Doing Nothing!

Generally people do not care if they lose a tooth due either to disease or trauma unless it is visible while smiling. But if you ignore a missing tooth this may lead to health problems in your long term oral and possibly medical health.

Since there are many options available to replace individual teeth this means that there are many appealing ways to restore your smile. But what happens when you have lost (or are losing) many teeth? At this point you may be confronted by the option of having to get false teeth.

This can be a very unappealing alternative to many people and something you may wish to put of dealing with! Unfortunately the long term health implications are extremely unappealing as your gums are not strong and are susceptible to medical conditions such as periodonatal disease.

First the good news is that the need for dentures in the United States has gone down significantly in recent years because more people are taking care of their teeth and are receiving better dental care.

The bad news is that if left untreated the decay of your gums and supporting tooth structure can affect your physical appearance and your ability to chew or bite your food.

Types of Dentures

There are several different kinds of Dentures:

Partial denture: An appliance replacing one or more missing teeth.

Complete denture: An appliance replacing the natural teeth when all of them are missing.

Overdenture: A denture covering at least one tooth or prepared root.

Implant denture: A denture supported on abutments surgically implanted into the jaw.

Immediate Dentures

To avoid the situation of being without teeth after your extractions have been performed an "immediate denture technique" may be used to help control any swelling and aid in the healing of your extractions.

Generally impressions of your natural teeth are taken prior to the procedure and dentures are fabricated based on a likeness to your natural teeth or to whatever shape the you desire.

To maintain the best fit and comfort, a temporary liner or "tissue conditioner" may be placed in the denture. This helps stabilize the healing process and at this point Dr. Hubbell can then create your new permanent full denture.

 

Holding Dentures in Place

So what keeps your denture in place?

The upper denture is held in placeby suction with the palate. The saliva helps this in the same way that a rubber suction cup works. Persons with dry mouths often have problems holding their dentures in place as there is little saliva.

The lower denture is held in place by gravity and the muscles of the tongue and cheeks. Older persons tend to have problems with lower dentures as their muscles are weaker and cheeks slacker, this reduces the force which can hold the denture in place. The ridge which the denture sits on is reduces in size with age and provides less of a grip for the denture.

The Post Dam

Most dentures have a ridge along the back which presses slightly into the palate, this form a seal so that the denture acts like a sucker. The concept is similiar to that of a sink plunger or a childs dart with suction cup.

Partial Dentures

Depending on the teeth remaining in your oral cavity, partial dentures may be completely tooth supported, tissue/tooth supported, and implant/tissue supported.

Partial dentures can be constructed out of a metal and acrylic composition or completely out of acrylic. The design process involved in creating a removable partial (denture) is specific to the patient’s needs. Every effort is made to design a self-cleansing partial denture that preserves the remaining teeth and oral structures.

When a partial denture is designed, the denturist acknowledges that chewing places a strain on the remaining teeth during eating. Partial dentures are designed with this in mind so that the chewing forces can be distributed evenly over the entire remaining teeth and soft tissues. Design modifications to your remaining teeth may be required to help equalize these forces.

Metal partials are considered stronger structurally, thinner and more hygienic than an acrylic partial. Acrylic partials are usually recommended as a transitional or temporary partial. Your denturist will determine the appropriate treatment plan and the appropriate partial for you.

A removable partial denture may help preserve the natural tooth placement of your existing teeth. They ensure proper chewing and digestion by thoroughly grinding your food. A properly designed partial denture will assist in support of your existing teeth. A removable partial denture will add enjoyment to your life.