You may need new dentures if they are discolored, severely deteriorated or uncomfortable. Yellow or brown stains are the most common types of discoloration. Meanwhile, deteriorating dentures won't tear or grind food properly when you bite into something or chew. Dentures that don't fit properly can cause pain. If you're unsure how dentures should fit or feel, talk to your dentist.
Medically, the consequences of not replacing missing teeth include unwanted and unhealthy nutritional changes. There are also potential risks of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, depression, and an increase in the likelihood of developing cancer. These are all prominent health risks that are avoidable by providing a dental structure with partial dentures or another quality tooth replacement option.
Over a period of time, your denture will need to be relined, remade, or rebased due to normal wear. Rebasing means making a new base while keeping the existing denture teeth. Also, as you age, your mouth naturally changes. These changes cause your dentures to loosen, making chewing difficult and irritating your gums. At a minimum, you should see your dentist annually for a checkup.
Overdentures are an alternative that can be used if traditional dentures prove to be extremely uncomfortable or if you have a few natural teeth left. Overdentures are fitted over the roots of natural teeth and either rest on these or on dental implants, if there are no natural teeth to fit over. Some find this type of denture more comfortable and they are also easily removable.
The Faculty Practice at UT Dentistry is staffed by licensed dentists who are also on faculty at the School of Dentistry. When you receive treatment by dentists from the School of Dentistry, you'll get services and expertise from seasoned professionals who also teach our future dentists. Our office has the feel of a private practice with the resources of a nationally recognized dental school.
When you are missing one or more teeth, the bite pressures shift in your mouth. Other teeth may begin to move to compensate for the “gap” in your bite, and you may experience shrinking of both the soft tissues and the supporting bone near your missing teeth. This can alter your physical appearance and can lead to subsequent problems with your other teeth. A partial denture keeps the underlying structures of your mouth – your gums, jawbone, facial muscles, etc. – active and engaged. It helps prevent further shifting of the other teeth in your mouth, while giving you the confidence of having a beautiful, complete smile.
An overdenture is a removable dental prosthesis that covers and rests on one or more remaining tooth roots. A removable partial denture is a dental prosthesis that replaces some teeth and is built around existing natural teeth. Both the overdenture and the removable partial denture may be connected to the remaining tooth roots or remaining natural teeth with anchors made of metal or plastic. These connections improve stability and the retention of both prostheses.
