Most people are familiar with the concept of dentures. Even if it’s just the image of an older person dropping a set of false teeth into a glass of water on their nightstand before they go to bed, dentures are something most people are aware of. However, a lot of people don’t know much beyond that and often have a lot of questions about them. This is especially true if your dentist has suggested that dentures might be right for you. Here you will learn what dentures are, why they might be necessary, and what the process of getting them is like.
What are dentures?
Simply put, dentures are artificial teeth and gums. They are created by your dentist and formed to your mouth in order to replace lost or removed natural teeth. They can either be full or partial. This means that they will either replace all of your teeth on either the top or bottom gum line, or they will just replace a few teeth that are missing. No matter what kind of dentures you require, they will always be custom fitted to your mouth and matched to your existing teeth. Dentures are typically made from hard resin which is more fragile than your natural teeth, meaning that you may need to replace your dentures with a new set every five years or so.
When are they necessary?
There are a number of reasons why you may require dentures but, at their root, they all involve the potential for your natural teeth becoming damaged or lost entirely. If you are suffering from chronic toothache that cannot be solved with a filling, those teeth may need to be removed and a partial denture may be required. The same applies to gum disease or even trouble eating certain kinds of food. It’s also possible that you may require dentures because your teeth are becoming looser over time and your dentist recommends that they are removed and replaced entirely.
The process of getting dentures
Most of the time dentures are fitted as soon as your teeth are removed, meaning that you won’t have to go without teeth for any time. This isn’t always the case as your gums will sometimes need to heal and alter in shape before dentures can be fitted. Your dentist will take impressions of your mouth from which the set of full or partial dentures will be made. This will initially be a trial denture that is used to assess the fit and appearance which can be adjusted before the final denture is produced.
It’s a mistake to assume that dentures are something that only older people require. Sure, older people are more likely to need them but dentures can be incredibly positive and helpful for anyone who requires additional support when it comes to their oral health. Whether you’re partially or completely replacing missing or broken teeth, dentures can be incredibly useful. Make sure that you get in touch with us and one of our friendly and qualified staff members will help guide you through the entire process from start to finish.