Dentures

Dentures, also known as a complete denture, is an appliance that’s inserted into the mouth. It replaces natural teeth and helps to provide support for the cheeks and lips. Many dentures are made from acrylic, and then can be created in the following ways:

Conventional dentures are made after all of the teeth have been extracted and the gums have been given time to heal.
Immediate dentures are created and inserted right after the teeth are removed, and the gums heal underneath the denture.
Upper dentures, often made of flesh-colored acrylic, cover the palate or roof of the mouth.
Lower dentures are crafted in the shape of a horseshoe to leave room for the tongue.

The teeth on the dentures are generally made of porcelain, plastic, or a combination of the two. Dentures can also be attached to dental implants, which provides a more secure fit within the mouth.

Over the course of time, dentures will become naturally worn through regular use, and they will need to be either replaced or relined. Doing this keeps jaw alignment normal. As bone and gum ridges recede, or shrink due to tooth extraction, the alignment of the jaw will gradually change.

Regular dental examinations are still critically important to denture wearers so that the oral tissue can be routinely checked for any changes or diseases.