All about Dentures

This article seeks to inform people of important aspects of dentures and the positive and negative side effects that come along with them.

As a kid some people remember their grandparents playing with their teeth or watched them take them out completely. With age, those kids learned that these are called dentures, a removable replacement for missing teeth.

A lot of people in the local area can avoid needing dentures in Arizona, but for those who do it is important to know how they function.

How they are made

The first thing a dentist will do is take impressions of the jaw to get the spacing right for the dentures to fit properly. Once they have an impression a mold will be made, such as the one in the picture above.

This mold will need to be tried on a few times to check for fit, shape, and possibly color. Once you and the dentist agree the final cast will be made allowing for adjustments just as needed.

Types of Dentures

There are different kinds of dentures available in Sun City dentistry. You will either need a partial or complete set.  Based on how many teeth are lost or need to be removed will clarify this decision for you.

People lose teeth from gum disease which affects the roots of the teeth and causes decay. If all of the teeth have been removed a complete denture can be worn 12 weeks after. A partial set can be placed almost immediately.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are more similar to a style of an implant in that it prevents the other teeth from shifting. These partial dentures have to be cemented in place in order to be effective. It is usually still removable and has internal adjustments instead of clasps.

Complete Dentures

There are two styles of complete dentures, immediate and conventional.  Conventional are the better option. This style isn’t placed until the 12 weeks after mark to accommodate the shifting of the gums as it heals from tooth removal.

Immediate dentures allow the patient to not go without teeth, but these will need to be adjusted and refitted throughout the healing process. It is recommended to use these as temporary dentures.

Problems

Most dentures rub against to gums and cause irritation and excessive discomfort. They are removable and don’t always stay in place especially when eating. This limits the foods available for denture patients to eat.

If the denture isn’t fixed in place it allows the jaw bone to shift and deforms the natural shape of the face over time. They also need to be replaced every few years at the patient’s expense because durability is an issue.

Price

They start at around $300 for a partial set and can get as expensive as $4,000 for a premium full set (approx.). Most insurances cover most to all of the cost so it’s a good idea to look into your options.

If money isn’t an issue dental implants might be an even better option to consider. This option just allows for less hassle and a one-time cost verses needing adjustments every few years.

Dentures can cause different problems but it is a relatively cheap solution to missing teeth. Talking to the dentist about your options is a great place to start.