A Brief, Easy To Understand Guide To Dentures

If you’ve lost one or more teeth, one of the most popular replacement options are dentures. But what are dentures exactly?

In the brief, easy to understand guide below you’ll get the basic information you need to understand what dentures are, when they are a good option, what are they made out of and a few more key nuggets about them. You won’t find the answer to one of the most common questions about dentures though which is “What do dentures cost?”. We address that question on its on in another article you can find here.

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are fake teeth. They are used to replace teeth that have fallen out. Dentures generally not considered a permanent replacement option like dental implants. Also, unlike dental implants, dentures are easily removed from the mouth and can be put back in again at will.

Another important thing about dentures is that they look pretty real. For a decent quality denture, most people are going to have no idea you have any fake teeth when you smile while wearing your dentures.

Dentures are not just for looks. They can solve oral health problems too. One way they do this is by helping to keep the correct structure in your mouth. In this way, they make it easier for you to eat and talk.

Do Dentures Feel and Function Like Regular Teeth?

When you first get dentures, they may feel weird. Many people who get dentures feel this way when they first start wearing dentures. They may cause some minor irritation. And it may be challenging to eat and talk with your dentures in. This is all very common and usually isn’t any cause for alarm. It just takes a little time to get used to them. After the “break in” period you probably won’t even notice them. They will feel and function just like real teeth. If you do have any discomfort that doesn’t seem to be going away, be sure to let your dentist know.

Different Types of Dentures

Dentures is a catch-all phrase that refers to a few different varieties of dentures. The different types of dentures are:

The different types of dentures available are:

Conventional Full Dentures

This type of denture is used after any old teeth are removed from your mouth. When teeth are removed, the gums tissue may be raw and require some time to heal so you may need to wait a little while before wearing your dentures. So you may need to go without teeth for some time while waiting for the gums to heal.

Immediate Full Dentures

For immediate full dentures, no waiting is required. The dentures are put in right after any teeth are removed. Though they may need to be adjusted down the road once the gums/jawbone heals.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures rest on top of your real teeth. In this case, the real teeth act as anchors for the dentures. This type of denture rests on top of your natural teeth. They basically act as anchors for your dentures.

What Are Dentures Made Of?

Dentures are usually either made out of an acrylic resin or porcelain. Acrylic resins hold up pretty well to wear and can last for 5 years or more. Porcelain dentures are typically more resistant to wear but are more fragile so are more prone to chipping or breaking.

Dentures also require some regular maintenance and have to be cleaned well on a regular basis. Also keep in mind that you may have to restrict your diet when wearing dentures as there are certain foods that don’t mix well with dentures.