The Missing Piece to a Perfect Smile
When teeth are missing, it can significantly affect how a patient feels about themselves, especially if they have visible tooth gaps when smiling or talking. In addition to altering our patient’s appearance, missing teeth can also cause discomfort.
Patients can lose teeth by accident, through infection, or from severe decay. Full dentures are an excellent alternative that Restoration Dental encourages for our patients who want to replace teeth when implants are not a viable option due to bone loss or expense.
Full dentures require some getting used to and won’t feel exactly like the natural teeth, but today’s dentures can be removed and put back in the mouth as necessary. Plus, full dentures are more comfortable and natural-looking than ever.
What Is a Full Denture?
Full dentures replace all or most of your natural teeth and are the most popular type of denture used in the United States. A conventional full denture is a removable appliance that replaces all of the natural teeth in the upper or lower jaw. For patients interested in a non-removable option, implant-supported full-arch restorations are available.
How Do Full Dentures Work?
The main features of full dentures are their fit, durability, and retention. Full dentures are held in place through a combination of suction, saliva, and the natural contours of your gums and jaw. Denture adhesive may also be used for additional stability.
Caring for a Full Denture
Patients in St. Louis need to ensure that they are properly cleaned and that they care for their full dentures on a daily basis. This will prevent damage to the dentures and keep them in their original shape.
Patients should brush their dentures with a soft-bristled denture brush and a small amount of a dedicated, non-abrasive denture cleaner, paying particular attention to the teeth and any cracks in the plastic and metal surfaces. All surfaces that come into contact with food or liquids, such as the chewing surfaces of the top and bottom molars and the sides of all teeth, should be brushed thoroughly. Patients should make sure to scrape away plaque from the teeth, gum line, and metal fittings on the top and bottom surfaces.
It’s always a good idea to give the mouth a break. When not using their dentures, patients should let them soak in cool or room-temperature water or submerge them in denture cleaner to keep them free of bacteria.
What Are Full Dentures Made From?
Full dentures are typically constructed of either acrylic or metal with a plastic liner. Metal dentures are often coated with acrylic to give them color and shape. Acrylic is used because it can be molded into any desired shape and form, unlike metal which is limited in shape and size due to its rigidity.
Acrylic also provides tooth-like surfaces that feel more natural than metal surfaces, which can feel overly smooth or cold to the touch. With acrylic surfacing, patients enjoy a more realistic tooth feel.
While the thought of dentures can be a scary one, it is comforting to know that the smile is one of the face’s best features. Once our patients have their full dentures fitted, they enjoy an immediate increase in confidence when they smile and improved clarity when they speak.
Patients in St. Louis should remember to have regular checkups with their dentist at Restoration Dental to maintain a proper fit over time. Gums and jawlines change with age, and it may be necessary to adjust dentures or possibly remake them in the future.
Are Full Dentures Right For You?
If you are missing all or most of your teeth, full dentures may be the right choice for you. Schedule an appointment with our dental team at Restoration Dental today to learn more.
