Dentures.

There are many reasons why you may have lost your teeth including gum disease, tooth decay or trauma. In the past, dentures have been used to fill the gaps left by missing teeth. When teeth are lost and gum tissues shrink, some facial support is lost. This explains why people with missing teeth often have deep wrinkles around the mouth and a sunken look to their cheeks and lower face.

Dentures, are also known as dental plates or false teeth, and are devices made to replace missing teeth. Dentures are removable, however there are many different designs, some of which clip onto teeth or implants.

Using modern materials, dentures now last longer and fit better than they did in the past. The biggest improvement however is in the appearance. Artificial denture teeth look like natural teeth, each tooth can be individually positioned and characterised to give a personal appearance.

If all the teeth in a jaw are missing then you need a complete denture, also known as a full denture. This is generally made of an acrylic resin.  A part or partial denture replaces just some of the teeth. These may be made from acrylics or a metal framework with the teeth and gum coloured acrylic attached to it. It may be possible to see some of the metal framework though we try and design it as invisibly as possible. New flexible acrylics such as Valplast cosmetic dentures have an even better appearance.

The single biggest downside to dentures is that they may slip or come loose when talking, chewing or even smiling. Carefully performed high quality dentistry reduces this problem and a denture fixative may help. The use of dental implants can make your denture very secure and restore your confidence. We would be happy to discuss this with you.

Some people have a sensitive gag reflex and can't tolerate a denture, usually the upper one. We have ways of reducing this problem but it is important that you tell us before we start if you think you may have a problem.

A denture isn't supposed to last forever.

With or without teeth, your mouth slowly changes as you age. But this is more marked if you have no remaining teeth or have had a tooth extracted recently. Your denture is made to fit firmly to the shape of your mouth but that shape will change. Often you don't notice the gradual receding of your gum tissues. But over time, your dentures loosen and become unstable, affecting you in any of a number of different ways. This is why we suggest you replace or refit your dentures every 5 to 7 years. This gum shrinkage may make it more difficult to provide implants in the future.

What's involved?

At the first visit we will assess your mouth and advise you of the suitability of dentures. We will also check any remaining teeth and gums as well as doing a mouth cancer screening. We will take impressions (moulds) of your mouth and discuss your treatment with you. There will be several visits to allow us to assess the new denture and for you to choose your new smile.

After the dentures are fitted there may be some sore spots as they bed in, we will adjust the dentures to ease the soreness. It will take a number of weeks to get used to the new denture, during this time chewing will be unfamiliar and your speech may be affected.

In the future you will still need to get your mouth checked. We will advise you how often this needs to be.

In cases where teeth need to be extracted, we will make a temporary denture to wear whilst your gums heal and harden. This temporary denture will need to be replaced or refitted in 3 to 6 months time.

Is it right for me?

Even the best full denture isn't as good as what Mother Nature gave you in the first place. Exhaust all opportunities, including crown and bridge work, partial dentures, or implants, before having any teeth pulled.  At best, dentures are a compromise. We will discuss all the options with you before you decide what's best for you.

Pros

• A more economical solution than fixed teeth
• Can be customised to achieve a very natural result

Cons

• Removable, can fall out
• Must be removed for cleaning and overnight
• Not an alternative to teeth, an alternative to no teeth
• Part dentures increase rate of tooth decay and gum disease
• Gums shrink meaning dentures have to be refitted or replaced every 3-5 years
• If dentures are not refitted the rate of gum shrinkage increases
• If dentures are not replaced regularly it can lead to facial collapse
• Metal clasps are used to hold the dentures in place and although we try to hide these at the back of the mouth they may be visible.