Dentures are just one option for replacing missing teeth; others include bridges and dental implants. Each option have their own risk and benefits, and should be carefully considered.

There are several varieties of dentures and the best option for you will depend on your individual situation.

How Do Dentures Work?

Dentures are false teeth made of a gum-colored plastic base that fits over the remaining bone and gum that formerly held the teeth.  Dentures are held in place primarily by the suctioning effect against the gum and bone. The upper denture also gets extra support from the large surface area of the roof of the mouth (palate), which generally makes it more stable.

Some people do have problems adapting to conventional dentures and an implant retained denture may be a more suitable option if you don’t have much bone to support a denture or if you are unable to adapt to a denture.

Initially, wearing dentures may require some getting used to especially in terms of talking and eating.  Over time, the muscles, nerves and ligaments of the mouth learn to work in new ways and they can learn to adapt to the dentures.

Types of Dentures

IMMEDIATE DENTURES: 

These are usually a temporary means of helping you transition to successful denture wearing and are placed immediately after tooth removal. However because of the changes in your muscles and the natural shrinkage of gums these will not fit as well as permanent dentures which are made when the healing is complete. They do, however, offer you new teeth right away, and will give you time to adjust

CONVENTIONAL FULL DENTURES: 

When the gum and bone has fully healed and are stable, dentures can be made that are better fitting. These are carefully made to look as much like your own natural teeth as possible, and are able to function properly in your mouth for a long time. NHS dentures are fabricated for function and stability and are manufactured using NHS dental laboratories. The look of the dentures are reasonable.

Private dentures are fabricated by Private dental laboratories, using material better suited for more cosmetic results.

IMPLANT-SUPPORTED OVERDENTURES: 

To improve the stability of dentures, it is possible for them to be anchored using dental implants. Many people find this option offers a great balance of comfort, functionality and value. Implants and the dentures fabricated for implants are not available on the NHS, unless the strict criteria set out by the Manchester Clinical Commissioning Group.

PLASTIC DENTURES

These dentures sit on the gums and may have stainless steel wire clips to hold the denture in place. Some movement may be present whilst eating as the denture sits on the gums and moves with the softness of the gums. This movement can sometimes the clasps to rub on the natural teeth causing wear and in severe cases the loss of the tooth, so naturally we avoid clasps on this type of denture whenever possible.

METAL DENTURES

These are cast metal dentures that are clipped to the natural teeth with clasps and most importantly incorporate rests on the teeth. Metal partial dentures are far superior to plastic partial dentures because they are thinner and the gums stay healthier because the biting force is shared between the gums and the remaining teeth, and similar to implants may not available on the NHS unless specific criteria are met.

Valplast® (flexible) dentures

Unlike more traditional ridged, bulky and unstable dental materials Valplast flexible partial dentures are made from a flexible plastic material which fits neatly into your mouth and is virtually invisible, making it feel more comfortable and secure. They do NOT require any unsightly metal clasps to keep them in place giving it a more natural look.

Looking after your dentures:

With good care and attention dentures can last for many years. Here are some tips to help keep your dentures clean and functional:

• Dentures should be removed at night (unless advised otherwise) so that they can be cleaned and your gums can rest.

• Brush your denture with a soft toothbrush or a special denture brush. Never use normal toothpaste- special denture cream is available.

• If you do have any remaining teeth then make sure you brush these – as well as your gums to make sure they stay healthy.

• Ensure you attend regular dental check-ups to maintain the health of your mouth and ensure that your denture always fits comfortably and securely.

Common problems

Some people believe their ability to eat foods such as apples will not be affected when dentures replace their natural teeth. Unfortunately fulfilling such high expectations is extremely difficult and almost impossible, usually because of the lack of gum and bone in ones mouth.

It is therefore important to understand some of the more common difficulties encountered during the denture wearing process, in order to avoid disappointment.

GUM SHRINKAGE

When natural teeth are lost, a bony socket remains, which is where the denture rests on. The bone and gum will naturally and inevitably shrink because of the tooth loss and continues throughout life. This process means that a denture made after teeth removal may fit well but subsequent dentures may fit less well as the gum and bone shrink away throughout life.

PROBLEMS WITH LOWER DENTURES

Many issues around dentures are usually received about lower dentures. Lower false teeth have to work in a very mobile environment, where the lips, cheeks and tongue have tendency to try and lift the denture (when speaking or eating). The lower jaw is also much smaller than the upper, as it is prone to excessive shrinking. Causing a lower denture to move about or trap food underneath as the ridge shrinks.

A successful denture wearer will, with time, learn to control their face muscles, which is key when wearing new dentures. Please note that if you push your lower denture around with your tongue, or try to put your tongue underneath the appliance, you will find that the denture will lift and loosen.

HOW LONG SHOULD A DENTURE LAST?

A denture should be reviewed at least every year by your dentist to check for wear, its’ fit or any other adjustments that may be needed.

A denture is mainly worn down by eating, but the base will not adjust to your constantly changing gums. Even if you denture feels fine you must have your mouth checked regularly to check for any mouth infections or other conditions that may have arisen since your last visit.

If old dentures become loose, they should be replaced or relined.

ELDERLY PATIENTS

The mouths of elderly patients can often be irritated, sore, or easily damaged. The gums frequently react unfavourably to the pressure of denture and healing is often slower than in younger individuals. Elderly patients also take longer to adapt to a new denture so a little more perseverance and patience is needed.

DO I NEED TO USE A DENTURE FIXATIVE?

Denture fixatives are not only useful for loose fitting dentures, but can also give you extra security and confidence by providing a more comfortable fit. It may stop you worrying about any loosening or slipping of the denture and help to stop bits of food from getting under the denture.