Dentures

A denture or a complete denture as it is often called, is an appliance that is inserted in the mouth, replaces natural teeth and provides support for the cheeks and lips.

Types of dentures

  • A conventional denture is made after all teeth have been extracted and the tissues (gums) have completely healed.
  • An healing denture is fabricated and inserted immediately after the teeth are extracted and the tissues are allowed to heal underneath it. Following at least two month of healing, a conventional denture is made for long-term use.

What are dentures made of?

An upper denture has acrylic that covers the palate (roof of the mouth).  A lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to leave room for the tongue.  The teeth are made of plastic, porcelain or a combination of both.  Dentures can be fabricated to fit over endodontically treated teeth and a complete denture can be attached to dental implants to allow for a more secure fit of the appliance.

Considerations

Dentures over a normal course of time 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. Regular annual dental examinations are still important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissues can be checked for disease or change.