What are complete dentures? Who needs them?

Complete dentures are artificial teeth along with the denture base and designed to restore the appearance and teeth functionality. In addition, they also help with occlusion, oral function, and word pronunciation.

How do complete dentures work?

The dental base of complete dentures is the foundation of artificial teeth and is used to restore soft and hard tissues. When a person with complete dentures eats food, the biting force is exerted from artificial teeth through the denture base to the oral mucosa and bone tissues.

As tooth support cannot be obtained, the denture base covers a bigger area of the oral mucosa, compared to removable partial dentures. Unlike removable partial dentures, there is no need to use connectors with complete dentures because there is no necessity of space to install a major connector onto the complete denture and minor connectors are not used because of the absence of any healthy abutments.

Hence, complete dentures retain their position by sub-pressure and adherence to the underlying tissue. Sub-pressure is exerted only if the complete denture’s base is attached closely to oral mucosa and a quality peripheral seal is applied.

Do complete dentures remain stable in the mouth?

Before a dentist prescribes complete dentures, they assess the effects of oral hard and soft tissues on the retention ability. Otherwise, dentures may not remain stable if there is large tuberosity, sharp bone apexes, or hyperplastic oral mucosa. Sometimes, an oral operation is also needed to resolve such issues before applying complete dentures to increase the retention of complete dentures in the mouth.

Retention of complete dentures is reduced significantly if:

  • Jawbone has been absorbed and become narrow and flat
  • The initial elasticity and thickness are substantially reduced in oral mucosa

In such cases, additional implants might be used to ensure that complete dentures remain in their place.

How long do complete dentures last?

Usually, complete dentures are made of composite resins. However, due to their low strength and poor aging properties, they don’t last for long.

Improved properties are available in complete dentures that are made of metal materials, such as pure titanium or titanium alloy denture bases. However, they are more expensive and that’s why complete dentures made of composite resins are more popular.

Another alternative is to use complete dentures with a base made of composite resin but reinforced by prefabricated metal meshes or metal wires embedded inside the resin. This alternative is considered a good compromise between price, quality, and longevity.

Who needs complete dentures?

Complete dentures are recommended when all teeth are missing in a person. So, it is suitable for only those people who have lost most or all of their teeth. One can have a complete denture on the upper or lower jaw or both.

Getting complete dentures on time is essential because bones and gums can shrink over time, adding complexity to the treatment. The complete denture that is fitted right after teeth removal is called an immediate denture. And the full denture that is fitted after the healing period is called a conventional denture.

If you or someone in your family has lost all of their teeth due to aging, an accident, or some disease in Valdese, book an appointment to see if complete dentures in Valdese are the right solution to restore appearance, functionality, and smile.

Things You Should Know Before Getting Partial Dentures

A smile is the fountainhead of positive energies. Not only you but the people around you feel positive when you have the most pleasing smile. However, having a missing tooth can ruin it. In addition, it can shift the place of other teeth and make your bite imperfect. If you have lost one or more of your teeth, partial dentures have your back.

Whether you already lost some of your teeth or are about to get tooth removal, you can get partial dentures to fill the spaces. They cost less than the full dentures and can quickly restore the aesthetics of your mouth. Partial dentures also prevent weakening of the other teeth and overuse of one side of the mouth. Plus, with partial dentures, you can smile confidently.

How Partial Dentures Work

When the patient still has some healthy gum tissues or teeth, partial dentures are used to provide the required support for missing tooth. Before fitting them, dentists first examine your mouth to assess the size and shape of partial denture you need and determine whether you need removable partial dentures or fixed partial dentures. Then, they fix custom-made dentures to resolve your missing tooth problem.

Advantages of Partial Denture

One of the most amazing features that the partial denture offers is that it is a non-invasive form to restore your smile. Removable dentures can simply slide into the place and then be removed again whenever you want. You don’t need to have anything inside your gum to make them work.

Partial dentures are considerably more affordable than other procedures to restore the missing teeth. They help to maintain the structure of your jaw and mouth.

They intend to enhance your smile and make you feel confident once again. With partial dentures, it becomes easy to chew, speak and bite. They are easy to get used to as most of the patients take 1-2 weeks to do so.

Aftercare for Partial Dentures

  • Most people prefer removable partial dentures as they are easy to clean and comfortable. They can last long if you keep them in good condition.
  • The way you clean your natural teeth, partial dentures need to be cleaned at least twice a day. However, it’s best to clean them after every meal. You can clean them with a soft-bristle brush using the denture cleaning solution prescribed by the dentist.
  • Keep them with extra care as they can break easily. Clean them over a bowl or towel to ensure the soft landing in case you drop them.
  • A person’s mouth needs a break from the dentures. Hence, the wearer should remove the dentures before going to bed and soak them overnight to help them retain their shape.
  • After a while, dentures may break or stop fitting to the wearer. The solution is consulting a dentist because only they know the right solution.

There is no need to stay with a gap between your teeth. Consult your nearby dentist and opt for the best partial dentures to fill the gap between you and your confidence.