A denture consists of artificial gums and teeth that work like natural teeth. The surface supporting the false teeth looks like a natural gum line and is made from a flexible polymer material. Dentures are recommended to patients for replacing the damaged or missing teeth. Besides restoring the chewing ability, they also help in bringing the lost smile back.
Different denture options
How many types of dentures are there? Dentists can recommend either full or partial denture, depending on the patient’s dental health. Both partial and full dentures are available in permanent or temporary types.
Full dentures for the upper and lower jaw can be appropriate for individuals who have lost most of their natural teeth. They are removable and can last for up to ten years if the patient cleans them and maintains oral hygiene.
Partial dentures are meant to replace one or more of the individual’s natural teeth. Dentures are also available in the form of a strip or bridge consisting of artificial teeth that fit in the space between the existing teeth.
Your dentist may install a fixed bridge or cantilever bridge along with implants as a support for full/partial dentures. Implant supported full dentures are reliable, stable, and fit perfectly.
In case of severe jawbone loss, the dental care expert may recommend hybrid dentures that involve replacing gum tissue as well as missing teeth. Such dentures can restore a person’s ability to eat almost everything. The fully functional artificial denture looks very aesthetic and offers support to the jaw.
What are permanent dentures? Why are they more popular than other options?
Permanent dentures are also known as dental implant dentures, snap-in-dentures, and overdenture dental implants. Simply put, these are a set of prosthetic teeth attached to a framework that fits perfectly on the dental implants (screws) placed in the jaw. An individual can chew, bite, eat and drink without worrying about prosthetic (false) teeth becoming loose.
Permanent dentures installation procedure
The procedure may require the participation of multiple dental professionals like a general dentist, periodontist, and oral surgeon.
As the first step, your dental care expert would conduct an oral health examination and recommend getting 3D x-rays for certain portions of the jawbone. The results would help in determining the positions for implant placements in the back as well as the anterior part of the jawbone.
Then, the professional would complete the procedure of taking moldings for dentures.
Depending on the strength of the patient’s jawbone, two to four implants (titanium screws) are placed in the upper/lower jaw as a part of the snap-in denture. Implant screws are placed and allowed to heal for a few weeks. Later, the overdenture unit created in the lab is attached to these screws. It remains tight, secured, well fitted, and removable for easy cleaning.
A custom-made partial or full denture is made according to the impression taken by the dentist.
The dental surgeon needs to remove the remaining parts of natural teeth and give enough time to the jawbone for healing, reshaping before fitting the denture structure. So, the gums may need a few weeks to even a month or more to heal. During this healing period, the dentist places a temporary denture on the gums so that the patient can chew food.
How long do dentures last?
Dentures can last for a minimum of five to ten years. Their lifespan depends on the patient’s eating, drinking, and oral hygiene habits. The size of the jawbone and mouth can change with time. Thus, timely repair or realignment can ensure dentures last longer. It is advisable to opt for annual dentures evaluation to check for wear and tear.
Pros and cons of implant supported dentures
Implant supported dentures offer stability for individuals who face issues while speaking and eating with conventional dentures that slip at times. Implants inserted in the gums help in retaining bone mass. These screws also help in recovering overall jawbone support as well as lost lip support.
On the other hand, wearing conventional dentures cannot improve the lost jawbone support resulting due to teeth loss.
Placing implants requires surgery, and the overall treatment cost is on the higher side. However, in the long run, implant support dentures prove cost-effective.
There are specially designed removable implant support dentures available for patients who do not wish to keep a denture in their mouth while sleeping. Overall, implant supported options offer more advantages than conventional ones.
Difference between dentures and implants
The dental implant procedure involves removing the complete structure of a damaged or decayed tooth. The root is replaced with a titanium screw and a crown that works as the visible part of the tooth. The procedure is expensive and involves surgery.
On the other hand, Dentures consist of artificial teeth attached to a frame that can be placed on the jaw or attached to the screws implanted in the jawbone. Such devices are the best option for people who have lost their teeth due to a motor vehicle accident or sports injuries.
The denture structure is removable and can be cleaned. On the other side, dental implant teeth are more like permanent teeth that cannot be removed.
Dental implant teeth can be perfect for patients who have minimum damaged teeth and wish to retain their natural root structure as much as possible.
A specially designed removable denture that rests on the gums without any implant or attachment to the jaw is ideal for patients who do not wish to undergo even minor surgical intervention required for implants.
Need to handle with care
Artificial teeth need to be cleaned daily to ensure tartar; plaque does not build up and damages the existing parts of gums further. Most of the denture fixtures are removable and can be taken out to be cleaned in a unique solution.
Depending on the denture material, you can also use a soft brush to clean them. Remember, dentures are delicate and need to be handled, cleaned as per the dentist’s instructions.
Choose the best dental office
The dentist can determine the best option only after examining teeth and 3D scans. The price and procedure vary according to the type of denture selected. Just make sure you opt for a dental clinic that has earned a reputation as the best place to get dentures made.
If you plan to use your insurance coverage to cover costs, check the insurance plan’s regulations for restorative coverage, waiting period, the number of dental professionals in the network, etc.
Do you wish to opt for a long-term solution to replace your damaged or lost teeth? If so, please call us for an appointment at Roswell (GA) based TruCare Dentistry and know about the best suitable denture options.
FAQs
What types of dentures are best?
Depending on the missing teeth, you should get the denture to restore the structure and function of your mouth. For instance, partial dentures are used when there are natural teeth remaining in the upper or lower jaw. Some of the common types of dentures include,
- Complete full dentures
- Immediate dentures
- Implant supported dentures
- Snap-in dentures
- Overdentures, and so on
What is the average cost of dentures?
The average cost of partial dentures can be up to $3000, where a complete set of dentures can cost up to $5000. It’s better to consult your dentist and find the type of denture you require, and get the cost estimation.
Are dentures really that bad?
Absolutely No! Dentures are much assistive to restore the function of your mouth while having missing teeth. Dentures improve facial appearance and give you a perfect smile. If you get the dentures with high-quality material, there shouldn’t be any problem for you.
Is it safe to sleep in with dentures?
Yes, you can, but it is advisable to remove dentures before you go to bed. Removing dentures while sleeping allows your gums to relax from the pressure of the denture.
Can you kiss with dentures?
Why not? Dentures do not prevent you from kissing; however, initially, you should be careful not to kiss so hard.
Can I get my teeth pulled and dentures on the same day?
Yes, you can! In fact, getting dentures right after tooth extraction can give your natural smile back. However, let your dentist take the decision for teeth extracted and dentures on the same day to prevent further dental complications.
What is the average age for getting dentures?
It varies from person to person. For instance, if you have missing teeth due to injury, you can have a partial denture at any age. Nonetheless, people usually have complete dentures by the time they get near in their 50s.
Does wearing dentures shorten your life?
Not at all! In fact, having dentures improves your health as you can consume the diet (hard to chew) without restrictions. With dentures, you can easily chew food and improve the digestion process.
Can you eat pizza with dentures?
Initially, you should avoid hard to chew food. But once you get habitual to eating with dentures, you can start eating food like pizza.
Can you bite into an apple with dentures?
You may find it difficult to bite whole apples; however, you should eat an apple by slicing it into smaller pieces.