Dentures are removable dental appliances that replace missing teeth. Unlike dental implants and dental bridges, which are more or less permanently affixed to the bone, dentures are prosthetic teeth attached to a supporting structure. Dentures can be removed at night, for cleaning, or whenever desired. The most affordable dentures are those made with traditional plastic prosthetic teeth, but even more expensive porcelain cosmetic dentures usually cost less than implants.

There are two main types of dentures: full or partial.

1. Full dentures

Full dentures are for those patients who have lost all of their natural teeth in the upper or lower jaw, or both. Full dentures restore confidence in one's appearance, and help the wearer to speak and eat normally.

Conventional Dentures are those that are placed once the bones and gums have healed after the removal of natural teeth. While there is a waiting period that can be frustrating, the dentures normally fit right the first time, since the new shape of the mouth and gums has been established. Conventional dentures are also the most affordable dentures option.

Immediate Dentures, as the name implies, are placed as soon as the natural teeth are removed. With immediate dentures, the patient need not face the world without teeth, can eat normally much sooner than with conventional dentures, and does not have the speech problems associated with the normal denture process. However, since healing of the gums and jaw will change the fit of immediate dentures, the patient will typically need a new set in about six months.

Natural Looking Cosmetic Dentures - Instead of traditional plastic prosthetic teeth, natural looking cosmetic dentures are made with modern ceramic porcelain teeth. The dentures are usually individually crafted, and look more like real teeth than the plastic variety. Cosmetic dentures also have a more natural looking support structure, and though they may cost a bit more than conventional dentures, they are truly difficult to distinguish from real teeth.

2. Partial Dentures

For those who have lost some teeth, but don't want to get dental implants or bridges, partial dentures are an affordable option. Removable partial dentures are held in place by natural teeth, gums, and a connective structure made of plastic and metal.

Overdentures secured with implants

For those who want more stable and comfortable denture alternatives, dental implants and dental bridges may be an option. Implants are similar to dentures, in that they are prosthetic teeth used to replace natural teeth, but they are attached to the jaw by means of metal studs implanted permanently into the bone. This type of denture is referred to as an overdenture.

Denture procedure:

Denture fabrication from start to finish normally takes about one month to complete depending on the difficulty of the case. Several appointments at the dental office are necessary. The initial appointment is diagnosis and treatment planning. An impression or dental mould is then taken of existing teeth and/or existing tissue structure. For partial dentures several retentive features are placed in existing teeth called rest preps and are used to retain the denture. The second appointment is a "wax try-in" appointment. What this means is wax is constructed in accordance with the existing tissue structure and used to establish a bite registration. The wax is heated and a natural bite is established taking into account proper vertical dimensions and jaw position. The third appointment is the "teeth try-in" appointment. This appointment insures proper teeth alignment, colour, shape and fit. The final appointment is delivery of the denture with minor adjustments as needed and instructions given.

Getting used to denture

All denture users require some time to get accustomed to the denture. Features to get accustomed to are teeth alignment, speech and facial expression. The length of time to get used to a new denture is patient specific but could take up to eight weeks to fully adapt to the new appliance.

Maintenance        

Proper maintenance is important for a longer life span of the denture. Regular removal and brushing of the denture with conventional toothpaste is required on a daily basis. For partial denture users, tooth brushing of existing teeth should be a daily home regimen. It is advised to remove your denture at night and keep it in a wet environment. Research has shown that keeping the denture out of the mouth at night allows tissues to heal and normal stimulation of saliva to flow. Do not sterilize your denture as the boiling water will distort the denture. Continue seeing your dentist on a regular basis so that your dentist can examine for oral disease or sore spots. Adjustments may be necessary as bone under the dentures shrink over time due to pressure from the denture. Denture adhesives will not alleviate an improper fit as it could cause further bone loss.