Glendowie Dental Centre

False Teeth or Dentures

False teeth or dentures are prosthetic removable devices used to replace the missing teeth.

False teeth or dentures are prosthetic removable devices.  The function of the dentures are to replace the missing teeth and are supported by the surrounding soft and hard tissues around the mouth. A denture can be a removable partial denture or complete full denture and can be used to restore the missing teeth for upper or lower arch.

There are many different types of denture designs. Some of these rely on bonding or clasping onto the teeth for support.  The denture can also be used to replace missing teeth after implant placement.  It is called an implant supported denture prosthesis.

Process of making a False Teeth or a Denture

Initial Impression

  • A custom made special tray is fitted into the patient’s mouth
  • There is then a secondary and more accurate impression
  • A Bite registration is required
  • A teeth shape and shade selection is made of the false teeth
  • A denture of wax material is tried in.
  • The denture is then made into hard acrylic material.
  • A final adjustment and fit is made.

Removable Partial Dentures

Removable partial dentures are for patients who are missing some of their teeth on either the upper or lower arch. A removable partial denture can be entirely made up of a plastic base or a metal framework.  The removable partial denture is held in place by using clasps around the teeth as support.

Another option in this category is the flexible partial denture that takes advantage of innovations in digital technology called Valplast. The flexible partial denture can only be used to replace two to three missing teeth.

Complete Dentures

Complete dentures are for patients who are missing all the teeth of either or/and of upper and lower arches.  The success of complete denture is dependent on thickness, width, form and coverage of the edentulous arch.  Upper complete denture normally has better retention than lower complete denture due to coverage over the roof of mouth.

Advantages

  • A denture supports facial features giving the patient a more natural and youthful appearance.
  • A denture is a least costly solution to the replacement of missing teeth.
  • A denture can be a temporary solution before transition into implant prosthesis
  • A dentures can be easily maintained. 

Disadvantages

  • A denture can feel very bulky particularly when the denture needs to cover the roof of the mouth.
  • Lower dentures are rarely stable because of various muscles, especially the tongue, which all can shift and dislodge the denture.
  • There can be an allergic reaction to the denture materials.
  • A denture may prevent you from enjoying certain food such as steak, chewing gum or hard crunchy nuts.
  • A denture can be easily broken.
  • A denture will need replacement every seven years due to shrinkage of tissue around the arch.

Maintenance

Daily cleaning of dentures is recommended. Plaque and tartar can build up on false teeth, just as they do on natural teeth. Cleaning can be done using chemical or mechanical denture cleaners. Occasionally, dental hygienist can help to remove plaque and tartar build up around the dentures.  Dentures should not be worn continuously, but rather left out of the mouth during sleep. This removal is to give the soft tissues a chance to have a rest and avoid population of bacteria.  Accumulation of bacteria around soft tissue surrounded by a denture can cause bad breath or Halitosis. This removal can also prevent the development of fungal infection called denture stomatitis.