Full Mouth Dentures: For an everlasting and confident smile

Dentures Introduction

The evolution of dentistry and dental treatments have come a long way over the decades. New research and advanced technologies have helped medical scientists develop real human teeth in their laboratories. These artificial set of human teeth are nothing but full mouth dentures. Known as false teeth, these dentures are prosthetic implants constructed to replace missing teeth.

Dentures are the only effective substitute available today for a person who has lost his only set of permanent teeth. Modern full mouth dentures are more comfortable, attractive and significantly more functional than ever before. Apart from dentures, Dental Bridges and Dental Implants are the other two substitutes available for replacing missing teeth.

However, the dentures are cheaper and functional than dental bridges or implants.

What are Dentures?

Dentures are artificial teeth that replace missing or damaged teeth. Dentures are not permanently attached to the jawbone and can be removed.

Dentures are mainly available in two types:

Partial Dentures:

These dentures are perfect for replacing some of your missing teeth. The partial denture uses a metal framework to hold the denture tightly and intact with your remaining teeth.

Complete Dentures:

A dentist recommends full mouth dentures or complete dentures when all of your teeth are missing. A person with complete dentures must remove them during the night for cleaning.

Materials used for making dentures

Acrylic:

Cost-effective and comfortable fit in the mouth, Acrylic dentures are moldable and are also light in weight. With Acrylic dentures, the jaw movement is pretty smoother.

Porcelain:

Dentures made of porcelain look more discreet and natural. Plus, these dentures have high resistance power and remain perfectly aligned for a longer period.

Porcelain or Acrylic Dentures? Which one should I Use?

While selecting a denture, one must consider the following features:

Strength:

Although highly resistant and strong in nature, porcelain teeth are more likely to develop a break or easily crack as compared to Acrylic teeth.

Bone Loss:

Being light, Acrylic dentures reduces the pressure on the bone while eating food.

Wear:

Acrylic teeth are highly susceptible to chewing, grinding, clenching or tapping teeth, thus causing them to wither. On the other hand, Porcelain teeth are long lasting and remain intact for a longer period.

Cleaning:

Porcelain teeth are easy to clean and needs to be handled carefully. Acrylic teeth have tiny microscopic pits that hold food particles, making them difficult to clean.

Myths about dentures:

• It’s difficult to eat with Dentures on:

Initially, you may find it difficult to eat and chew the food. Getting comfortable with dentures takes a couple of days. After that, you will be able to eat in the same manner as before.

• Dentures impact your smile:

To prepare the dentures, the size of your teeth and the shape of your mouth needs to be measured. So, your smile may subtly change but others won’t notice that about you.

• Lifetime Solution:

If you fail to give proper attention, dentures may not last for a longer period. However, studies have shown that with proper care and hygiene, dentures are sure to last long for 8 to 10 years.

Dentures are noticeable:

Porcelain dentures look more natural and often remain unnoticed. However, if not properly fitted or cleaned properly, people are sure to notice dentures.

No frequent visits to the Dentist:

To keep a check on the overall functionality of your dentures, a regular visit is highly important. The dentists will examine how strong your dentures are and accordingly suggest whether you need to change them or not.

Caring for My Full mouth Dentures:

Caring for your dentures is surprisingly easy, but the following do’s and don’ts have to be taken care off:

DO’S:

• Your dentist will advise you to take your dentures at night and soak them in water or solution
• In the morning, clean and completely rinse your dentures before putting them back in your mouth
• Clean your teeth with a brush that has soft bristles
• Use toothpaste as recommended by your dentist
• Maintain proper oral hygiene
• Avoid sticky foods
• Do brush your teeth after having lunch and dinner

DON’TS:

• Do not put unnecessary pressure while eating or chewing the food
• Brush your teeth slowly and softly
• Toothpicks and other sharp objects like safety pins and needles should be avoided
• When taken out at night, make sure you do not drop them as they might break
• Always visit your dentist, if your dentures are loosed. Do not try to fix them by yourself.

Three simple steps to take care of the FULL MOUTH dentures:

If you wish your dentures to last for a longer period of time, you need to follow these simple steps:

Keep Your Dentures Clean:

Brushing your dentures is similar to brushing your natural teeth. But, dentures are to be taken out and then cleaned them with a soft brush. One of the best ways to clean your dentures is to place them over a towel or in a bowl. If you have been using dentures for a longer period of time, then do visit your dentist for a proper cleanup to remove any stains or leftover food particles in the dentures. Most importantly, do brush your dentures twice a day to keep them fresh and free from bacteria.

Overnight Protection:

When you soak your dentures overnight in a solution as prescribed by your dentist, make sure that you clean them thoroughly with plenty of warm water in the morning. Any chemical presence on your denture can cause an infection in your mouth.

Keep an eye on Your Dentures:

Dentures are made up of artificial materials and are not 100% resilient. So, you must check them regularly.

Do I Need Partial or Complete Dentures?

Complete dentures or Full mouth dentures are usually preferred when almost all of your natural teeth are missing or damaged. The dentist also recommends full mouth dentures for people with only a few, say 4 or 5 teeth left in your mouth. For complete dentures, the dentist will pull out the remaining teeth. Since the size and shape of the mouth vary from person to person.

On the other hand, dentists suggest partial denture when only a few missing teeth need replacement. The missing teeth get filled with artificial teeth encased within a flexible and durable plastic frame.

In some cases, partial dentures are fixed. You can sleep with partial dentures on at night. The option of choosing fixed or removable dentures depends on your preference.

How full mouth dentures are created and placed?

Step 1: The process begins with your dentist taking the impressions of your jaw as the shape and size of the mouth, which apparently is different for every person.

Step 2: Based on the measurements taken, the prosthodontist prepares a wax model to match the shape and size of your mouth or not.

Step 3: A final denture is prepared when the wax model turns out to be accurate and precise.

Step 4: The dentist will ask you to try out the prepared denture and see if any adjustments need to be made or not.

Advantages of wearing Full mouth Dentures:

Tooth loss is common in all human beings. Some people choose to deal with the missing teeth by adopting a few lifestyle changes like restricting themselves from eating junk food while many prefer dentures to enjoy the freedom of eating everything like before.

Here are the top three Benefits of Dentures:

Preserve your facial structure: Your facial structure mainly depends on your bone structure. When almost all or a maximum number of your teeth are lost, your bone structure changes drastically, which in turn changes the shape of your face.

Also, when multiple teeth are missing on a single row (either upper or lower jaw), your facial tissues begin to sag and move inwards.

Dentures help restore your original face structure, because prosthodontist design dentures by considering the dimensions of your bone structure.

Freedom to eat your favourite food: When you lose many teeth, say 5 or 6 in a single row, it often becomes difficult in chewing certain foods especially junk ones. With full mouth dentures, you can eat normally and will have complete freedom of enjoying all kinds of food as before. In the beginning, you may experience slight pain while chewing the food but once you get comfortable with your dentures, there is no pain or struggle.

Boosts your confidence: Most people are extremely self-conscious about their smiles and often love to flaunt their beautiful smile especially while taking selfies and photos. Psychologists have concluded that many patients undergo stress because of lost teeth. Such people often keep themselves away from talking to other people and prefer complete isolation. Dentures can help you restore your lost smile so that you can laugh, and talk to your heart’s content without feeling ashamed or embarrassed.

Disadvantages of wearing Full mouth Dentures:

• Dentures when not properly cared for and cleaned can cause infection and inflammation
• Some people might never get comfortable eating with dentures on
• Also, there are not many qualified and skilled cosmetic dentists in the world
• Full mouth Dentures are often on the expensive side
• Dentures do not last for a longer period of time and need replacement

Cost of Full Mouth Dentures:

The cost of the denture you choose depends on various factors such as:

• The type of material used for preparing the denture. Acrylic dentures are quite affordable than complete dentures
• The specialist you prefer to choose from. For example, if your dentist is highly reputable and works for a world-class medical association, the charges are definitely high
• Additional procedures involved before putting the denture on like extractions of remaining teeth or refining the bone tissues

Frequently asked about Full mouth dentures

What are the best dentures made of?

As per the National Institute of Health, acrylic resin is the most preferred material for preparing dentures. Acrylic teeth are light in weight and are also comfortable in the mouth.

Can One Sleep With Dentures On?

Sleeping with dentures is fine, but dentists advise you to take them out at night, for your gums and jawbones get some space to relax.

Do Dentures Hurt?

No, full mouth dentures do not hurt. Unaligned and loose fitted dentures cause discomfort and pain.

Can you get your teeth pulled and get dentures the same day?

One can get immediate dentures after pulling out teeth on the same day. But, dentists usually ask you to take a gap of 10 to 15 days until the pain caused by pulling teeth reduces completely.

Dentures are to kept in water overnight? True or False?

Yes, one needs to take their dentures out at night and soak them in water or solution prescribed by the dentist. This not helps in cleaning your dentures easily the next morning but is also important for overall dental health.

Which are better dentures or dental implants?

Dental implants need strong and healthy gums as a base and are common when only 1 or 2 teeth needs replacement. Dentures are common when a more number of teeth are missing.

How much do complete dentures cost?

The average cost of full mouth dentures depends on various factors like the type of dentures used and the country you live in. For example, in abroad countries like the USA, the price starts from $300.

Can dentures look like real teeth?

Today’s dentures are prepared using advanced tools and techniques, making them look more natural.

Conclusion:

Your smile is the foremost thing people notice about yourself. Medical studies have confirmed that a smile has a psychological effect on a person and can boost a person’s confidence and self-esteem. On the other hand, missing teeth make a person feel ashamed, shy and embarrassed, which in turn leads to stress, anxiety and depression.

Full mouth dentures are by far the best option to replace teeth and gums and restore your long lost happy and confident smile