subject: How Dentures Are Fit and Made [print this page] Dentures are used to replace sections of your teeth that are edentulous or without teeth. These tooth replacement appliances may be fixed or removable depending on your specific needs. To have a better appreciation for modern denture appliances, it is good to understand how dentures are fit and made. Since approximately 700 B.C., people have been making and wearing dentures, the only differences are the materials and the expertise of the general dentist available in the 21st Century.
Indications for Dentures
Dentures are typically reserved for a last resort when all other dental repairs and restorations are contraindicated. If your underlying bone structure will not support tooth root replacements known as dental implants, then dentures may be your best option. There are two types of dentures:
Complete
Partial
A complete set of dentures would be indicated if all of your teeth and the supporting bone structure are weakened or diseased beyond repair. Partial sets of dentures may be used if some of your teeth are healthy enough to use as anchors for the replacement teeth. Dentures not only restore tooth function, they will help you with your confidence and self-image. The dentures help support your facial muscles and will help you with any speech problems that occur in an edentulous mouth.
Fitting Dentures
Everyone's mouth is different and each set of dentures must be custom fitted. The teeth are seated in a plastic mount called a frame. Impressions of the gums and palate are made, to which the frame is fitted. The top plate is held to the roof of the mouth with suction. The denture should fit the roof of the mouth as tightly as possible for the suction to work effectively. Modern plastic material has several advantages:
Stronger
Lighter weight
No metallic taste
Hypoallergenic
If any teeth need to be extracted that is done first and in most cases, the gums will be given time to heal. Depending on your specific needs, you may be fitted with immediate dentures even before your gums heal completely.
Denture Fabrication
Most dentures are made out of a combination of acrylic resin, porcelain or other tooth like material. Porcelain dentures looks more like natural tooth enamel, but is typically used where it does not oppose your natural tooth in order to prevent damage to your natural teeth. A complete set of dentures may take several weeks for fabrication at a dental laboratory.
The fabrication process consists of the following steps:
An impression is made
A cast of the impression is made and resin poured or hand packed into the cast
The resin is heated to initiate a chemical reaction
The dentures are allowed to harden
The dentist smoothes the dentures to and fitted to your mouth
Once fitted, your dentures allow you to resume your normal eating and chewing habits. With proper care and attention, your dentures should last you several years. Adjustments may be made every few years to ensure that your dentures continue to give you a snug and comfortable fit. Most problems arise with people who chew or smoke tobacco or consume too much alcohol.
