subject: Dentures - How dentures are made and types available [print this page] Dentures - How dentures are made and types available
Dentures also known as false teeth are artificial devices which are constructed to replace missing teeth, and which are supported by surrounding soft and hard tissues of the buccal cavity. There are two main types of dentures available which depends on whether they are used to
Replace missing teeth (known as partial dentures) or
The mandibular arch or the maxillary arch (known as complete dentures)
The partial dentures are used in the case of loss of only few teeth. Both removable and permanent partial dentures are available in the market. The fixed or permanent partial dentures are more stable and durable ones but they are costly as compared to the removable ones. Some new types of partial dentures are available in the market these days they are the Valplast Flexible partial denture and the Cu-Sil partial denture.
The complete dentures are the artificial set of whole teeth i.e. the patient who have lost all their teeth can use them. They can be made in a single day only but they need adjustment every year as the jaw undergoes shrinking due to which the denture becomes loose. To solve this problem an anchor may be set under the denture.
As the shape and size of the jaw and mouth of every person is different, the dentures areneeded to be custom made i.e. made conferring to the order. The custom made denture complements the facial features and lifestyle of the particular patient. Earlier, when the dentures were not custom made, the following problems were generally faced by the patients:
Headaches, ear aches, and joint problems.
Dietary problems
More laborious chewing and more difficult digestion
Softening of the gums and irritable gums
New dentures aren't what they used to be. Custom made denture, new advance in dentistry enables to improve the fit, comfort, and appearance of dentures.
The process of making of the dentures includes:
The measurement of the jaw is taken by making a series of impression of the jaws.
Wax and other types of models are made out of the measurement taken. And then they are checked for the size and fitting before the proper dentures are cast.
Then the ultimate cast is completed.
Now proper adjustment is done if needed.
As the normal teeth do not lasts for life long no matter how much care is taken. So, most of the seniors need the dentures either the partial of the complete ones. Earlier when the dentures didn't existed or now also the people who don't use dentures are restricted to only soft diet as they can face problems like:
lack of chewing ability,
chronic pain and
infections
So, the dentures can be helpful for those people who lost teeth in old age and as different types of dentures are available, people of different financial classes can use them.
To keep the denture free of odour and plaque, the dentures should be cleaned everyday. The simple tips for the cleaning of denture are:
Fill the sink with water and then clean the denture because if in case the denture slips from the hand while cleaning, it can break.
Use cool or Luke warm water rinse the denture thoroughly to remove the loose food particles. Hot water should never be used.
The denture cleaning paste should be applied on either a moistened denture brush or a soft-bristled toothbrush. The normal tooth brush or any other material should not be used until prescribed by the dentist.
All surfaces of the denture should be cleaned thoroughly, from both inside and outside.
Then the denture should be rinsed under the running tap water to remove all the traces of the cleaner.
While sleeping the denture should be kept in either water or a cleaning solution to provide it proper moisture.
