Dentures In A Day
Many people today are faced with the problem of how to replace missing teeth. If only a few teeth are missing, a fixed bridge or implants may be the choice. If this is not an option, then a removable partial denture may be the answer. But what if many teeth are missing, and those remaining teeth are not strong enough to support a bridge or partial? In some cases, dentures in a day may be the only answer.
Dentures have been around for many years. The earliest form of dentures was introduced more than 2,000 years ago. Today, dentures are of better quality and more comfortable than ever before.
Replacing missing teeth has substantial benefits for your health and your appearance. A complete denture, also called a full denture, replaces all the natural teeth and provides support for cheeks and lips. Without this support, sagging facial muscles can make a person appear older. By replacing missing teeth, dentures improve a person’s ability to speak and to eat.
When considering whether or not to choose dentures, it is important to understand the different types available. Complete dentures are called “conventional” or “immediate,” according to when they are inserted into the mouth. Conventional dentures are made and inserted after the remaining teeth are removed and the tissues have healed. Healing may take several months.
Dentures in a day – also called immediate dentures — are inserted immediately after the removal of the remaining teeth. To make this possible, the dentist takes measurements and makes models of the patient’s jaw during a preliminary visit.
An advantage of immediate dentures is that the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums can shrink over time, especially during the period of healing in the first six months after the removal of teeth. When gums shrink, dentures in a day may require rebasing or relining much sooner than conventional dentures to fit properly.
For some people, keeping a denture stable in their mouth can be difficult, due to the shrinkage of the bones after the teeth have been extracted. Whenever possible, it is to the patient’s advantage to maintain even a few teeth. A denture called an overdenture is one that fits over a small number of remaining natural teeth that have been prepared by the dentist. The prepared teeth provide stability and support for the denture. Your dentist can determine if an overdenture would be suitable for you.
New dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks until you become accustomed to them. The dentures may feel loose while the muscles of your cheek and tongue learn to keep them in place.
