Patients who have a gap between their teeth or missing teeth may recognize dentures as a potential solution to that problem. But is there anything they should know about getting new dentures?
If that sounds like you, you're in luck. Which denture treatment options are available? What should you know about dentures? Stick around as we walk you through denture appointments.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are false teeth made of acrylic, nylon, or metal. They replace missing natural teeth to help with gaps between teeth and teeth loss, which many people face.
Such complications can result in difficulties with eating and speech and teeth growing at angles. Also, the signs you may need a denture are:
- Tooth decay
- Bone loss
- Periodical disease
Tip: If you already have dentures, have them checked every couple of years as your gums shrink over time making the dentures feel loose
Types of Dentures
There are two main types of denture treatments.
Complete Dentures
As the name implies, complete dentures or full dentures are when you have no upper or lower teeth.
Complete denture solutions can be customizable, assuming the shape of your natural teeth. Their main advantage is improved mastication. In other words, they enable you to grind, crush, and eat food normally or semi-normally.
Immediate Dentures
This immediate or temporary dentures are made before your teeth are extracted by taking one mould of what you currently have. From this the lab will produce a denture that closely mimics what your smile should look like. This way, you don't have to go without teeth after your teeth are removed and during the healing process. Accordingly, immediate dentures are convenient but they are a guesstimate of the contours of your gums and will be loose.
Your gums and bones will shrink the most during the first 6 months after tooth removal and will continue to remodel over time.. As a result, the change in your gums will affect the fit of your immediate / temporary dentures as each week goes by, and it'll require you to reline it after several months. More commonly people have final or conventional dentures made after healing.
Conventional Dentures
These are usually made over a series of appointments, 8 to 12 weeks after your teeth are removed so the bone and gums have a chance to remodel and heal over. It starts with initial impressions, which custom trays can be made from, to take a second more detailed mould at the second appointment. It is also at the second appointment the orientation of your upper to lower jaw is recorded so the lab knows where to put the teeth. At the third appointment, dentures with teeth set in wax are tried in for fit, aesthetics and speech. If all is satisfactory, the wax try in sent back for processing and a few days later you will have your permanent dentures. Over the next couple of weeks as you try them out, you’ll be able to see where the sore spots are so they can be adjusted.
Partial Dentures
For patients who are missing a tooth or more, removable partial dentures (RPD) are a solution. They're fake teeth with a plastic, gum-coloured base. Their goal is to provide teeth's texture, function, and natural appearance.
The denture is secured in place with the aid of small metal clips that hold onto your remaining teeth keeping it secure.
Walk-Through of the Process
You may have an idea of how denture services unfold, but let's unpack them more. For one, the dentist determines the type of appliance you need in the first consultation or appointment.
That may be a complete denture, partial denture, or something else, such as implants and implant dentures. Afterwards, the stages of a first denture program are:
Dental Impressions
A mould of your mouth captures its contours and indentations. Accordingly, it enables the dental clinic to create a custom-made denture for you. The clinic takes measurements of your mouth and the space between your jaw.
Models
The office creates wax or plastic models to construct dentures on. They are a reproduction of the shape of your mouth and used to get an idea of what the dentures would look like in your mouth.
Fittings
Fittings are used to measure the height, size and orientation of your dentures. You will be able to try them in to see how you like them. It is at this time, adjustments can be made until you are happy with the aesthetics, fit and function before the dentures are processed in plastic. Once the dentures are finalized, some denture adjustments may be made to ensure your dentures have:
- Correct bite
- Suitable fit
- Pleasing aesthetics
Moreover, you'll be given instructions to maintain long-term oral health with your new teeth.
What Will My New Dentures Feel Like?
At first, you might find your new denture loose or strange, which is normal. Don't be alarmed by minor irritations, sore spots, or increased saliva flow; they'll subside once your mouth adjusts.
In weeks, the muscles of your cheek, tongue, and jaw will hold them in place. Not to mention, you'll get used to removing and inserting your denture.
Tip: When you remove your dentures, keep them in water or a polythene bag with dampened cotton wool.
Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Dentures?
Each patient will have to contact their dental insurance providers for that. Generally, most full dental insurance policies cover about 50% of the cost of dentures.
What We Offer
At Emergency Dental YYC, we offer all sorts of denture care and repairs, including complete dentures and partial dentures. So, we'll give you that dazzling Hollywood smile one way or another!
You can be at ease knowing that we're always there. We're available 365 days a year for a consultation with extended hours.
Our team is fully qualified and trained to give you the best denture care. So, what are you waiting for? Call us at 587 351 2243, or email us at [email protected] for any oral health consultation. Please fill out our online form, and we'll get in touch shortly.