Many patients today have lost some or all of their teeth and will ask their dentist to fit them with dentures. There are generally two types of dentures that people may have installed.
The first kind of denture is called a conventional denture. These conventional dentures may be “immediate dentures” if they are made on the spot after the removal of the teeth. Conventional dentures may also be made after healing has taken place in the gums following the removal of the teeth, depending on the patients needs.
Many times after the removal of the teeth, the gums and jaw line will recede necessitating a refitting of the dentures later on. These conventional dentures offer patients many benefits such as the ability to chew food and improve speech in a patient that was previously unable or troubled in doing so.
The second type of denture is called a removable partial denture. These dentures are made of a replacement tooth or teeth that are fitted to a gum colored or natural looking plastic base with metal framework. The removable partial denture is clipped to other teeth using metal clasps or precision attachments. Dentures using metal clasps simply clip to other teeth, although the metal clips are not completely invisible.
Dentures using precision attachments are invisible and may benefit from the installation of a nearby crown to offer better support and improved aesthetics. Removable partial dentures that use precision attachments are generally more expensive that dentures using metal clasps.
Anytime a patient is fitted with either type of denture, it may take time for them to get used to it as they may feel awkward or bulky.
However, after a period of time the wearer will become accustomed to it.
Anytime someone handles their dentures they should do so with care. If they are accidentally dropped, they can easily break so it may be ideal to work with them in an area that is padded in the event they are dropped. It is equally important to clean dentures daily with a brush that is specifically designed for them to remove the buildup of stains.
Overtime as dentures are worn, they may need to be adjusted. Bones and jaw lines change over time and dentures may need to be slightly altered. Make sure if your dentures need fixing or adjusting you see your dentist as doing so yourself can result in various problems.
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