Dentures
Types of Dentures
Generally there are four different types of dentures. The type that is best for you is something that you should discuss with your dentist. Here is a brief summary of each type and their advantages and disadvantages.
Implant retained dentures, remind me of snapping blocks. Not because they are similar to a child’s play thing, but because of the way they work. They literally snap into place! This is because of an anchor system that is placed in the jaw bone. These anchors must be put in by an oral surgeon and given time to heal. This procedure can take time, but the advantages are wonderful.
Most patients that have lower dentures have a hard time eating because of the pain that is caused by movement. Implant retained dentures have absolutely no movement once they are snapped into place. In general patients are very happy with them and seem to think that they feel more like their natural teeth than regular dentures.
CuSil Dentures are great for patients who do not have a fully edentulous arch (that is not all the teeth are missing). This is because they can be made with hole in them to allow for the patients natural teeth. This is helpful in securing the denture and avoiding movement. CuSil dentures are helpful in stabilizing and extending the life of any loose teeth as well. For this reason they are great for people who plan to get full dentures in the future, but want to keep their natural teeth for as long as possible.
Standard Dentures are what most of us think of when we think of dentures. These dentures are used when the patient has no teeth in the mouth. They are made by taking an impression of the upper and lower ridges or the mouth. From this impression the dentist is able to make a model of your mouth. This model is sent to a lab where they will customize a set of dentures to your teeth. They will then be sent back to your dentist. When you come in to try these dentures in your dentist will make adjustment to them to make sure they are fitting well and give you instruction on how to care for them.
Standard dentures now come with a great feature in case they are misplaced. You can have your name and phone number placed in an inconspicuous place inside of them. This can be especially helpful for people who are in the early stages of dementia.
Immediate dentures are dentures that you can get fairly quickly, usually the same day. This is because the impressions for these dentures are taken before all the teeth are extracted. When you go into the office the dental team will take an impression of your teeth and send it to an in house lab. The lab gets right to work on your dentures and in the mean time you are having your remaining teeth extracted. The lab is able to do this by carefully analyzing the ridges of the gums and the position of your natural teeth. You are likely to leave the office with your dentures that day.
The downside to immediate dentures is that in some cases they don’t seem to be as well made as other options. They sometimes only last three years or so. Often times these dentures are referred to as temporary dentures.
Denture Discomfort
If your dentures do not fit well it can be very painful. Sometimes this can be due to the dentures being new and the mouth adjusting but in many cases the dentures themselves should be re-evaluated else yo could end up with mouth sores and possibly infection - which results in you being unable to wear the dentures for long periods of time.
How to Clean Dentures
There are many commercial products out there that are targeted for denture wearers. These are great products that you can use to clean your dentures. There are also some at home methods you can use as well. You might try soaking your dentures over night in a glass of water with a little bit of white vinegar added. You could also just scrub your dentures with dish soap as well. Either way you will need to use a toothbrush to remove any build up on your dentures. It is also important that you make sure to rinse your dentures very well before you put them back in your mouth.
Cost of Dentures
The cost of dentures can vary from dentist to dentist. You should definitely discuss with your dentist the cost of the procedure before you get started. A good estimation is between £ 500 and £ 1100 for a full set of upper and lower dentures if done privately and £198 if obtained through the NHS.
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