A DENTURE IS a removable appliance used to replace missing teeth. People often refer to it as a "plate". There are two main types - complete and partial dentures.
Complete dentures replace all missing teeth and may be inserted at time of teeth extraction (immediate dentures) or may be inserted after all the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed.
Persons electing to wear an immediate denture have the advantage of not being without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums shrink in the first six months after removal of teeth. When gums shrink, immediate dentures become loose and require relining to fit properly.
Removable partial dentures consist of replacement teeth attached to a framework of acrylic or a combination of acrylic and metal. The partial denture that has a metal and acrylic base is referred to as a cast partial denture.
Partial dentures have metal clasps that attach to your natural teeth. Some partial dentures are less obvious as they use precision attachments for retention in the mouth. Crowns are placed on the natural teeth to accommodate the precision attachments.
DENTURE FACTS
Persons wearing a denture for the first time will notice that the saliva flow increases initially but after a short while returns to normal. When anything enters the mouth the brain assumes that it is food and the digestion process begins. After a while though, the signal to produce saliva for digestion will cease as the body becomes accustomed to the addition in the mouth.
Persons who have been without teeth for a long time will feel as if the tongue is extremely confined after receiving dentures. In the absence of teeth the tongue spreads out and has to be trained to stay within the confines of the denture. Therefore, initially the mouth will feel crowded but this will pass quickly.
A new denture will have to be adjusted, as minor irritations and soreness are present initially. One or more follow-up appointments with the dentist are generally needed after the denture has been delivered.
Generally, dentures should not be worn overnight as the underlying tissue requires at least eight hours to breathe. The one exception to this rule is the first few days of receiving a denture where the dentist may require you to wear the appliance for a 24-hour periods to easily identify sore spots and aid in adjustments of the dentures. Failure to remove the appliance for an adequate length of time will result in sores that may ultimately lead to tissue degeneration and oral cancer.
Good oral hygiene is very important with denture wearers. The gums and tongue should be brushed daily and the denture should be brushed on the teeth side as well as the base. Inadequate cleaning of the mouth and the denture will lead to cavities in remaining teeth and odour-forming bacteria on the denture. Improper cleaning of the denture will also cause discoloration.
Dentures are fragile and break easily. When taking out and putting them in, it is best to do so over the face basin filled with water or over a soft surface so that in the event that they fall, the water or soft surface will prevent breakage.
When the dentures are not in the mouth, they should be stored in a clean container filled with a water-base solution. This solution should be changed daily to prevent the accumulation of bacteria. Do not store your dentures in tissue paper or paper towels. Many dentures have found their way to the garbage that way.
Learning to eat with a denture may be challenging at first, but with practice, you will become accustomed to it. Cut food in small pieces and chew on both sides at the same time. This practice will aid in balancing the appliance in the mouth. Avoid chewing bones and ice.
Regular visits to the dentists will allow the professional to ensure that the appliance is not ill-fitting, the health of the remaining teeth and soft tissues in the mouth will be ascertained, as well as the state of your dental health.
Although the dimensions of the dentures remain the same, the supporting bone under the gum does not, therefore, over time dentures have to be re-made to fit new bone structure. The longer one has been without teeth, the less bone will be there for support. In general, the upper denture fits more securely than the lower denture, as there is more surface area for retention. Bone implants can assist with the retention of dentures, especially lower dentures, for someone who has been without teeth for a long time.
Take good care of your teeth. Nothing works as well as that which God gave you. However, should you have missing teeth a removable partial or complete denture can help you to regain your youthful smile, chew your food properly and speak more clearly.
Jamaica Dental Association, jdatoothtalk@
hotmail.com
