Dentures are also known as ‘false teeth’ or a ‘plate’, and are one of several ways that missing teeth can be replaced. Dentures are a great way to replace missing teeth, as long as you don’t mind wearing a dental appliance. To learn about other methods of teeth replacement, click here.
There are several types of dentures available:
- Full Dentures – these replace all the teeth in the dental arch: upper and/or lower. They are generally made entirely from a dental plastic called acrylic resin.
- Partial Dentures – these replace one or more missing teeth in a dental arch.
- Acrylic partial dentures – these are made of dental plastic, and are usually held in place by metal clasps (clips)
- Chrome partial dentures – these have a thinner metal base and clasps, with dental plastic (acrylic) teeth and ‘gums.’
The Advantages of Dentures
A great advantage of dentures is that they are removable from the mouth; this means that the remaining teeth and gums are easy to reach for cleaning. In fact, we recommend that dentures are removed at night to be cleaned, and not returned to the mouth until morning. Learn why we make this recommendation by clicking here.
It is possible for dentures to crack or break, especially if they are dropped. Fortunately they can often be repaired quickly. However, if the base of a chrome partial denture is distorted, it may need to be remade.
Dentures can also be a good option while you are considering other options for replacing your missing teeth. Some patients will wear dentures while they are budgeting for more complex options like dental implants.
The Challenges of Dentures
Some people do not like having an appliance in their mouth. For many, there is a bit of a learning curve, especially when it comes to eating and speaking. It may take some time to become comfortable and confident, so practice and perseverance are the key.
Over time, the shape of our mouths change; you may find that the denture may not fit as well as it did when it was new. A dentures may be relined from time to time so that its undersurface fits the gums snugly once again. Sometimes, the amount of wear and tear on a denture means that it can no longer be repaired or relined, and a new denture is a more worthwhile option.