Dentures, or false teeth, can make people’s lives a lot easier by helping to boost confidence as well as function just as well as regular teeth, as there’s nothing worse than being restricted in what you eat due to your dentures.
There are, however, a few things you might not know about dentures, including what types there are, the process of getting them, and the benefits or drawbacks of each type of denture.
If you or someone you know might need dentures, it might be a good idea to see your options so you’ll have a good idea of what to expect, and it can help to alleviate any fears that you may have.
In this guide, we’ll break down each type of denture, show you the benefits and issues that could come with using one of these, and some tips to improve or maintain your oral health.
Read on to see how these solutions work and improve people’s lives.
What Is The Purpose Of Dentures?
This might sound like a simple question, but these prosthetics are made for more than improving your smile and can help people in terms of things like diets and speech, all of which can be affected by missing parts or whole sections of teeth.
You can get dentures that can replace all the natural teeth in the upper or lower jaw and partial ones which can fill the spaces left by missing or lost teeth.
These partial ones are normally fastened to your natural teeth with clasps or attachments, and full dentures might involve inserts or a complete attachment of fake teeth that are screwed into place.
You’ll find these helpful if you have sensitive teeth, tooth decay, or people without enough jawbone mass, or if missing teeth are becoming a severe problem for you in terms of your well-being.
The Types Of Denture You Can Get
Partial Dentures
These are convenient and one of the most common types of dentures that work by clipping to natural teeth to fill in any gaps left, and these can be custom-made as they need to be to fit correctly and can be mounted without any difficulty.
These are also a good option when you need natural-looking inserts that can be cleaned just like regular teeth, and you can have an insert per jaw rather than per tooth, which could become fussy over time.
One of the issues with these inserts is that it is possible that someone could see these fittings or clasps as the person is speaking, and as these are seen as a semi or fully permanent solution, there might not be a way to rectify this.
Complete Dentures
These are the most widely known types that replace a complete arch or row of teeth and fit nicely over the gums, and you won’t need much if any, adhesive to keep these inserts in place, and can be an excellent permanent solution that can help people with eating and speaking.
These solutions could take longer to fit as you might have to remove teeth or have your mouth measured before a mould is made to fit into your mouth.
This can cause the issue of leaving you without teeth for a certain amount of time, and your jaw can alter in shape, meaning you’ll have to get alterations done to ensure that the new inserts fit correctly.
Immediate Dentures
These are quicker solutions to complete dentures and usually are offered as soon as your teeth are extracted for the complete dentures to be made and inserted. These are provided to people who have no teeth for a considerable amount of time is going to affect them negatively.
These can be temporary or permanent solutions, as they can be used while the gum and jaw heal. In contrast, the permanent solution is being measured and made to that person’s specifications, but these inserts aren’t suitable or available for all.
You might also run into the problem of these coming loose more often as your gum and jaws change shape, and as these might not have been measured for, they could give you some minor fitting issues.
Flexible Dentures
These fittings are an option that can be used to replace a few teeth, where the fitting is cut to sit by your existing teeth and can be more accommodating while not needing any special fixtures, clasps, or adhesives to fit them into place.
The resin used on the mould matches the natural colour of your gums, so people aren’t going to notice as much when you speak, so over time, you’re going to appreciate just how durable these inserts are.
The only issue with these is that they’re not generally available in standard healthcare settings and might require a private dental healthcare provider to offer them, as they can be pretty expensive when paying for them.
Implant Dentures
If you don’t have the option of going for complete or immediate dentures and you want to offset some of the issues associated with these, you can go for these premium-like fittings that work by having a connection between the jawbone and the denture.
A set of titanium implants are set into your jawbone and act as roots which can fuse to the implants by a ball or bar set up, so you get a secure fit, and you may need fastening devices to hold it further in place.
You have the option of being able to remove these yourself, or only possible by your dentist, but there is some surgical intervention involved which could induce some temporary discomfort.
Removable False Teeth
Like immediate dentures, these can easily be inserted and removed, so when you have these inserted, you’re usually encouraged to leave them in for 24 hours after you’ve had them fitted.
The pain you experience from tooth extraction isn’t alleviated if you insert or remove these for some time afterwards, and there’s a good chance that these can move around more and become loose, making it difficult to have a varied diet as they’re not as sharp.
Another issue is that you’ll have to take them out to clean them, as this process can remove food or bacteria that may get stuck and gives your gums and mouth some relief for a short while.
Permanent Dentures
Known also as false teeth, these dentures can be affixed to the jawbone and are similar to implant dentures and are a permanent solution that can last around 5-10 years and can only be removed by a dentist.
These teeth are typically screwed in and rely on suction for the teeth to adhere to the gums, making them look more natural and don’t need to be removed for cleaning, but you should clean them as you would normally.
This option can be a very expensive option that isn’t available on the NHS and will require a private or finance option to fit these, as check-ups and examinations can add to this cost.
Bridge Dentures
These inserts are a variation of the partial denture and create a bridge with false teeth that replace one or more missing teeth and work by having a crown attached to either side of the bridge, with the crowns fitting over existing teeth to act as an anchor point.
An issue with these fittings is that they can only be fitted to treat one gap at a time and can only be removed by a dentist, so if you have any issues, you’ll have to wait for your next check-up.
As it can’t help with multiple gaps, you may feel this process to be more frustrating as your remaining natural teeth will need to be drilled into to make this denture hold better in place.
How Does The Process Of Getting Dentures Work?
Now you have an idea of what dentures are available, you’ll now have to go through the process of having your teeth examined, and the steps can be taken to fit and maintain your dentures, as this may differ depending on what type of dentures you have fitted or given.
Below is a breakdown of each stage and what you could expect to happen at each point.
Pre-Denture Examination
At this level, your dentist just wants an overview of how your teeth look and will see which ones are missing and what solution is best for your needs, and at this stage, you may be asked questions regarding your brushing schedule and your smoke status.
Being upfront about these aspects can better inform the dentist of any aspects, such as gum recession or bleeding, that could affect what dentures are offered at this stage.
Once this examination is complete, your dentist will look at your options and whether you need any surgical intervention or some simple inserts.
Denture Measuring And Adjustment
At this stage, you’ll have the dentist take measurements and the alignment of your upper and lower rows of teeth and might use loose-fitting dentures or wax mould to give a better approximation of the position of your teeth.
This is to ensure that the dentures that will be fitted have a straight bite and there isn’t any clicking when you speak or eat anything, so there is as little inconvenience to you as possible.
Depending on the type of dentures you’re having, your dentist might discuss the process of removing rows or individual teeth and whether any need to be drilled into to act as an anchor if you were getting bridge dentures, for example.
Denture Fittings
This visit is likely going to take the longest, as rows or individual teeth are removed, and you’ll either have to wait for the gums to heal before removing the rest, or you’ll be given immediate dentures to fit over the treated area, as this will depend on what you have removed.
If you have to wait, you’ll likely be prescribed some ani-pain medication or a gel that you can use on your gums to assist in the healing process.
This visit will repeat if you’re getting permanent fixtures screwed in and might be a few months apart, and once these are removed, the fixtures can be fitted, and you’ll be given another appointment for a check-up.
Follow-Up Appointment
Now you’ve had some time to adjust to these dentures, permanent or not, and your dentist will check the fit to see if the mouth has shrunk significantly, which can affect the fittings slightly, and will make adjustments if necessary.
Your dentist will also ask you if you’ve had any issues like bleeding or pain, which they can rectify for the time being, and may even give you advice on how to maintain your new teeth and any lifestyle changes you can make.
This isn’t to make your experience any more inconvenient but instead serves to help your teeth stay in place, so you’re not visiting earlier than the usual permanent dentures lifespan of 10-15 years.
What About The Cost?
When you go for your initial examination, you’ll be given a copy of a treatment plan which will outline what work is recommended and will normally draft the cost associated with it.
With the NHS, an initial examination costs £23.80 and procedures such as dentures or bridges are going to cost somewhere around £282.80, so the cost can rise pretty quickly.
If you decide to go private, these same dentures could cost anywhere from £500- £1,500, and permanent dentures could cost you north of £10,000.
This might sound like a staggering amount, but with a private healthcare plan, you can get more variety of treatment options, and you’ll likely get a better quality of service and after-care.
As the NHS can be overwhelmed from time to time, there usually isn’t a very long waiting list for your appointments and treatments to begin, so you’ll have to weigh each option carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Are Dentures Made Of?
Your standard removable false teeth are made from acrylic, specifically plastic or metal, but there are options where you might be offered porcelain dentures, which look more natural and last much longer.
However, acrylic dentures are stronger because they adhere better to the denture base, but the teeth themselves might not be as sharp compared to the layers of tissue that make up your regular teeth.
The acrylic resin does have its benefits, as you’ll find these types of dentures are easier to adjust and are known to be more comfortable once fitted.
Is It Healthy To Have Dentures?
If your teeth are missing and your gums and jaw are beginning to suffer, dentures seem like the logical solution, if you’re missing a few teeth, you may find that you have an improper bite and find aspects of eating and talking difficult.
As long as they are fitted properly, you can avoid issues such as gingivitis, plaque build-up, and potentially the further loss of teeth.
They can also help with adding structure to your face, which can really help with confidence, and therefore allow you to live a better life.
How Do I Know If I Need Dentures?
Usually, your gums and teeth will be in some considerable pain that prevents you from going about your day, so if your gums are swollen, tender, or bleeding, or you have gingivitis, which can lead to further periodontal problems, it will require the removal of teeth.
At this stage, you might need some or all of your teeth removed, and this is where you are offered dentures, and the types can alter depending on the severity of your teeth and the fitting that will offer you the best solution.
If you’re at all worried about your treatment, you can ask your dentist to break each one down so you can plan for future appointments or get a second opinion if you feel you need to do so.
Conclusion
We tend to assume that elderly folk use dentures more often than other groups, but ages 40 and higher are just as prone to needing dentures, and this can occur with younger people if they really don’t pay attention to their oral health and don’t have a regular cleaning schedule.
Of course, you can avoid the intervention of dentures as long as you’re careful of what drinks and foods you consume which can affect the enamel, and you add flossing to your regime as well.
If you make it a part of your schedule, after a while, it will become second nature, and soon you won’t even give it that much thought, which is good news overall for you and your confidence as you show off that smile.
He has combined both of these skills to create his first company, Isopharm Limited, which became one of the top learning platforms within the dental industry.
With over 120,000 active users, he has been able to educate others in order to provide better dental care around the world.
With his expertise and work in the field, Andrew has been able to help many dental care professionals succeed in treating their patients.
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