Dentures are actually the custom made replacements for missing teeth and are designed to be taken out and put back into the mouth. Dentures will never feel exactly like the natural teeth and it may take some time to adjust. Modern dentures are very much natural looking and are more comfortable to wear than in the past.
There are two main types of dentures available: partial and full. The dentist will recommend the right type of denture for your situation and discuss the cost involved. Replacing missing teeth helps to improve your smile and appearance. Another advantage is that the dentures will help you speak and eat more comfortably.
A flesh-colored acrylic base would fit over your gums with full dentures. The base of the lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe in order to accommodate your tongue. The dentures are custom-made in a dental lab according to the impressions given by the dentist which is taken by him/her after the consultation. Your dentist will recommend the best-suited denture out of the three mentioned below.
- Partial denture – A partial denture rests on a metal framework which must be attached to your natural teeth. Sometimes, the crowns might serve as anchors for your dentures when they are placed on some of your natural teeth. A removable alternative to bridges is offered by partial dentures.
- Conventional full denture – After removing all the remaining teeth and tissues are healed, the conventional full dentures are placed inside your mouth. The healing might take several months and you are without teeth for so much time.
- Immediate full denture – This type of denture is inserted immediately after removal of the remaining teeth. In your previous visit, your dentist will have taken the measurements and impressions to make the models of your jaw. This type offers the benefit of never being without your teeth, but they must be relined several months after being inserted. The reason is that the bone which is supporting the teeth would reshape as it heals and therefore, cause the denture to become loose.
You might feel awkward with your new dentures and may feel uncomfortable for the first few weeks or months. Speaking and eating with dentures might need a little practice. The muscles of your tongue and cheek would learn to hold your dentures in place over time. Soreness, minor irritation, excessive saliva flow and a feeling that the tongue does not have enough room are not unusual for a few weeks. Contact your dentist if you feel any kind of irritation.