentures in place, you will feel quite comfortable. As with every new product, there is a transition period, but if you experience any irritation, do not hesitate to contact your dentist.

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