Losing teeth brings unhappiness because it can affect your appearance and dwindle your confidence and overall well-being. However, advanced dental technology can help to restore your smile and improve the quality of your life.
Over the years, professional dentists have used different types of dentures to provide adequate tooth replacements for people with missing teeth.
In addition, you must care for your dentures to improve their longevity. This article will examine dentures, including their types and care benefits, to help you make informed decisions about your oral health.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are solutions for replacing missing teeth and restoring aesthetic and oral functions. Tooth loss can happen anytime and to anyone, and it usually has physical and emotional impacts. To address the problem of missing teeth, dentists developed tooth replacement technology to minimize the effects of tooth loss and improve overall quality of life.
Dentures are custom-made to solve individual dental needs. If you need this prosthetic solution, your dentist can design a perfect fit for your mouth. The interesting thing about dentures is that they appear natural.
You can opt for dentures to replace a missing tooth or multiple tooth loss. It can help you regain confidence when mingling with other people, speaking, smiling, or making a speech. You will also enjoy eating the meals you avoided before the treatment and maintain better oral health.
What Are the Types of Dentures?
Dentures are made in various types, including the following:
Full Dentures
Complete dentures are used when all natural teeth are missing in the lower or upper jaw. These dentures are custom-made to fit comfortably over the gums, providing a natural-looking and functional teeth restoration solution to those with this dental problem.
The dentures are made with a flesh-colored acrylic base, so they seamlessly blend with natural tooth color. Designing the dentures for a specific patient offers optimal function and also.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are perfect for individuals looking for a dental solution for their remaining teeth. The dentist replaces the teeth by attaching an acrylic or metal framework to support an existing tooth. This way, the tooth will not shift or move around in the mouth.
Partial dentures provide a functional and stable solution, helping to enhance oral function, confidence, and overall quality of life. They are also designed to match an individual’s tooth structure and mouth shape. If you opt for this treatment to replace some of your missing teeth, it results in a better outcome, like restoration of your chewing ability and appearance.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures offer a different function and stability level than traditional dentures. The denture is anchored to dental implants surgically placed into the jawbone to provide a secure and stable fit. This denture also improves chewing efficiency.
How Do You Care for Dentures?
After replacing missing teeth with dentures, you need to care for your dentures. It makes sense to do so if you want them to help you on your oral health journey for some years. In other words, caring for your dentures prolongs their lifespan and protects you from future dental complications.
Here are a few tips for caring for dentures:
Daily Cleaning
To keep your dentures clean and hygienic, it is essential to clean them daily with a non-abrasive denture cleaner or brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush. This helps to remove plaque and bacteria. You can also rinse your dentures after meals to wipe off food particles. When cleaning dentures, gently scrub the surface, including the artificial teeth and gum-colored base, and rinse thoroughly with water to ensure fresh use.
Handle with Care
Dentures are fragile and can be easily damaged if they are handled poorly. But you can prevent damage to your dentures by cleaning them with a soft brush and placing them on a smooth surface or in a water basin to prevent potential falls. During denture cleaning, avoid using hot water, abrasive cleaners, or harsh chemicals, which can damage or warp the denture material. If you handle your dentures with care, you can extend their lifespan, and they will continue to fit comfortably on your teeth and perform their actual function.
Keep Dentures Moist
When you are not wearing your dentures, please remove them and store them in plain water or a denture cleaning solution to keep them moist. This protects the fragile acrylic material from warping or drying out, which can affect their fit and comfort. Do not also use hot water; change the water or solution in which you store your dentures daily to keep them clean and fresh.
Regular Checkups
Schedule regular dental checkups with your dentist to ensure your dentures fit correctly and perform the functions they are there for. If your dentures no longer fit, your dentist can inspect them and make adjustments to prevent discomfort, irritation, or prolonged wear without noticeable results. Regular checkups can also help identify any potential problems with your treatment early on, keeping your smile confident and healthy.
What Are the Benefits of Dentures?
Dentures offer many benefits, including
- Improved Speaking and Chewing: Wearing dentures helps restore oral communication and chewing functions. This allows you to speak clearly and enjoy your favorite meals.
- Enhanced Aesthetics: When a person loses a tooth, it affects appearance, especially when smiling. However, dentures can help fill missing teeth, enhance facial contours, and heighten self-confidence.
- Prevents Oral Health Problems: Dentures help to replace missing teeth, which in turn sustain proper tooth alignment and prevent jawbone loss for better oral health.
Budget-Friendly Procedure: Dentures are an affordable investment compared to dental bridges and implants, so you can consider this option to replace missing teeth.
Conclusion
Dentures are essential in dental restoration for those with missing teeth. If you are concerned about your missing tooth, you can start by getting familiar with the different types of dentures, their proper care routines, and oral health benefits to help you achieve a better outcome. With the right denture, you can begin a journey of renewed confidence, improved oral function, and enhanced smile aesthetics.
