There may come a time in your life when you need a set of dentures to fill a gap or missing teeth. While your initial reaction might be of disdain, it’s important to know that today’s dentures look just like regular teeth, so they go completely undetected. People of all ages wear dentures now, including celebrities like Madonna and Ben Affleck. In fact, the misconception about dentures – that they’re only for grandparents – has long passed. To learn more about dentures and how they can benefit the appearance and functionality of your smile, check out these seven facts about dentures.
Dentures Are Custom Made
Dentures are custom made to achieve a perfect fit for your mouth. To get the right shape and size, dentures are made from impressions of your mouth that are sent to a lab. This ensures that they look just like your real teeth.
They Look and Feel Just Like Real Teeth
People won’t notice that you are wearing dentures. Today’s dentures not only look just like your real teeth, but they also feel like them as well. They will be designed to fit perfectly and to match your existing teeth and gum colour exactly.
There Are Two Types of Dentures
Dentures come in partial and full models. Partial dentures are best for when you’re missing one or more teeth or need to fill in a gap. They rely on the surrounding teeth to act as a base for the metal framework. A full set of dentures is used when your remaining teeth are removed or missing. These are held in place by suction, an oral adhesive or through implant support.
Dentures Need To Be Relined
Over time, your bone shape and jaw can change, which causes your dentures to loosen and move around. So every five to seven years you’ll need to have them relined or rebased to adjust for any changes that may take place.
Dentures Are More Fragile Than Teeth
Modern dentures are incredibly strong and durable, but they’re not indestructible or as hard as your teeth. To maintain their shape and condition, they must be properly cared for and handled delicately to prevent any damage or cracking.
Dentures Do More Than Improve Your Appearance
There are many benefits associated with dentures beyond the overall appearance of your smile. For one, they help to prevent the neighbouring teeth from shifting into the missing tooth area that can cause jaw issues and oral problems. They also improve the functionality of your teeth and help support the facial features to prevent sagging skin and cheeks.
Dentures Are Long Lasting
Modern dentures can last for decades if you take proper care of them. To get the most out of your dentures, you need to properly clean and maintain them daily just like your regular teeth to prevent any bacteria, plaque and tartar from harming the surrounding teeth and gums.
If you’d like to learn more about dentures and how to maintain them so that they last for years to come, contact us at Carlingwood Dental.
