Also known as artificial teeth, dentures are synthetic replacements for missing natural teeth. Facial injuries, tooth decay, and gum disease can lead to tooth loss. Typically, dentures are meant to improve your appearance by filling out your facial profile. They also make it easier for you to speak, eat, and chew. Complete dentures replace all teeth, while partial dentures replace a few missing teeth. You require high-quality dentures if you are missing all or some of your teeth.

South Coast Dentistry provides high-quality dentures in Aliso Viejo, CA. Our professional dentists will give you the best dentures to complete your smile.

Types Of Dentures

If you have missing teeth, various types of dentures are available. They come in fixed or removable forms. The best dentures for you depend on your lifestyle and oral health. Some of the typical dentures include:

Complete Dentures

These dentures are also referred to as full dentures. They are made purposely to replace the whole set of teeth. Often, many dentists will attempt to keep some natural teeth before recommending complete dentures. Usually, full dentures are only an option if all the available options have been exhausted.

Complete dentures are made of acrylic resin and are often supported on the mouth's remaining soft and hard tissues. Unlike dental implants and natural teeth anchored on the bone, complete dentures are supported by the tissues. Complete dentures have the following advantages:

  • They are cost effective
  • They restore eating and chewing
  • They maintain a fuller, more youthful appearance
  • They improve self-esteem and confidence

These dentures have the following limitations:

  • A lisp could develop
  • They require maintenance like repairs and relines
  • They can slide out of their place when eating or speaking

Fixed Partial Dentures (Implant-Supported Bridge)

These dentures are meant to replace a few missing teeth in a row with two dental implants and a prosthetic tooth in between. They are screwed or glued permanently into the mouth. Fixed partial dentures are effective for people who have three or more missing teeth in a row. Unlike removable and complete partial false teeth, fixed partial dentures are not removable. The advantages of implant-supported bridges include the following:

  • They offer consistent tooth positioning and better bite
  • Improved aesthetics
  • They are more robust than removable false teeth
  • Patients typically feel more secure with fixed partial dentures

Fixed partial dentures have the following disadvantages:

  • They are hard to clean, and they need special floss
  • They require surgery
  • They are more costly than removable dentures

Removable Partial Dentures

These dentures are designed to replace only certain missing teeth in your lower and upper jaw. They can be removed at any time and replaced easily. Removable partial dentures restore the teeth' normal function, feel, and look. They consist of a gum-colored base and false teeth made of acrylic. The base is glued on two or more clasps, which keep the denture in place. The clasps are made of flexible pink plastic or metal and hook onto the adjacent teeth for enhanced support. Removable partial dentures are often recommended for patients who are not good candidates for fixed partial dentures. These include patients who are not eligible for surgery. Usually, these types of dentures have the following advantages:

  • They maintain the structural integrity of your mouth by preventing teeth from shifting.
  • They are long-lasting because of the underlying metal framework
  • They are cost effective
  • They are easily removable for cleaning
  • They do not break easily

Removable partial dentures have the following disadvantages:

  • They could have some metal clasps that show when you are smiling
  • They can only replace certain missing teeth
  • They are prone to tartar and plaque build-up if not properly cleaned

Economy Dentures

Often, dentists do not recommend these dentures to patients because they can injure a patient’s mouth and result in poor oral hygiene. Economy dentures are cheap, generic, and premade. These dentures are not custom-made for a patient’s mouth. You also need a denture adhesive to keep the economy dentures in place. However, they have the following advantages:

  • They are easily accessible
  • They are more affordable than other types of dentures

On the other hand, they have the following limitations:

  • They can cause more harm to your oral health
  • Unnatural looking
  • They are less secure since they require denture adhesive

All-On-4 Implant Dentures

These dentures are effective for people who require a complete set of dentures. They are designed to replace the entire missing teeth in the lower and upper jaws using four implants. You cannot extract All-On-4 dentures by yourself. You can only do so with the assistance of your dentist. The advantages of All-On-4 dentures include:

  • Your dentist can place temporary prostheses on the same day as the implant procedure
  • They are more long-lasting than traditional complete dentures
  • They are more natural than the implant-supported options

The following are the disadvantages of All-On-4 dentures:

  • They are more expensive than traditional dentures
  • Dentists are the only ones who can remove them
  • They require diet restrictions during the first three months until the final prosthesis is placed

Immediate Dentures

You must wait six to eight weeks after removing teeth before traditional dentures are placed in your mouth. This period gives your mouth ample time to recover. However, your dentist will place immediate dentures right after your natural teeth are removed. Immediate dentures are convenient but more complicated to fix because they are not molded to a patient's gums. They also need more upkeep and do not look natural.

Immediate dentures are effective for people with sensitive teeth and gums. To ensure a smooth transition, temporary dentures can be placed for a few weeks before permanent dentures are placed. The advantages of immediate dentures include the following:

  • They serve as a band-aid to enhance extraction sites recovery, minimizing bleeding and swelling
  • Provide a temporary solution for eating and talking after getting your teeth extracted
  • Allow you to have teeth while your mouth is healing. You do not have to feel self-conscious about not having teeth

Immediate dentures have the following disadvantages:

  • They require multiple adjustments and, eventually, reline or replacement
  • It is not a long-term solution
  • They are prone to breakage and bacteria buildup
  • They are not as natural looking as permanent dentures

Over Dentures (Implant-Retained Dentures)

Dental implants are used to secure overdentures to the patient's gums. At least four implants are used to hold these dentures in place, but this is not always the case. Overdentures can be placed on the lower jaw, upper jaw, or both. Unlike conventional dentures, overdentures have more stability and chewing function. However, you must allow your gum tissues to rest by removing the dentures every night to clean them. They have the following advantages:

  • They are more aesthetically pleasing and natural-looking than traditional dentures
  • They are stable and robust
  • They are comfortable and custom fit
  • They do not loosen while speaking
  • They provide an excellent chewing ability

The disadvantages of overdentures include:

  • Attachments can become loose and require tightening
  • They require invasive surgery
  • They could require a bone graft or sinus augmentation to support the denture implants.
  • Additional treatment time
  • They are expensive

What Are Dentures Made Of?

Often, artificial teeth in dentures are made of porcelain or plastic, while acrylic is used to make fake gums. The frame that supports the dentures and keeps the false teeth in place resembles the natural gum line. The frame is made from a similar acrylic resin. A more flexible polymer material can also be used to create a frame that is comfortable to wear on the natural gum line.

Who Needs Dentures

The main purpose of dentures is to provide a remedy for tooth loss. There are several causes of tooth loss:

  • Infection
  • Periodontal disease
  • Certain genetic diseases
  • Poor oral care
  • Facial or jaw injury
  • Tooth extraction
  • Tooth decay

Patients could also be at a higher risk of tooth loss if:

  • They neglect at-home dental care, which includes brushing twice a day, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash
  • They are over 35 years
  • They neglect professional teeth cleaning and examinations every three to six months.
  • They have diabetes or heart problems
  • They smoke or use tobacco products
  • They have rheumatoid arthritis

You should maintain sufficient jawbone structure and healthy gum tissue to benefit from dentures. False teeth require substantial support from natural tissue to remain in place for longer.

Taking Care Of Dentures

Unlike natural teeth, denture materials are more delicate. As a result, dentures can easily crack or chip if dropped or poorly cared for. However, dentures can last a long time with proper care. If you allow dental plaque to build up on your false teeth, it could lead to bad breath, bone loss, and stomatitis, often characterized by inflammation of the soft tissue lining inside the mouth. An oral thrush infection is another risk of unmaintained dentures. To avoid these conditions, you must practice the right denture care. Good dental care includes:

  • Soaking the dentures overnight in white vinegar diluted with water to remove or prevent the formation of calculus. Full-strength vinegar is acidic and can damage the surface of the teeth, causing acid erosion.
  • Gently brushing the dentures at night with a soft denture brush and liquid soap without You should use toothpaste to remove plaque.
  • Soaking the dentures in a cleaner overnight and brushing them in the morning again before wearing them throughout the day.
  • Hold the removable dentures over the sink with a small washcloth while brushing. The washcloth acts as a cushion if they drop. It is common for false teeth to break if dropped on the counter, on the floor, or into the sink.

False teeth could get discolored after some time, just like natural teeth. If your dentures crack or chip, they could only require a minor repair. In case your dentures break, you will need to replace them immediately.

How To Get Used To The Dentures

The tips for adjusting to new dentures include:

Following Your Post-Op Instructions

You will receive aftercare instructions from your dentist or prosthodontist after he/she fixes dentures in your mouth. You must adhere to the instructions for proper healing and comfort. Avoid removing the dentures from your mouth too often if you have removable dentures. You should wear dentures throughout the day to get used to them faster.

You must know that any new prosthesis will take time to adjust, regardless of the type of denture you choose. Your mouth will require time to get used to your new prosthesis, just as it takes time for your body to get used to a new pair of shoes or eyeglasses. Therefore, you must be patient and follow up with your dentist with any concerns or questions.

Consume Only Soft Foods In The Beginning

Eat only soft foods post-op in the first few days to avoid additional discomfort. You can cut up harder foods into small pieces and chew them on both sides. Avoid biting into a granola bar or an apple with your dentures since it can cause them to dislodge.

Practice Speaking And Exercise Facial Muscles

Avoid unwanted speech issues by practicing speaking aloud and also exercise your facial muscles. You could also sing because it will assist you to form words correctly.

Brush Your Gums And Dentures Regularly

Brushing your gums and dentures will help you avoid bad breath and bacteria buildup.

Use Denture Adhesive When Necessary

Often, a denture adhesive is used to soothe any irritation. Set up an appointment with your dentist if your dentures are not fitting correctly.

Placing Dentures On Receding Gums

You have receding gums when the gums that hold and protect your teeth start wearing away or pulling back. Several factors cause gum recession:

  • Diabetes
  • Gum disease
  • HIV
  • Age
  • Genetics
  • Hormonal changes
  • Accumulation of plaque
  • Bacterial infection
  • Smoking
  • Poor dental hygiene

Your gums can be inflamed and swollen due to the above factors, leading to pain, irritation, and problems while eating and talking.

Generally, dentures assist in solving missing teeth problems and can also make talking and eating easier. However, the issue of receding gums can make it hard to fix dentures. Receding gums is a major cause of loose or missing teeth. It is possible and beneficial to fix dentures into your receding gums, but your dentist must proceed cautiously.

Your dentist could still fix dentures in your mouth with receding gums, even without fixing your gums first. However, it would be better if the dentist fixed the receding gums issue first so the gums could gain enough strength to hold the dentures in place.

You need to consult your dentist and explore the possibility of obtaining dentures if you have receding gums. Dentures will assist you in replacing your lost teeth, either fully or partially.

 If you have lost teeth due to receding gums, you can reap the following benefits from dentures:

  • You do not need to replace your entire teeth at once if the issue is only with a couple of teeth
  • The process of replacing your teeth with dentures is relatively quick and comparatively painless
  • Since dentures can help hide the receding gums and the gaps arising from lost teeth, they can improve the appearance of your teeth and help you feel more confident.
  • While it could be a little expensive to acquire dentures, dentures are much more affordable than other dental replacement procedures.
  • Obtaining dentures can assist you in dealing with the problems that receding gums cause. You can chew your food more easily while speaking clearly without slurring or experiencing pain.

The Cost Of Dentures

Dentures vary in quality and cost. In addition, the pre-denture procedure each patient requires also varies. Currently, the cost of dentures is around $2,000 for partials and $55,000 for upper and lower All-On-4 dentures.

Dentures are customized to match the patient’s needs, meaning that no two cases are identical. When choosing the right dentures that suit your needs, it is important to understand that several factors will affect the cost of dentures. The factors include:

  • Whether you go for multiple or complete teeth replacement
  • How the dentist secures your dentures or the denture support
  • The denture design and fabrication
  • The material from which the dentures are made

Alternatives To Dentures

If you are not comfortable with dentures, our dentists will recommend an alternative. The common alternatives to dentures are dental bridges and dental implants. Your dentist will assess your dental needs and help you explore various tooth replacement options. When helping you choose the right replacement, the dentist will consider your oral health, missing teeth, and jawbone density.

Contact South Coast Dentistry Near Me

Maybe you are considering dentures, but you need more information about them. Perhaps your loved one needs dentures, but you have no idea where to start. If you need information on what dentures are, how dentures can improve your oral health, and what kind of care they require, we invite you to contact us. At South Coast Dentistry, Aliso Viejo, CA, our dentist will help you find the answers to all your questions. In addition, we will advise you whether you are a good candidate for dentures and, if yes, the ideal type. Contact us at 949-360-1021 to talk to one of our dentists.