dentures

problem: I need to have teeth out and I do not want to have a gap while I am waiting for my mouth to heal

problem: My dentures do not fit me anymore

Dentures or false teeth have been around for a very long time. Man has been trying to replace missing teeth with some type of appliance for thousands of years. With modern technology, dentures have become lighter, stronger, more comfortable, and even flexible. Dentures are used to replace missing teeth, and/or to build up the bite so that the jaw relationship is improved. The teeth used today in all types of dentures are made of plastic so that the shape and colour resemble natural teeth very accurately. Dentures need to be removed from the mouth for cleaning the remaining teeth, gums and dentures.

Dentures can be full dentures that replace all the teeth in the upper and lower jaws or in just one jaw, or  partial dentures that replace only some of the teeth, when not all the teeth have been lost. Dentures are made from a variety of materials, most commonly from plastic. They can also have a metal component that is usually a chrome-cobalt alloy, but gold is also sometimes used. Metal partial dentures are designed on a surveying machine so that they are easy to put in and take out of the mouth, as well as to distribute the forces of the bite evenly between the natural teeth and the denture. A new type of nylon material called Valplast is being used for dentures. This type of denture is flexible as well as being extremely strong, and very light. Valplast dentures do not have a metal component.

Full dentures have always been retained in the mouth by suction from the saliva on the gums making a vacuum like a rubber cup. Various types of denture adhesives are available as an aid to keeping the denture stable. Retention is usually good in the upper jaw, but the lower denture has always been challenging, and is seldom entirely successful. Partial dentures use a combination of suction and metal clasps that hold onto natural teeth to keep the denture stable on the gums. Valplast has clasps or extensions made from Valplast incorporated in the design to provide retention and stability.

Implants are often used to anchor and stabilise dentures. Two or three implants per jaw (and particularly in the lower jaw) may have balls, studs or bars attached to them to provide an anchor for the denture. These overdentures are proving a boon to denture wearers and are extremely successful.

Advantages: Replacement of missing teeth so that the patient can chew, smile, and talk better is always an advantage over having no teeth or having gaps. False teeth now look great and patients can feel confident wearing their dentures. Plastic dentures are relatively cheap, are easy to make, and are easily repairable or added to. Metal partial dentures are stable in the mouth and cover a minimum of gum, being almost entirely clasp retained. Valplast dentures are virtually unbreakable, are light and comfortable and look good. All come in a variety of gum colours as well.

Disadvantages: Plastic full dentures cover the entire inside of the mouth, removing all sensation in the palate when eating, drinking and talking. The lower denture is often annoying, as it tends to move while eating and accumulates food debris under it that is often uncomfortable. Partial plastic dentures also move when eating resulting in a pumping action, pushing food under the gum around the standing natural teeth. The plastic is generally fairly thick to provide strength for the denture. Metal dentures are clasp retained which may put undue pressures on the supporting teeth. The dentures are easy to repair or to add teeth onto. Metal dentures are quite expensive. Valplast dentures are difficult to adjust if they rub in the mouth and cannot be repaired, and cannot have teeth added onto them.