Removable Dentures
Living without teeth can be difficult. But it needn’t be like this. Perth’s Aria Dental can craft beautiful, customised dentures that look and feel almost like the real thing.
Removable conventional dentures are the most affordable option for individuals missing some or all their teeth – and are still a popular option.
Removable dentures allow you to eat more foods and function better than you would without teeth. They also help give you back the natural fullness in your mouth that teeth provide.
In the right hands, you can have carefully crafted teeth that give a superior fit and are far more comfortable than some of the cheap, ill-fitting dentures on the market today.
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Dentures come in a variety of materials, and we generally classify them as follows:
Partial dentures
A partial (removable) denture is a removable dental appliance that replaces several missing teeth in either your upper or lower jaw. Partial dentures are not fixed in your mouth; you can remove them at any time. You may be recommended a partial denture if you have several missing teeth and want to improve your cosmetic appearance (by having the appearance of natural teeth) or to help with biting or chewing your food.
An acrylic material or chrome is used to make partial dentures. Acrylic dentures are more affordable, but not as strong, while chrome costs more but is long-lasting.
Full removable dentures
Also known as traditional dentures, these are the original dentures – used more frequently in previous days – and are not attached to implants. Full dentures replace all missing teeth in either the upper or lower jaw. They sit on top of your gumline to give the appearance of natural teeth.
A full upper denture has a flesh-coloured acrylic base which covers the roof of your mouth, or palate. A full lower denture is horseshoe-shaped and sits on the lower jaw. For some, lower dentures can feel a little loose and unstable.
Immediate dentures
Immediate dentures are given ‘immediately’ after you have had your badly damaged teeth extracted or removed. While your gums are healing, your immediate denture is adjusted with tissue conditioning materials to improve stability, fit and comfort in your mouth.
Immediate dentures need to be relined regularly as your gums change shape quite rapidly in the ensuing months, following extraction.
Implant-supported dentures
Implant-supported dentures are also known as dental implant overdentures. They are a solution for individuals missing all their upper or lower teeth. A vast improvement on traditional dentures, implant-supported dentures are attached, via an abutment, to dental implants which anchor the overdenture in place.
Implant-supported dentures offer many benefits over traditional dentures, as they can:
- Drastically improve stability
- Increase bite retention
- Improve comfort with less gum and cheek irritation
- Restore the ability to bite and chew food, allowing for a wider variety of foods to be eaten, consequently improving nutritional intake
Emergency denture repairs
If you have dropped, chipped or broken your denture, call us immediately. We have a dental laboratory on our premises and can usually repair your denture on the day.
Denture relines
When you lose your natural teeth, you also lose your tooth roots, which do more than hold your teeth in place. When biting or chewing your food, your tooth roots stimulate your jawbone, helping to keep it strong. Without your tooth roots, the jawbone starts to resorb or wither away, and your gumline changes shape. Consequently, as time passes, your denture won’t fit as well.
To remedy this problem, you’ll need to come in regularly for a denture reline. During a reline, our technicians will modify your denture so that it continues to fit nicely against your gums.
Disadvantages of dentures
Even with well-fitted and expertly-made dentures that are regularly relined and cared for, some people may not adapt to wearing their replacement teeth and will require dental implant treatment. Common problematic issues with conventional removable dentures include:
Bone resorption
As conventional denture wearers no longer have their natural teeth, they no longer have their natural teeth roots. As mentioned, tooth roots help to stimulate your jawbone, keeping it strong and helping prevent resorption. Therefore, long-term removable denture wearers usually suffer bone loss, with their lower faces starting to fall in with a ‘collapsed’ appearance.
Lack of retention and support
As dentures sit on the gum line and are not attached to any firm anchor, they can move around and not provide adequate support or stability. This instability makes everyday activities such as talking, eating, laughing or coughing more difficult.
Difficulty tasting food
Upper denture wearers may have trouble tasting their food as a conventional upper denture has an acrylic plate that covers the roof of the mouth. This plate feels bulky and also makes it more difficult to taste your food.
Pain or discomfort
Some denture wearers suffer irritation on the gums or sores in their cheeks from the constant movement.
With the advent of dental implants and their superiority to conventional dentures in comfort and functionality, conventional dentures are generally only considered as a cost-effective alternative or in instances where dental implants are not suitable.
Are there alternatives to dentures?
Yes, there are alternatives to conventional removable dentures. Dental implants can be used to support definitive (fixed) bridges, eliminating the need for a denture. The cost is usually greater, but the implants and bridges bare a closer resemblance to the feel of natural teeth, and can often be placed without compromising surrounding teeth or gum tissues. As a result, dental implants are becoming the preferred tooth replacement option.
If you’re looking at dental implants or alternative tooth replacement options, make an appointment today. Aria Dental will provide both a dental and financial assessment to assess your eligibility and options.
Our tooth replacement services offered to patients from anywhere in Western Australia. Due to our Perth CBD location, we are particularly accessible for patients in West Perth, Mt Lawley, Shenton Park, Nedlands, West leederville, Northbridge, East Perth, South Perth, North Perth, Subiaco and surrounding suburbs.