Dentures (also known as false teeth) are prosthetic devices constructed to replace missing teeth; they are supported by the surrounding soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity. Conventional dentures are removable (removable partial denture or complete denture). However, there are many denture designs, some which rely on bonding or clasping onto teeth or dental implants (fixed prosthodontics). There are two main categories of dentures, the distinction being whether they are used to replace missing teeth on the mandibular arch or on the maxillary arch.
Problems with dentures may arise because patients are not used to having something in their mouth that is not food. The brain senses the appliance and interprets it as 'food', sending messages to the salivary glands to produce more saliva and to secrete it at a higher rate. This usually only happens in the first 12 to 24 hours, after which the salivary glands return to their normal output. New dentures can also be the cause of sore spots as they compress the denture-bearing soft tissues (mucosa). A few denture adjustments in the days following insertion of the dentures can take care of this problem. Gagging is another problem encountered by a minority of patients. At times, this may be due to a denture that is too loose, too thick or extended too far posteriorly onto the soft palate. At times, gagging may also be attributed to psychological denial of the denture. Psychological gagging is the most difficult to treat since it is out of the dentist's control. In such cases, an implant-supported palateless denture may have to be constructed. Sometimes there could be a gingivitis infection under the completed dentures, caused by the accumulation of dental plaque. One of the most common problems for wearers of new upper complete denture is a loss of taste sensations.
George Washington (1732–1799) suffered from problems with his teeth throughout his life, and historians have tracked his experiences in great detail.[14] He lost his first adult tooth when he was twenty-two and had only one left by the time he became president.[15] John Adams says he lost them because he used them to crack Brazil nuts but modern historians suggest the mercury oxide, which he was given to treat illnesses such as smallpox and malaria, probably contributed to the loss. He had several sets of false teeth made, four of them by a dentist named John Greenwood. None of the sets, contrary to popular belief, was made from wood or contained any wood.[16] The set made when he became president was carved from hippopotamus and elephant ivory, held together with gold springs.[17] Prior to these, he had a set made with real human teeth,[18] likely ones he purchased from "several unnamed Negroes, presumably Mount Vernon slaves" in 1784.[19] Washington's dental problems left him in constant pain, for which he took laudanum.[20] This distress may be apparent in many of the portraits painted while he was still in office,[20] including the one still used on the $1 bill.[21][a]
Whether you are considering getting dentures, already have them, or know someone with them, it’s very likely that you may have some questions about them. What follows is information on what dentures really are, what kind of care they require, and how dentures can improve your oral health. We hope to help you find the answers to all your denture queries and to find out, if necessary, whether dentures might be right for you.
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA -- I had a great experience there, and I'd recommend them to anyone. I had 22 teeth extracted and immediate dentures placed all in the same day. The dentist there is a fireball and I really liked her. I liked all the staff really. In the morning they took the impressions and then sent me out to lunch with prescriptions to fill. A mild sedative, pain pills, and antibiotics. They told me to come back at 2 pm, take the sedative in the waiting room, and wait to be called. When I went back there, they had me take the first pain pill and then numbed me up and began the process. Wow.
In cases where teeth need to be removed, an immediate denture is typically placed to enable proper healing of the extraction sites and serve as an esthetic replacement for natural teeth. This can be easily modified for changing ridge contours during healing until final dentures can be made. In constructing the immediate dentures, dentists will use a shade and mold chart to choose replacement teeth that will most closely match your natural teeth, minimizing any changes in appearance.
Teeth can fall out for a number of reasons, ranging from genetics to drug abuse. Most commonly, teeth are removed or fall out on their own due to severe tooth decay. Neglect to upkeep oral hygiene or not seeking proper treatment for damaged teeth, can lead to the onset of decay which in turn leads to loss of teeth. Visiting you dentist in 6 month intervals is a good preventive measure to spot any early signs of decay.
