Dentures are essentially removable replacements for missing teeth. Two types of dentures are available: complete, or full, dentures and partial dentures. Patients who need to replace an entire row of teeth use full dentures. On the other hand, partial dentures, or partials, are used when only a few of the teeth need to be replaced and some of the natural teeth are still intact. At the Family Dental Group, full and partial dentures are fabricated to resemble natural teeth as closely as possible while also taking into consideration the patient’s comfort when wearing them.
Tooth extraction and restoration: If tooth decay or gum disease is so severe that a tooth can't be saved, it will need to be extracted. Your dentist will examine the remaining teeth in your mouth and determine if they should be removed or restored with tooth-colored fillings, inlays, onlays, or dental crowns. After the teeth have been extracted, the gums need at least two to three months to heal before an implant can be placed or an impression taken.
It was our impression from viewing the video that this technique is very dependent on the dentist's skill in performing the needed steps (more so than with conventional construction, primarily due to time constraints needed to accomplish certain steps, and accomplish them the first time, properly, before the denture materials set). So in that regard, likely the dentist who fabricated your mother's denture is due as much credit as the system itself.
Wooden full dentures were invented in Japan around the early 16th century.[6] Softened bees wax was inserted into the patient's mouth to create an impression, which was then filled with harder bees wax. Wooden dentures were then meticulously carved based on that model. The earliest of these dentures were entirely wooden, but later versions used natural human teeth or sculpted pagodite, ivory, or animal horn for the teeth. These dentures were built with a broad base, exploiting the principles of adhesion to stay in place. This was an advanced technique for the era; it would not be replicated in the West until the late 18th century. Wooden dentures continued to be used in Japan until the Opening of Japan to the West in the 19th century.[6]
It is often necessary to pull any remaining damaged teeth before getting dentures. Tooth extraction typically costs $75-$450 per tooth for a simple extraction and $150-$650 or more per tooth for a surgical extraction. Depending on the number of teeth to be pulled, the total cost of getting dentures can be $1,500-$20,000 or more for a full set (uppers and lowers). CostHelper readers report paying $2,000-$18,000 for a full set of removable dentures including tooth extractions and other preparation work, at an average cost of $9,063.
Some partial dentures are made almost entirely of acrylic – but just like metal framework dentures, acrylic dentures have wire clasps that attach to any remaining natural teeth. These are generally used as a cost-effective alternative to metal-based partial dentures. They can also be used for transitional dentures when you’re expected to have additional prosthetic treatments, such as implants, in the future.
Have your dentist evaluate your needs, as partial dentures are used if there are a larger number of teeth that need to be replaced and if there is a risk of more tooth loss while bridges work best for smaller gaps on the same side of your mouth. Additionally, partial dentures are easier to adjust and repair and are usually less expensive. However, partial dentures can become broken or lost while bridges remain safely fixed to your teeth.
The safe, healthy choice is to not sleep with your partial denture in place. Sleeping with partial dentures is not recommended for a number of reasons. Partial dentures are designed to be cleaned outside the mouth – which also provides the opportunity to ensure no food particles are lodged under or around the partial. Proper oral care and keeping you partial denture clean is vital for the overall health of your gums. From a physical standpoint, your gums will benefit from the opportunity to rest and recover. Also, some patients may clench their teeth in their sleep. This pressure can cause damage to both natural teeth as well as dentures.
Removable dentures may be used in patients who are waiting for their permanent dental implants to be made or patients who choose removable dentures over dental implants. Removable dentures can replace as many missing teeth as needed, from all to just a few. Removal dentures tend to cost less, but they look less natural than dental implants and require special cleaning. Dr. Swift or Dr. Myers will discuss your options and help you make your best choice.
Although dental implant success rates are high, there are cases in which the implant will fail. Most cases of implant failure can be prevented if the patient maintains his or her oral health and chooses a qualified implant dentist to plan and perform the procedure. Dental implants are more likely to fail in the maxilla (upper jaw) than in the mandible (lower jaw). Possible reasons for implant failure include:
Once the relative position of each arch to the other is known, the wax rim can be used as a base to place the selected denture teeth in correct position. This arrangement of teeth is tested in the mouth so that adjustments can be made to the occlusion. After the occlusion has been verified by the dentist or denturist and the patient, and all phonetic requirements are met, the denture is processed.
I hate my dentures!!! I paid over $2000 for the ultimate denture, at the wax try in everything was fine. I had no problem with the dentures and I was told the gum on the denture would be a little dark as the wax was a bright pink color. I picked my permanent denture up a week later and the gums on the denture are black! I don't know if they feel all black people have black gums however, my real gums are not dark to start with. I asked what the cost would be to get the gums on the denture lightened and I was told they would have to be re-made. I paid over $2000 and now it sounds like the only way to get the dentures done right I would have to purchase a new pair. THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING! I cannot believe I recommended this place to people. I feel like I flushed $2000 down the toilet! I am currently wearing my immediate dentures (cheap economy dentures) I received after surgery and they look better than my permanent dentures (expensive ultimate dentures). My advise to everyone is to not sign anything until you know for certain what the end result is. They only focus on how short or long you want the teeth, no one says anything about how the gums attached to the teeth are going to look. I feel if you pay that kind of money they should be done right!
The low-end cost for a full-mouth restoration is about $11,000, a reasonable financial investment compared to a mouthful of single implants (which could run $160,000). A dental practice representing that they can provide a complete-mouth restoration starting at $1,000 is certainly being disingenuous and deceptive. At a minimum, such a procedure requires at least 4 implants and would “start” at a figure closer to $9,000, although probably much higher when considering extractions and prosthetic costs.
Having a complete set of bright and well-aligned teeth can give you a beautiful smile. When a person loses his or her teeth to disease, injury, accidents or age, the gaps in the smile are usually enough reasons to warrant a dental solution. Of course, the reasons for treating missing teeth goes beyond aesthetic reasons and extends into the realms of health, such as personal well-being and simply feeling good about oneself.
Eating with new dentures will take a little practice and may be uncomfortable for some wearers for a few weeks. To get used to the new denture, start with soft foods cut into small pieces. Chew slowly using both sides of your mouth. As you get used to new dentures, add other foods until you return to a normal diet. Be cautious with hot or hard foods and sharp-edged bones or shells. And, avoid foods that are extremely sticky or hard. You should also avoid chewing gum while you wear the denture. Also, don't use toothpicks while wearing dentures.
