Dentures

Dentures are removable false teeth that are used to replace missing teeth. Full dentures are made when there are no teeth at all present on the upper and lower jaws. Partial dentures are made when there are healthy supporting teeth surrounding the missing tooth.

The dentures are matched to your existing tooth colour so they blend in with your smile. A colour match of your gums can also be achieved to camouflage the denture piece.

Full dentures

Full dentures comprise upper and lower teeth replacement, and are required when no teeth at all are present on the upper or lower jaws. It is the full lower denture that is always a problem as there is no bone to hold it in place (this is why it is always advised to save lower teeth). But denture implants are proving very successful in supporting a lower denture.

Partial dentures

Vitallium

Vitallium is a cobalt-chromium alloy used to create strong, long-lasting partial dentures. But the supporting teeth must be healthy as it can be difficult to add to these dentures if a supporting tooth is lost. So a full examination by your FirstBite dentist must be carried out prior to constructing a Vitallium partial denture.

Acrylic

A cheaper form of partial denture can be made of acrylic when cost is a factor, or when the supporting teeth are not healthy as it is easy to add to these dentures if another tooth is lost.

Implant dentures

To overcome traditional denture problems, implant denture are now available as an alternative. Speak to your FirstBite dentist to find out if an implant denture is suitable for you.

Maintenance

Full dentures

As time progresses, the bone that is present where the tooth is lost slowly resorbs (it is removed by your body as it is not required to support a natural tooth anymore) so your dentures become loose. This is not so much a problem with a partial denture but full dentures can become very loose, sometimes leading to lower full dentures becoming impossible to wear. Implant dentures avoid this problem, as they are fixed to the lower jaw.

Relining the dentures is a process of adding more acrylic to the denture to get it to fit the new bone height. This normally involves leaving the denture with your Firstbite dentist for a whole day. Relining the dentures every few years when necessary will help fit the denture to the new bone height.

Partial dentures

As the remaining teeth are the support for the denture, it is important that these teeth are properly cared for. More food is collected by the denture, which increases the possibility for gum disease and caries.

Cleaning your denture

All dentures must be cleaned. Thorough scrubbing of the whole denture two to three times a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste, along with rinsing the denture after meals, should be adequate.

Once a week, soak the denture overnight in a glass of water mixed with a little white vinegar. This will make cleaning the denture with a toothbrush easier. To achieve a very shiny denture, try scrubbing with Velvet laundry soap and rinsing thoroughly once or twice a week.

Do not wear dentures at night while sleeping, as they can injure the gum tissue, prevent normal movement of saliva and provide a breeding ground for bacteria.