A comprehensive guide to dentures and other false teeth solutions
Dentures have come a long way since your grandparents had them (some are now even 3D printed). And while you can still get full dentures which take up the entire roof of your mouth, there are other sleeker – albeit more expensive – designs and options you might be interested in.
Dentures are customized to replace your missing teeth, and they come in various sizes. For instance, if you only need to replace a few teeth in the front, you can get a partial plate, and if you're missing all of your teeth, you can get a full set. There's also a hybrid option, and we'll explain what those are below.
We spoke to Dr. Edmond Hewlett, a consumer advisor spokesperson for the American Dental Association and professor at UCLA School of Dentistry to find out all the types of dentures available, and how to decide what you need. For more on oral health, here's what you need to know about gum disease.
What denture options are available?
There are two common types of dentures you can get: a full set or a partial plate, both of which are fully removable. Hewlett says with full dentures, the pink part that sits on your gums is made out of high strength acrylic plastic, and the teeth are also acrylic with polymer designed to be very strong and hold up over time against wear. Full dentures cover the entire roof of the mouth.
If you only need to replace a few teeth, partial dentures will be the best option for you. Partial plates will often have a metal base that holds on to the area where the missing teeth go, Hewlett explains. The rest of the framework sits against the patient's teeth and clips in place, hooking on to the remaining teeth.
Hewlett notes there's also a hybrid option available, which includes installing implants made out of a high strength ceramic called zirconia. He says you can start out with two implants, for example, and combine them with removable dentures. Once you have at least four implants – two on top, two on the bottom – the dentist can make a permanent denture that's attached to the implants so you don't have to remove it. Note that the dentist will take it out periodically to clean it.
From there, he says you can continue to add more implants, and the wear and tear will be minimal because it's much stronger compared to the acrylic material. He also notes that zirconia looks more natural than acrylic.
If you do go with a full denture, Hewlett notes there's an adjustment period if you've never worn them before. "Full dentures are radically different from having your natural teeth," he says.
How can someone determine the type or style they want? Does the dentist generally make this decision based on oral health?
The dentist and patient typically work together to decide what's best for the patient based on their oral health. "It's the dentist's responsibility to explain to the patient the concerns about the missing teeth and inform them of the options available," Hewlett says. Based on that, the patient can make an informed decision about whether they want a full or partial set.
It's important for dentists to understand what the patient hopes to achieve when it comes to the look of the dentures and what their expectations are, he explains. For instance, you should ask the dentist what your teeth will look like, or about the aesthetic appearance of the denture type you choose.
Based on the condition of your current teeth and bone or gum health, the dentist will go over the choices you have, and how closely they can meet your expectations. This is because they have to go with the best option that supports the function of the dentures, Hewlett says, which includes chewing and speaking.
"Dentists are always keeping this in mind as they are working with the lab to design the dentures. We pay attention to the bite to determine the way the dentures will work when the patient is chewing," he explains.
How do dentists determine the shape of dentures?
If patients have some remaining teeth, Hewlett notes they can base the shape and size of the teeth on what's already there. For example, if you already know you'll need a full denture in the future to replace teeth that can't be saved, it's best to plan ahead of time so the dentist has a good idea of the shape and size of your teeth.
For many patients who don't have any teeth, they typically already have dentures, Hewlett explains. But if they're unhappy with what they have, the dentist can work from the existing dentures to find what the patient does and doesn't like.
While the dentures are in the process of getting assembled, there's a midway step where the dentures can be tried on using a wax mold, he says. At this point, anything can be changed if you don't like the shape or color of the dentures. This is also a good time to test out your S and F sounds to make sure you can speak properly while wearing them.
How do dentures stay in place? Are they hard to take out?
Dentures are pretty easy to take out, Hewlett says. It's making sure they stay in place that can be tricky. Full dentures, when designed correctly, should offer a good amount of suction on the roof of the mouth. But on the lower gum line, he says there's no way to get suction because there's not a flat area where the dentures can rest. Instead, you have to rely on them to sit on the bone remaining on the lower jaw. This still lets the tongue make normal movements without flipping the denture out of place.
There's also denture adhesive if you need it, but Hewlett says the dentist will generally rework the denture to get a better fit.
While making the molds, Hewlett says they have the patients move their tongue around to see if it affects the borders and edges of the dentures to ensure a good fit.
Partial dentures are much easier to work with because they have a clasp designed to fit and click onto the remaining teeth and hold the denture in place.
What's the care and maintenance for dentures?
Dentures need to be cleaned as often as regular teeth, though you'll use a denture brush with bigger bristles. You can also soak them in cleaning solutions, like the dissolvable tablets, at night to help keep them clean.
Hewlett notes that you shouldn't wear your removable dentures at night while you're sleeping because you need to allow your gum tissue to recover and "spring back" from having dentures in all day. This includes full dentures, partial plates and removable dentures that clip on to implants.
He says you should also place them in water when you remove them for long periods of time so they don't lose their shape.
How often should a person visit the dentist if they have dentures?
How regularly you visit the dentist all depends on your situation. If you still have some teeth left, Hewlett says you should still continue to make appointments the recommended two times per year to get examined.
However, if you have full dentures, visiting the dentist once a year is fine unless the dentures aren't working for you or if you're feeling pressure from the dentures. During this time, your dentist can refit the denture, and if necessary, add a bit of acrylic material to the denture and fit it more tightly against the bone and gum.
What are the benefits of having dentures?
If you're missing any teeth, having dentures can help you gain self confidence and get your smile back. Self-esteem is extremely important when it comes to replacing your teeth. Dentures can also help with your speech so you can speak like you did when you had teeth, Hewlett says.
Additionally, and connected to self-esteem, having dentures can help with your mental health, he says. For instance, if you've been missing your front teeth for some time, you may not feel as confident when smiling for photos or meeting new people, which can bring you down. Having dentures or implants can remove that feeling and bring your confidence back.
As for oral health, Hewlett says dentures don't help preserve bone structure. "Dentures rest on the gumline and when you're chewing, there's pressure on that bone. This can cause the bone to shrink slowly over time, causing the denture to loosen up a bit, Hewlett explains. "Ill fitting dentures can cause the bone to shrink away faster."