Dentures, also known as artificial teeth, are dental appliances designed to replace missing teeth and restore a natural appearance and beautiful smile. There are two primary types: full and partial. The primary difference between the two is their purpose and their appearance.
What Is the Difference Between Full and Partial Dentures?
Their Purpose
The full version is specifically designed to replace a full arch of missing teeth on the top or bottom of the mouth, or in both areas. The partial version of this dental appliance is designed to replace a few missing teeth, not an entire arch, and can be fitted between teeth so that they restore full function and blend seamlessly.
Their Appearance
A full set of dentures restores a natural smile and enables patients to regain the complete function of their teeth for chewing purposes. Patients will use a special adhesive to secure the dentures set into the mouth. A partial set of dentures is meant to fill in gaps where teeth have been lost for both functional and aesthetic purposes. They also come with hooks that can easily latch onto the existing surrounding teeth to provide functional stability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dentures?
The best candidates for dentures are patients in who are missing teeth and want to restore them so that they can chew comfortably and have a natural, normal smile. Patients who have lost several teeth or are close to losing a majority of their teeth will benefit from custom dentures.
To be a candidate, you must have healthy gum tissue and a healthy underlying bone. If you’re interested in dentures but aren’t sure whether you’re a candidate, the first step is to meet with an experienced dentist. He will perform an exam and find out more about your dental history to confirm your eligibility and walk you through the treatment process.
What Happens During the Treatment Process?
Initial Consultation
The first step in the treatment process for custom dentures is an initial consultation. You’ll meet with your dentist, who will perform a full examination of your mouth. He will examine your gums, your jaw bone, and your teeth, identify areas where you’ve lost teeth, and complete dental X-rays to get a better understanding of your overall oral health.
Once he confirms that you’re a good candidate for this dental appliance, you’ll need to have impressions made of your jaws so that your customized dental appliance can be created for your mouth. The impressions will be sent to a dental lab and a model will be created to customize your dentures. Once the appliance has been customized, it will be sent back to the dentist and you’ll come in for your fitting.
The Fitting Process
When you arrive for your fitting appointment, the dentist will place the dentures in your mouth and evaluate their fit. He will be able to make adjustments and corrections if you experience any discomfort during the fitting process. At this time, your dentist will give you more information about how to care for dentures and more details about what to expect during those first few weeks following your fitting.
Caring for Your Dentures
After you get fitted for dentures, your dentist will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions. Both the full and partial versions of these dental appliances must be taken out overnight to allow for your gums to rest and for the teeth to soak and clean. You’ll need to soak them in a specialized solution overnight and reinsert them in the morning.
It’s also important that you brush your gums and any remaining natural teeth twice daily while your dentures are removed to remove any debris from the area and promote and maintain optimal oral health.
How Long Do They Last?
These dental appliances are long-lasting. Most patients can use their custom dentures for seven to 10 years after which a new set will be necessary. Over the course of your treatment plan, it’s important that you schedule routine checkups to extend the longevity of your dental appliance so that you don’t have to replace them sooner than necessary.
Will I Need To Avoid Certain Foods?
Denture-wearers can consume most of their favorite foods, but some foods and beverages can put dentures at risk and therefore must be avoided. Hard foods like candies, crusty breads, nuts, and even some vegetables can put pressure on your dentures and damage them, which is why they should be avoided.
Additionally, sticky foods can damage dentures, as can tough meats or bone-in meats. To preserve the appearance of your dentures, you should avoid foods that can discolor or permanently stain them, including coffee, tea, and red wine. Your dentist can give you more information about which foods to avoid after you get fitted for your custom dental appliance.
Is There a Recovery Process?
After you get fitted for your custom dentures, you’ll need to be prepared for a short recovery process. Your gums may feel sore, and it will take some time for your mouth and mind to adjust to the fit and feeling of dentures.
This typically takes anywhere from one to four weeks. If you experience any discomfort aside from initial soreness, it’s important that you reach out to your dentist so he can make the needed adjustments to ensure your dental appliance fits perfectly and feels comfortable and natural.
Will I Look Natural with Dentures?
When you work with an experienced dentist to customize your dentures, you can ensure that the final product will perfectly fit your mouth and that you will look completely natural after getting them fitted. Even though your dentures will be artificial, they are designed to look and resemble natural teeth.
If you only need the partial version of the dental appliance to fill in any gaps where you’ve lost teeth or to restore your ability to chew and eat, not only will they improve your ability to chew, but they’ll also improve your appearance by giving you a perfect smile.
Do I Still Need To Schedule Dental Exams?
It’s important that you continue scheduling routine examinations and checkups after getting dentures. Your dentist will take x-rays as needed and evaluate your gum health and the fit of your dentures during these appointments. If you get the partial version of this dental appliance, you will need to have existing natural teeth professionally cleaned to ensure optimal oral health and wellness.
Are You In Need Of Restorative Dental Care In The Martinsburg Area?
If you’re in need of restorative dental care you owe it to yourself to speak with an experienced dentist as soon as possible. Please feel free to contact us online or call our Martinsburg, West Virginia dental office directly at 304.267.6059 to schedule your appointment. We provide a wide range of general dentistry care as well as more involved dentistry services for patients throughout the Martinsburg area and look forward to you joining the Cornerstone Dental family.
