Full Dentures (False Teeth)
Tooth loss
Tooth loss can occur from trauma, decay, gum disease (periodontal disease) and other conditions. Losing teeth can affect an individual's psychological health as well as distort esthetics, phonetics and functional occlusion.
According to the American College of Prosthodontists, more than 23 million adults are fully edentulous (toothless) and about 12 million are without teeth on one arch!
The negative consequences of missing teeth include significant changes to your nutrition, obesity, diabetes and heart disease. In fact, studies report that older adults with impaired dental status are at risk for malnutrition due to the inability to chew properly. This limits the quality and variety of foods in which they can eat and therefore can limit the intake of vital nutrients in their diet.
Full dentures are a popular way to restore your teeth when you choose not to have dental implants or do not qualify to get dental implants. Generally, dentures are made after all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw have been lost or removed, and the gum tissue has healed.
Traditional Dentures
Full Dentures for the Edentulous Patient:
(Missing All Teeth in Either the Upper or Lower Arch)
Traditional dentures are removable, and do not use implants. Traditional dentures include an acrylic base that is custom-made in the dental laboratory to mimic the appearance of natural gums, and this base sits over the gums, holding the denture in place. A complete (full) denture is made after all the teeth in the upper and/or lower jaw have been removed and the gum tissue has healed. Denture paste or adhesive is often to used to assist in holding the denture in place. Removable dentures can be removed and cleaned when not being worn.
Partial Dentures for the Patient Missing Multiple Teeth in One Arch:
A traditional partial denture is a removable solution for replacing many teeth in one arch when there are still some natural teeth present. In this case, the acrylic base will also contain some metal attachments that wrap around the existing teeth for added support. Partial dentures can also be attached to crowns on either side of the denture. Removable partial dentures can be removed and cleaned when not being worn.
Implant Supported Dentures
Implants can be used to anchor dentures in place, allowing for a smaller base and less shifting of the prosthesis during use. Implants can support both full and partial dentures as well as both fixed and removable dentures.
What are dentures?
Removable dentures are for patients who have lost all of their teeth in one arch due to trauma, tooth decay, infection, or gum disease. When properly fitted, dentures can improve the ability to eat and speak and prevent the hollowing out of the cheeks caused by loss of tooth/muscle support.
A full denture contains artificial teeth set in a hard acrylic base that is created to replicate the gum tissue. The acrylic base is custom-made in a dental lab. This denture base rests on the gums in the mouth in order to hold it in place. Dentures are molded and customized to your gums and bone and made to look and function like natural teeth.
The advantages and disadvantages of removable dentures
Removable dentures are designed to be removed for easy cleaning. The key to removable dentures is getting the proper fit. The goal is to restore the ability to eat the foods you choose comfortably, speak clearly and improve facial appearance.
When you lose teeth, bone in your dental arch changes shape. Poorly fitted dentures can slide out of position from bone changes or when eating hard, chewy or sticky foods. Adjustments may be needed to restore proper fit and improve the comfort of your dentures.
What is the process to get dentures?
First you will have a consultation with Dr. Trombetta who will evaluate your gums and bone, and discuss your options for full dentures. Once you decide to proceed, the next step is to have impressions taken.
Accurate dental impressions are essential to the creation of a well-fitting denture. Several sets of impressions will be necessary. The goal is to fabricate a denture that preserves soft tissue and bone, provides good stability and retention, and creates patient approved esthetics.
Dental impressions are taken with trays filled with dental impression material. The impression is used to create a plaster cast of your mouth. The correct anatomical relationship between the upper and lower jaws is recorded and reproduced in the lab. Artificial teeth are selected based on shade, size and surfaces that reproduce the smoothness and regularity of natural teeth. Artificial teeth are made of acrylic resin and shape is chosen based on the patient's sex, facial structure, and build. The finished product is fitted and adjusted with the patient.
Dentures can positively change your life. They can improve confidence at work, in life and in love. They also improve diet, digestion, and oral hygiene. When you or a loved one has missing teeth, tell them about Marana Dental Care in Marana Arizona. Dr. Nicole Trombetta, DMD is a kind and compassionate dentist who will treat you with respect and give you the information you need to make informed choices about your care.
Resources
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/275484/us-households-usage-of-dentures/
- https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/dental-health-dentures
- https://medlineplus.gov/dentures.html
- Watson S, McGowan L, McCrum LA, Cardwell CR, McGuinness B, Moore C, Woodside JV, McKenna G. The impact of dental status on perceived ability to eat certain foods and nutrient intakes in older adults: cross-sectional analysis of the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2008-2014. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2019 May 14;16(1):43. doi: 10.1186/s12966-019-0803-8. PMID: 31088468; PMCID: PMC6518671.
- https://www.gotoapro.org/facts-figures/