Cosmetic Dentistry: Dentures Designed for that Natural Looking Smile

WHEN DO YOU RESORT TO DENTURES?

Well, while a dental implant is the best option if you have a missing tooth, dentures come to the rescue especially when you have an entire set of teeth missing instead of just one or two teeth here and there. Also, if one possesses weak jaws with not adequate bone mass in their jaws, opt for dentures instead of dental implants as the latter need strong jawbones for implants to be posted.

DENTURES IN A BRIEF…

Dental Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth which may be broadly categorized in two variants - PARTIAL DENTURES and COMPLETE DENTURES. Partial dentures are required when a tooth or preferably a set of teeth is missing whereas complete dentures become essential when the entire set of teeth needs to be replaced. The set of teeth (denture) which might be ‘conventional’ or ‘immediate’, is attached to a pink or gum-colored base made of plastic. [an ‘immediate’, as opposed to the ‘conventional’ denture, is one that is made even before pulling out the original teeth, such that the replacement can be placed immediately after extraction.] The plastic base holds the denture in place inside your mouth.

The use of dentures can be traced back to the ancient ages. Back in 700B.C, the Etruscans in Northern Italy were known to use animal teeth to replace their own missing teeth! Even some sort of dentures were manufactured by our forefathers using ivory tasks of hippopotamus, human bone and metal fasteners. Nevertheless, with the advancement of both age and technology, dentures today, look more natural than ever.

FEW PROS & CONS OF DENTURES

Ø Dentures need to be sternly secured with the adhesive. If not, they may slip out of place while eating or speaking.

Ø If not fitted properly, they may lead to tooth decay or even spread infection.

Ø Dentures need to be pulled out regularly in order to be cleaned and properly maintained.

Ø For partial denture to fit in, one or more natural teeth should be present and that too in healthy condition.

Why are dental implants scoring more nowadays?

In the recent past dental implants have scored well over dentures or bridges despite the latter being much more costlier than the former. But why so?

Ø Implants are able to give the support to hold cemented bridges

Ø They (implants) are more permanent in nature as they are fixed deep inside the jaw bone.

Ø Dentures are not fixed. The fact that they need to be removed regularly for proper care contributes to the wear and tear of the same, much earlier than implants

Ø Dentures need to go for a replacement much earlier than implants or implant supported bridges.