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When a person's teeth are missing, a series of problems can occur: they may not be confident enough to laugh, have difficulty speaking, or be unable to chew some food.
Methods of restoring teeth
There are three ways to repair missing teeth: bridges, implants, and wearing dentures.
Bridge: Add a crown to both sides of the missing tooth and use the crown to hold the denture in place.
The material of the bridge can be selected from all-porcelain, porcelain and metal. The bridge can repair up to two to three consecutive missing teeth (depending on where the missing teeth are). Some bridges are fixed to the teeth, which is equivalent to a fixed permanent denture.
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Dental implants: Dental implants are metal restorations implanted in the bone tissue of the upper or lower alveolars, and adding a crown to the metal restoration, or adding a bridge to multiple dental implants, can replace the missing teeth. Dental implants are more expensive than other restorations, but are the closest to natural teeth.
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1. Understanding Dental Implants (Part 1)
2. Learn about dental implants (Part 2)
Dentures: Dentures are dental appliances that are customized for patients who have missing teeth, with the goal of restoring the appearance and function of the teeth. Dentures are divided into full dentures and partial dentures. If a person's teeth are gone, they need to wear a full denture; if they are only partially missing, they need to wear a partial denture.
Depending on the different conditions of the mouth, economic conditions, and living habits, doctors will recommend different ways to restore teeth. Today I will explain one of them to you - dentures.
What are the different types of dentures
Full dentures: Consist of two parts, a plastic base that mimics the function of the gum, and a full pair of plastic or porcelain teeth that support it.
Traditional full dentures are maintained by fitting in with the gums. Full dentures can now also be surgically implanted into alveolar bones, which is much more expensive than traditional full dentures.
Partial dentures: Partial dentures are dentures that are fixed using a plastic base or metal bracket, depending on the number of missing teeth.
Due to the high metal hardness, traditional partial dentures usually use metal brackets. Plastic partial dentures are often used only in the emergency department or as a temporary replacement for missing teeth to help restore the gums and alveolar bone before the teeth are finally restored. In recent years, dentists have also had the flexibility to choose other durable materials (such as resins) to make partial dentures.
How are dentures made?
After the tooth falls, the alveolar fossa is filled with bone – the gums heal and change shape – and the gums and alveolar bone are shaped, a process that takes months. Therefore, patients usually start treatment with full dentures 8 to 12 weeks after tooth extraction or tooth defect.
First, an impression of the oral tissue supporting the denture is obtained.
Dental laboratories use impressions to make models of a patient's mouth, and dentists and laboratory technicians slowly make dentures on the models and move them into the patient's mouth.
At every step, ensure that the patient establishes the proper bite while ensuring that the denture has the desired appearance. Patients usually see the dentist once a week for 4 to 5 weeks until the denture is fully formed.
Usually, after a tooth has been extracted, the patient temporarily wears a temporary denture. Temporary dentures are made before the tooth extraction and placed in the mouth after the tooth extraction. Dentists sometimes pull out the back teeth and retain the front teeth until the denture is fully ready.
Temporary dentures don't fit as well with the palate and gums as well as traditional dentures, so more adjustments may be required during the wearing phase. Temporary dentures are only temporary tools, and after the gums and bones have healed, they should be replaced with traditional dentures.
Do dentures affect the wearer's appearance, sensations, eating and speaking?
Dentures can restore or even enhance a person's appearance in a way that is almost imperceptible to outsiders. Fitting and removing dentures takes a while to run in.
At first, the gums may feel tingling. Within the first few weeks of starting to use a denture, be sure to go to the hospital for a follow-up examination to adjust the position of the denture to avoid irritating the oral tissue.
After wearing a denture, you need to practice eating. Patients are best started with softer foods, chewed with bilateral teeth, and then slowly ate harder foods. Difficult-to-chew and sticky foods should be avoided. When the cheeks and tongue get used to dentures, they will automatically help the dentures to return to position.
Speaking also requires practice, and it is easy to master the technique after repeating it a few times.
When doing exaggerated movements (such as yawning and laughing), the denture may shift at first and return to normal after a while. If this continues to happen, the denture may need to be adjusted.
Wearing a denture at first may result in increased saliva, but will gradually return to normal.
Do dentures need to be worn throughout the day?
Dentures are usually worn during the day and removed at night to allow the mouth to rest at night. However, in the first few days of wearing the denture, in order to adjust the denture to the optimal position, the denture should be worn even if you sleep.
This is very important for patients wearing temporary dentures, as when the teeth are just pulled out or fall out, the gums will swell and if the dentures are removed, they may not be able to wear them again.
How to maintain a denture?
Dentures need to be well maintained. When not in use, the denture should be placed in a container filled with water or denture cleaner. The denture should never be placed in hot water, which will damage the denture and cause it to deform.
Dentures should be cleaned daily with a toothbrush and denture cleaner. After removing the denture every day, you must brush your teeth to ensure that tartar is removed and reduce the probability of bacterial infection.
Should I use a denture stabilizer?
Denture stabilizers bond the denture to the oral tissue by bonding, thereby stabilizing the denture.
It can enhance the stability of dentures, but it should not be used to help with improper denture alignment. It is wrong to think that you don't have to go to the dentist with a stabilizer.
How long can dentures last?
If properly cared for, dentures can be used for at least five years.
Over time, the alveolar bone will atrophy, causing the denture to loosen. Although the probability of this happening varies from person to person, regular visits to the dentist can best avoid such a situation.
Improper dentures can cause the alveolar bone to atrophy more quickly. To extend the life of the denture, the dentist will use a tray separator to re-fix the denture.
Small cracks in dentures and plastic pedestals can be sent to a dental laboratory for repair.
Although pharmacies and online stores are also selling denture repair kits, which claim to be used to repair small cracks or replace loose dentures, the way to repair dentures is very complicated, and if you find a problem with dentures, it is best to consult a professional such as a dentist as soon as possible.
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Original link | http://www.medicinenet.com/dentures/article.htm
Translated by | Snowy night cruise
Editor & Layout | Dentist Hemp Debbie
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