Dentures Dentures are a restoration treatment for people who have lost all of their teeth or even those who are just missing a section. Tooth decay and damage are common issues, especially in older patients. Teeth wear down over time and dentures help to give you the function and look of natural teeth. There are different types of dentures you can use, depending on how many teeth you are missing, though the process is similar for each. We can guide you through this at Leavenworth Family Dental.Denture MaterialsThere are two main components of the denture - the teeth and the gums. The teeth are typically made of resin or porcelain. Though resin tends to be the cheaper option, porcelain is often preferred. It has a translucence that mimics natural teeth, it is stronger than resin, and it is easier to adapt to. The gums on dentures are usually made from acrylic resin, nylon polymer, or chrome cobalt metal. Metal is the strongest, but it cannot blend with natural gums, so it is often used for partial dentures that are hidden by natural teeth. Complete Dentures Process and CareComplete dentures are made for patients who have lost all of their teeth. There are two types of complete dentures. Conventional complete dentures are made following a tooth extraction, while the gums are healing. A mold is made following the healing, which is used to create the denture. This process may take up to 12 weeks, but these typically fit better than immediate dentures. Immediate dentures are made in advance and can be worn on the same day as tooth extraction. However, these often need to be adjusted over time as the gums heal from the extraction and change shape and size. When you take out your dentures, you should store them in water or a denture solution. Also, wash them with soap and lukewarm water. Do not use hot water as it can damage the material. Also, remember to keep your gums clean so that no bacteria get trapped under the dentures when you wear them. Partial Dentures Process and CarePartial dentures can also be immediate or conventional as in the case of complete dentures. They can also be fixed or removable. Fixed partial dentures, also called dental bridges, are structures that attach to adjacent teeth for support. We hold them in place permanently using dental cement. Alternatively, you can get removable partial dentures that have internal attachments to hold in place using adjacent teeth and these tend to look more natural. Like with complete dentures, removable partial dentures should be washed daily and soaked when not in use. For natural teeth and fixed partial dentures, you can use the same basic oral hygiene methods that you normally would. This includes flossing daily and brushing two times per day. For either type of denture, you may need to use a denture adhesive to hold it in place as well. Make sure you wash this off of your gums and the denture when you remove it for the day. Call Leavenworth Family Dental at 913-682-1550 for further information on denture options. |
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