Replacing missing teeth will help to improve your appearance and smile. Without support from the denture, facial muscles sag, making a person look older. What’s more, dentures will help you eat and speak more comfortably — things that people often take for granted until their natural teeth are lost.
Over time, your denture will need to be relined, remade or rebased as a result of normal wear. Rebasing requires making a new base, while keeping the existing denture teeth. As you age, your mouth naturally changes shape. These changes cause your dentures to loosen, making chewing difficult and irritating your gums. At a minimum, you should see your dentist annually for a checkup.
Here are tips to help you care for dentures:
A conventional full denture is made and placed in a patient's mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed, which may take several months.
An immediate complete denture is inserted as soon as the remaining teeth are removed. The dentist takes measurements and makes models of the patient's jaws during a preliminary visit. With immediate dentures, the denture wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period.
A partial denture rests on a metal framework that attaches to your natural teeth. Sometimes crowns are placed on some of your natural teeth and serve as anchors for the denture. Partial dentures offer a removable alternative to bridges.
This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
ORAL HEALTH QUIZ
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ORAL HEALTH QUIZ
Take our Oral Health assessment to get the most from your oral care routine