The loss of teeth, for whatever reason, can severely limit your quality of life. Without teeth, the jawbone deteriorates and your facial muscles begin to sag, giving you an aged appearance. When this happens, not only does your diet suffer, but so does your ability to communicate coherently. Fortunately, there is a way to deal with tooth loss. Even though missing teeth can't be regrown, modern dentistry has provided solutions to restore them and make them appear as if they were never gone. Dentures are just one example of such solutions.
Tayani Dental Group has dental specialists who take pleasure in creating dentures that fit comfortably and look just like real teeth. Contact us if you need denture placement in Fullerton, California, or the surrounding regions.
An Overview of Dentures
Dentures are sometimes known as false teeth. They are detachable artificial teeth designed to look, function, and replace your missing teeth. They are custom-made to precisely fit your jaws and rest comfortably on the gums with the support of the adjacent soft and hard tissues in your mouth.
Dentures can be crafted from different materials, such as metal, acrylic, nylon, porcelain, or even resin. Dentures can be made to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even all teeth, the gums, and surrounding tissues.
Tooth loss can be brought on by facial injuries, periodontal disease, or even just poor dental hygiene. Dentures can be a necessity for you depending on how many of your teeth are missing.
Loss of teeth can cause the facial muscles to droop. Dentures can help you look and feel better by restoring your smile and enhancing your facial structure. They also facilitate proper speech, eating, and chewing.
Types of Dentures
Although there is a wide variety of dentures available, most can be broken down into two broad categories: full/complete and partial. Patients with many missing teeth can benefit from partial dentures, while those with no teeth at all can use complete dentures. The following are some examples of the various dentures types that fall under both of these primary categories:
Conventional Dentures
These dentures can be produced and fitted when the gum tissues have healed, usually between 8 and 12 weeks after the teeth have been extracted. Your dentist will begin the process of fitting your new teeth by collecting several measurements and impressions once you have healed.
Immediate Dentures
In contrast to conventional dentures, immediate dentures are placed the same day that natural teeth are removed. Immediate dentures can be inserted immediately following your tooth extraction, saving you the trouble of waiting around for weeks while your gums heal.
When teeth are extracted, the bone and gums around them shrink as they heal. This means that, unlike traditional dentures, instant dentures require multiple modifications to provide a proper fit as the gums heal.
Immediate dentures are usually only considered as a temporary alternative before the dental laboratory can create conventional dentures.
Snap-On Dentures/Overdentures/Implant-Supported Dentures
These dentures rely on dental implants for support. When compared to other dentures, these are more durable. Your oral surgeon will surgically place six to four dental implants into the jawbone during the installation.
The dental implants then get time (often between three and six months) to osseointegrate, or fuse, with the surrounding bone tissues. When the implants have fully integrated, your oral surgeon places custom-made dentures on them.
There are two distinct types of snap-on dentures: those that are fixed or permanent, and those that can be removed. Removable snap-on dentures must be taken out for maintenance and cleaning, while permanent snap-on dentures must be removed by the dentist.
Different Types of Denture Materials
Earlier, we discussed the different materials that can be used to create dentures. The precise material that is utilized to build the denture framework will vary according to the kind of denture that you are getting.
For instance, a metal clip can be attached to acrylic bases for removable dentures, while acrylic or metal gum attachments can be used for complete dentures. Alternatively, nylon could be utilized in place of acrylic. However, each of these materials has benefits and drawbacks. Let's take a look at each of them.
Nylon
Dentures made from nylon are the most technologically advanced option. Dentures made from nylon have many advantages:
- In most cases, they will not result in allergic reactions
- Enhance the ergonomic benefits. Dentures facilitate proper speech and make eating much easier
- Dentures made of nylon are more durable and resistant to breakage since the material is more malleable
- They don't require any additional metal hooks for support. The built-in hooks help with easier adjusting of the dentures and add to their aesthetic appeal and realism
Metal
Both cobalt and chromium can be used in the production of dentures. Metal is used to create the base and teeth, while the gums are made of pink metal and the visible portion of the teeth are enamel-colored.
Metal dentures are compact and strong, and they fit easily into the gum. They last a long time and won't shift the rest of your teeth out of place. They cost more than acrylic or porcelain dentures, which is one drawback of these dentures. Therefore, you should only consider them if doing so won't break the bank.
Acrylic
Acrylic, a substance similar to gum, can be shaped and molded by your dentist to look and function like natural teeth. It's a go-to choice for denturists.
It's also much sought-after, particularly for removable dentures, but it can also be used for making complete dentures. Acrylic dentures are fastened to the gums using metal hooks. The dentures remain permanent and move in sync with the neighboring teeth.
Dentures made of acrylic last longer than those made of other materials. They're less expensive and lighter than porcelain alternatives. Although acrylic is durable, it is also prone to deterioration and needs to be replaced every 5 to 8 years.
Porcelain
This is a translucent substance that resembles glass and has a natural feel to it. It is therefore perfect for the more visible front teeth. To enhance their durability, porcelain dentures are heated.
However, because this is an abrasive substance, it cannot be used for removable dentures that come in contact with teeth when you're chewing. Since porcelain closely resembles tooth enamel, it is possible to match the denture colors to match your natural teeth. These dentures also resist stains and have a more natural appearance.
Unfortunately, these dentures cannot be repaired after they have fractured and are extremely sensitive to extreme temperatures, such as extremely cold or hot foods. It's also not a good option for people with bruxism (teeth grinding).
Repair, Replacement, and Adjustment of Dentures
Your dentist will make any necessary adjustments to your dentures during your regular checkups to ensure a snug and comfortable fit. Avoid making your denture adjustments or repairs.
Additionally, avoid self-bending the metal clasps or attachments because doing so could damage the metal structure. Over-the-counter glues could include toxic chemicals, whereas DIY repair products have the potential to permanently ruin dentures.
If your dentures do not fit correctly, they could rub against the gums and irritate the mouth. This can result in painful sores. If a denture breaks, chips, cracks, or becomes loose, make sure to notify your dentist. In many cases, they make the necessary adjustments or repairs quickly. If the repair is complicated, you will need to bring your denture to a specialized lab.
Dentures need to be rebuilt, rebased, and relined over time due to normal wear and tear as well as changes happening to the gums, jawbones, and face due to the natural aging process. To reline or rebase a denture, your dentist will either re-fit the old base or create a brand new one to fit the patient's gums and teeth. If cared for properly, a full denture will last for up to 7 years before it needs to be replaced.
Taking Care of Your Dentures
Dentures require special care to ensure their longevity and oral health. Here are a few tips for maintaining dentures:
Take Proper Care Of Your Dentures Whenever You Do Not Have Them On
Dentures must be kept moist to prevent drying out or losing their shape. Put your dentures in a denture cleaning solution or water when you're not wearing them. However, if they're fitted with metal attachments, they could become stained when placed in the soaking solution. You will receive instructions on what steps to take next from your dentist. Dentures should never be soaked in hot water. This could make them warp.
Use a Denture Cleanser To Clean Them
You can use hand soap or a gentle dish detergent. Stay away from household cleaners because they could be very abrasive. Additionally, refrain from using bleaching solutions as they could whiten the pink region of the dentures.
As an alternative, you might want to consider using an ultrasonic cleaner, a small cleaning tool that resembles a bathtub. As soon as you put the dentures in the tub, sound waves create wave motions that eliminate the deposits. Nevertheless, using ultrasonic cleaners does not take the place of brushing your teeth every day.
Maintain a Daily Routine of Brushing and Rinsing
Avoid using toothpaste because of its abrasive properties, which can cause small scratches that invite the accumulation of plaque as well as food particles. To remove food particles and plaque, you must clean your dentures every day just like you would your natural teeth. If you brush your dentures regularly, you can keep them from being stained. You should clean your dentures with a special brush made for that purpose, which has very soft bristles.
Avoid using brushes that have hard bristles because they could damage and wear out dentures. When brushing the denture's surfaces, do it carefully and take care not to deform the attachments and deface the plastic. You should also rinse your dentures after each meal.
Handle Your Dentures With the Utmost Care
To avoid dropping them, always handle them while standing over a full sink or basin of water or a folded towel.
What Benefits Do Cosmetic Dentures Offer?
If you are unhappy with your smile as a whole, below are a few reasons why you might want to consider getting cosmetic dentures as a solution to your problem:
Better Appearance
Regardless of whether you have stained, misaligned, cracked, missing, or chipped teeth, dentures can assist you in achieving a straighter, more appealing, and youthful smile. Modern dentistry and cosmetic dental services are highly effective in fixing a wide range of dental flaws. No matter what technique you use, you will grow to love your smile in time.
Improved Dental Health
Significantly misaligned or cracked teeth are more than just a cosmetic or dental concern. In actuality, having teeth that are misaligned or damaged can also have an impact on your overall dental health. Any injury to a tooth, whether it be a crack or a fracture, can lead to more complications in your oral cavity, including jaw pain and gum diseases.
Also, crooked teeth could result in similar issues in the mouth. Cosmetic dentures help you keep the gums and teeth in good shape by replacing damaged teeth with artificial ones.
Enhanced Self-Confidence
Do you think your smile lacks appeal because of the way your teeth look? This notion instantly lowers your self-esteem and makes you self-conscious. A lack of self-confidence manifests itself in subtle but noticeable ways, permeating every aspect of your demeanor and social life.
You can rebuild your self-esteem by getting certain cosmetic dental procedures done, including getting dentures.
Long-Term Results
Cosmetic dentures are a form of cosmetic dentistry that can have long-lasting effects on your appearance. The benefits of such kinds of dental procedures typically last for a long time, reducing the need for costly, routine maintenance.
If you would like to transform your appearance while still saving money, you can achieve this with the help of a skilled dental professional. Dental experts will help you create a personalized treatment plan based on their knowledge, experience, and recommendations.
Reduced Recovery Time
Getting dentures has several advantages, but among the most notable is the faster recovery period it offers. As a result, you can go back to having your regular meals and daily routine in just a few days.
Recovery from other procedures could take significantly longer, as much as one month, which is longer when compared to having a cosmetic procedure. However, other cosmetic procedures, such as porcelain veneers or bonding, might not require additional recovery time.
A Youthful Smile
Our teeth gradually begin to darken or lose their color as we age. The combined effect of certain stains from the foods and drinks that we eat every day, as well as the natural aging process, could cause your teeth to look older. Choosing dentures to replace your aged teeth will give you a reason to smile again.
Do Dentures Make Eating Difficult?
You will undoubtedly need some practice eating using the new dentures. Dentures can make it difficult to consume certain foods for the first couple of weeks. Expect to put in a lot of practice time during this period.
When you first get your dentures, you won't be permitted to have the majority of the things that you enjoyed eating using your actual teeth, for example, chewing gum. Smaller bites and chewing more slowly will help you adjust to the dentures faster.
You should begin by chewing gently while you adjust to how the dentures feel inside your mouth. Ultimately, you'll be comfortable taking larger bites like what you were used to.
Dentures can improve your quality of life, but you could realize that you must adjust your eating habits a bit. Hard or sticky meals could damage your new teeth, and hot or spicy foods can irritate your gums. If you give yourself time to adjust, you'll realize that it's no more difficult than it was using your teeth.
Do Dentures Hurt?
It's common to feel some slight irritation after getting new dentures, but this should subside as you get used to them. However, the duration of the discomfort varies. It can take longer for those who previously wore dentures and currently have another set.
How Long Should I Wear My Dentures?
Dentures should be worn constantly, even while sleeping, during the first several days. However, once your gums and mouth have adjusted to your dentures, sleeping with them in is not recommended. Taking them out at night allows your gums to rest and protects your oral cavity from additional problems.
Find a Fullerton Denture Placement Specialist Near Me
At Tayani Dental Group, we believe that everybody deserves a smile that will enhance both their appearance and self-confidence. If you have missing or damaged teeth, dentures can be used to restore your confidence and smile. When you visit our dental practice to have your dentures fitted, we'll pick out a denture design that works best for you and meets your goals. We use advanced techniques that allow you to get the most out of your cosmetic procedure. Call us today at 949-741-0795 to speak to one of our specialists in Fullerton, California.
