Dentures
A denture or a complete denture as it is often called, is an appliance that is inserted in the mouth, replaces natural teeth and provides support for the cheeks and lips.
Most dentures are made of acrylic and can be fabricated two different ways.
- A conventional denture is made after all teeth have been extracted and the tissues (gums) have healed.
- An immediate denture is fabricated and inserted immediately after the teeth are extracted and the tissues are allowed to heal under the denture.
- An upper denture has acrylic, usually flesh colored, that covers the palate (roof of the mouth).
- A lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to leave room for the tongue.
The teeth are made of plastic/acrylic. Dentures can be fabricated to fit over endodontically treated teeth and a complete denture can be attached to dental implants to allow for a more secure fit of the appliance.
The teeth on dentures wear over time and may need to be replaced for proper bite. Another reason, the alignment will slowly change as the bone and gum ridges recede or shrink due to lack of teeth. When teeth are extracted, bone underneath continues to resorb slowly. Regular dental examinations are still important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissues can be checked for disease or change. A lot of patients are good candidates for implants that allows for a tighter fitting dentures. Call us at 513-661-8586 to learn about your options.
