DENTURES
A denture or a complete denture, as it is often called, is an appliance that is inserted in the mouth, replacing natural teeth and providing support for the cheeks and lips.
What is a denture made of?
Most dentures are made of acrylic and can be fabricated two different ways. The teeth are made of plastic, porcelain, or a combination thereof.
What are the different types of dentures?
- A conventional denture is made after all teeth have been extracted and the tissues (gums) have healed.
- An immediate denture is fabricated and inserted immediately after the teeth are extracted and the tissues are allowed to heal under the denture.
What is the difference between the top and bottom denture?
- An upper denture has acrylic, usually flesh-colored, that covers the palate (roof of the mouth).
- A lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to leave room for the tongue.
Do I still need to go to the dentist if I don’t have any teeth?
Regular dental examinations are still important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissues can be checked for disease or change and radiographs can be taken when needed to check the bones.
Over a normal course of time, dentures will wear and need to be replaced or relined in order to keep the jaw alignment normal. The alignment will slowly change as the bone and gum ridges recede or shrink due to the extraction of the teeth.