Missing teeth are quite common due to aging, teeth are also lost due to accidents, trauma to the mouth, tooth decay or due to medical conditions. Dentures offer an effective solution to those who have lost teeth, teeth replacement can be done for a complete set of teeth or partial depending on the need of the person.
Advancements in this field of medicine help to create dentures that mimic natural teeth in their structure, colour and function. This will reduce the anxiety and shyness that people feel when they wear dentures. They can regain their self-confidence with no speech problems and regain their appearance and continue with their normal lifestyle despite losing teeth.
Placing dentures requires few consultations with the dentist. The number of sittings will also depend on the oral/medical condition of the person, the presence of other underlying dental issues etc. The dentures whether partial or complete will be made after the impressions are taken in the clinic and developed in the dental labs. This is also followed by adjustments made during consultations after the dentures are tried on.
Different types of dentures
There are different types of dentures available to suit the different needs. There are complete dentures, partial dentures are the main types. The partial dentures come as both fixed and removable types. If the teeth are replaced by dentures on the same day they are removed, then immediate dentures are used.
One of the high-end dentures that are an exact copy of natural teeth are the custom dentures and the other side of the spectrum is the economy dentures. There is snap in dentures as well as over dentures and upper dentures. Depending on the type of teeth lost and the requirement of the person dentures can be chosen from the vast variety of dentures.
Dentures help with oral structure and function
When teeth are lost, be it one or many, the absence creates a change in the dental structure. The facial muscles are supported by the teeth and when that support is lost, they will sag. This affects the function as well, and teeth are not able to carry on with their function of chewing. In the case of partial dentures, when the dentures are placed, they provide support to the neighbouring teeth by their presence.
Along with the support to the neighbouring teeth, the gum tissues are also given support by the dentures. The shape of the mouth is restored, and the sagging of the facial muscles is also removed. Oral and dental health is preserved by this and the whole dental structure can continue to function as before.
Alignment of teeth
Teeth can be lost due to tooth decay, gum diseases, aging or any other reasons. When teeth are lost, there is a space vacant, and the neighbouring teeth will shift towards the space available. When this happens, the alignment of the teeth is lost. Along with the shift in the alignment of the teeth, there will also be extra pressure on the remaining teeth. Moreover, the remaining natural teeth will not be able to perform their role properly due to the shift in position. When dentures are placed, the sliding of the teeth to the space will not happen. All the teeth remain in their respective position and oral health is maintained.
Wear and tear of teeth
When teeth are lost, the bulk of the function of the teeth is shared among the remaining teeth. This will result in more stress and strain on the remaining teeth. This can result in more pressure on the teeth and create more wear and tear on them. This can bring in teeth damage and a reduction in the efficiency of the teeth. When dentures are used, the extra pressure on the natural teeth is removed and the pressure will be shared among the teeth equally. This will help in restoring the health and function of the teeth.
Nutrition
For a good healthy body, nutritious food is needed and nutritious food can be absorbed if there is a proper chewing and digestive system. When teeth are lost, the chewing function of the teeth is compromised. This will affect the nutrition absorption from the food. When dentures are placed, the chewing functions continue without any obstructions. Good nutrition is absorbed from the food and helps builds a healthy body. Good dentures help support a good general health as well.
Caring for Dentures
While placing dentures is possible through good dental service provided by a dental clinic. But after placing dentures, to ensure the above benefits are received, they should be maintained properly. Dentures are replacement teeth and care for them should also be like caring for natural teeth. Dentures should be cleaned or rinsed daily after consuming food. This will help to remove any food particles that are stuck in them.
After initially getting adjusted to wearing them, dentists will suggest removing them and soaking them in water overnight. They should not be dried up as this will affect the quality and in turn the function of dentures. There are certain solutions available that can be used to soak dentures. Dentists will be able to provide suggestions on the best products that can be used. Along with this, it is important to have regular consultations with the dentist.
Dental consultations will help the dentist in foreseeing the potential dental problems that can arise. The consultations will be used to check the dentures, their positions, how they perform etc. If there are any issues regarding the dentures, they can also be checked during the consultation. The general oral and dental health of the person will also be checked during the consultation.
Conclusion
If you find yourself in a position where you need dentures, don't worry, because the dentures that are available today significantly restores the appearance and functionality of your teeth and mouth. If you need more elaborate teeth replacement options, there are also dental implants, bridges etc. that you can consider.
Fix an appointment with your dentist to go over the most suitable option for you.