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What You Should Know Before Getting Dentures

January 1, 2020
Do you ever feel like the loss of your teeth has held you back from being the best version of yourself? In the 21st century, nothing beats having high self-confidence. It is why dentists in Park Ridge, IL have the best services for patients with missing teeth. Learn more about how dentures can be your solution to conquering all your self-esteem issues.
What You Should Know Before Getting Dentures

What Are Dentures?

They are prosthetic applications used in dental work to restore missing teeth. They feature a set of replacement teeth that are attached to a gum-shaped plastic material to be placed over the jawbone of a patient. They are the most tramway of replacing missing teeth. For the longest time, they have been used in teeth restorations for older people. However, in modern dentistry, the versatility of partial dentures vs. full dentures has made this treatment favorable for younger people as well.

Types of Dentures

Like with most other dental appliances, there are different types of Dentures. The differences are marked by the amount of coverage the dentures can offer for patients. The different types are:

  • Partial dentures – as suggested by the name, partial dentures offer partial coverage. They are used to replace teeth where the patient has several other teeth remaining. They are versatile in forms so that there are even partial dentures for front teeth. These dentures can be used to replace multiple missing teeth or even one tooth. However, if you are considering dentures near you for one missing tooth, your dentist will recommend dental bridges that are more suited for one-tooth replacements. The bridges are also considered types of partial dentures. Patients with few missing teeth may overlook the need for partial dentures because they still have multiple other teeth remaining. However, partial dentures are very useful when it comes to controlling teeth movement. They prevent the rest of the teeth from shifting in the wrong direction.
  •  Complete dentures – they are different from partial dentures only in offering more coverage. They are used to replace teeth for patients who do not have any natural teeth remaining. The dentures can be removable or permanently fixed using dental implants. Complete dentures come in different forms:
    • Immediate dentures – these are complete dentures that are prepared early in advance. You can find them in any dental facility when you ask for them. They are not customized for individual unique needs.
    • Conventional dentures – are customized for individual patients. When you visit a dentist, he/she will determine the length of your damage then prescribe the dentures. However, the initial step is to take impressions of your gums to determine the perfect size of dentures. You have to wait a couple of days before your dentures are created. This time allows your gums to heal completely before dentures are placed. This way, you will enjoy a much better fit than with immediate dentures. However, the downside is that you have to stay awhile without teeth, as your gums heal and your dentures are created.
  • Implant-supported dentures – all dentures are removable. You can take them off when you like. The only requirement is to have them on at all times during the first few days after getting them. This is solely for monitoring purposes and to aid adjustments. However, some people prefer having a permanent solution. This will help them feel like the dentures are part of them. While it would be nice to have a full mouth of dental implants, the procedure is very costly and requires a lot of healing time. Instead, a few dentures or two are placed strategically in your mouth. They are positioned in the best location to offer ultimate support. From there, the dentures can be installed on the implants. This will provide stability for the dentures and prevent them from moving unnecessarily.

What to Expect

Once dentures are installed, there are a few things you should expect to experience:

  • Soreness of the gums – since the dentures are foreign, your gums will be sore. Some patients report feeling like the dentures are heavy for them. However, this feeling wears off with time, as you get used to the dentures.
  • Shrunk gums – this is especially for those with immediate dentures. As the gums heal, they shrink. The shrinkage can cause the dentures to ill-fit.
  • Increased saliva flows – especially on the initial days of getting the dentures. It should also reduce after a few days of wearing the dentures.
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