What are Dentures?

Whether you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, due to gum disease, tooth decay, or injury, getting dentures can help improve your appearance and overall health. Dentures are helpful in chewing food and speak better and may also improve the look of your smile. Let us understand what these dentures are, what type of care they need, and how dentures can enhance your overall oral health.

Dentures are nothing but false teeth made up of dental materials like acrylic, nylon, porcelain, resin, or metal that are used for effective replacement for your lost teeth or damaged teeth that have been removed. 

Dentures are either full that support a full set of plastic or porcelain teeth or partial that can support the number of teeth that need to be replaced. No matter what type of dentures you require, they can be personalized based on your requirement. 

What are the different types of dentures?

There are 6 most common types of dentures which are listed below:

• Partial dentures: As the name suggests Partial dentures are used when there is just a single tooth or a few sets of teeth are damaged. It is also considered a suitable option in cases where the neighboring tooth is not strong enough to give support to the dentures/dental bridges. 
• Classic partial dentures: These are partial dentures that are fixed to the part of the gum line that they will sit on, and fastened to the nearby teeth to prevent them from getting out of place. Classic partial dentures can be easily taken out when required as they are not fixed permanently for cleaning purposes.
• Complete dentures: These type of dentures are used to replace a complete set of teeth and provide you with a set of teeth. It sits on the ridge of the bone on top of the gum line. Complete dentures are perfectly held in place in the mouth by creating a vacuum suction or using oral adhesive to hold on. They can be easily removed when not in use and always to be kept in water immersed.
• Instant or Immediate dentures: These dentures are placed on the same day your dentist extracts your teeth. The denture is pre-prepared to save time. This means you don't have to wait for several weeks for your mouth to heal after your tooth extractions. As your mouth heals from extraction, the gums under the denture change and shrink. The denture will become loose within 2-3 months' time after which, a denture reline may help to correct this. These instant dentures can be easily disposed of when the healing process is finished, and when the time comes for your permanent dentures.
• Overdentures: It is a good alternative to the traditional dentures and in cases where an individual is left with only some natural teeth. Overdentures fit really well on the roots of your natural teeth, and remain semi fixed and are more comfortable to wear and use and it can be easily removed. 
• Dentures supported by implant: This type of dentures offer a good solution to those who have lost upper or lower teeth. Dental implants are replacement tooth roots that provide a strong foundation for a removable replacement Dentures. Dentures supported by implants constitute 3 parts, an implant, metal bar attachments and artificial teeth which look similar to the natural tooth. 

Why do you require dentures?

Dentures are beneficial to those who have troublesome teeth and want to get rid of them. Some other benefits of dentures are listed as follows:

• Dentures can make your smile intriguing and attractive in case you are embarrassed by your missing teeth. 
• It supports the surrounding structure of your teeth present around the lips and cheeks.
• Dentures allow you to chew on your favorite foods.
• Dentures are considered the best solution for teeth that cause serious pain and other oral issues like rotten roots or damaged teeth.

What is the procedure involved in placing dentures?

Denture treatment involves the following steps:

• Dental examination: Your dentist may examine your teeth, during your visit to the clinic. He/she may check for any signs of tooth decay, infection, or any previous dental work that might affect the denture process. 
• Evaluation: After examining the state of your oral health, your dentist will evaluate your gums and surrounding structures to bring out the best treatment strategy. Once your dentist has sorted out the right dentures for you, he will design an impression of the gums to make sure you get the perfect fit for your dentures.
• The dentist may then take the measurements of teeth to make a perfect mold for your dentures to fit perfectly.
• Once your dentures are ready, you will be called for fitting the dentures and in case of any issue, adjustments are made accordingly.
• Getting adapted to the dentures: It might take some time for you to get adapted to such dentures. But eventually, you may enjoy the same function of your dentures just like regular teeth.

What is the cost of dentures?

The cost of dentures varies depending on the time for fabrication, materials used, and experience of the dentist. Usually, it is around Rs.16000- Rs.48000 per set of dentures. 

How to take care of your Dentures?

Taking care of your dentures is essential for their long-term success. Make sure you follow the below care instructions

• Clean your dentures just like your natural teeth. Make sure there are no food particles or plaque attached to it.
• Brush your dentures after every meal .
• Soak your dentures in water when you're not using it or before going to bed .

You can find many highly skilled and Best dentists who can assist you in choosing the best dentures for you at MyDentalPlan.in - India's Largest Dental Network platform.

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About the Author:

Suprithi Choudhary, M.Pharm (Pharmacology) Medical Content writer

Suprithi is a Pharma Professional working as a medical content writer and previously worked as a Research Scientist and Senior Research Analyst

Education

• C.M Academy
• Attended the Panjab University- Chandigarh, Pharma post-graduate in Pharmacology

Special thanks to Dr Deepak Kulkarni, a dental surgeon with over 23 years of experience who proofread this blog. He graduated from the H.K.E's Dental College, Gulbarga, and has certifications in ACHS International Accreditation Education Plan; Advanced Rotary Endodontic - Restorative Continuum; and Leadership, Team Building and Customer Service Leadership from the Oscar Murphy International.