Dentures in Margate

Dentures are a method of tooth replacement consisting of removable artificial teeth attached to a plastic base. These artificial teeth help assist you with regular teeth functions like chewing and speaking as well as restoring the appearance of your smile.

Dentures are typically made out of a hard resin material and they are created from impressions that are taken of your teeth and a record of your jaw and how your bite is aligned. This allows the dentures to perfectly fit onto your gums without causing irritation or discomfort.

Partial dentures are intended to replace one or multiple missing teeth. They typically use acrylic materials for the gum and the false teeth, and are supported by a metal framework which clips onto your healthy surrounding teeth. If you are missing a few of your natural teeth and are not interested in long-term replacement with dental bridges or dental implants, partial dentures may be right for you.

Full-mouth dentures, also known as full-arch dentures, are used to replace the entire upper, lower, or both arches of your teeth. They are only recommended if you are missing most or all of your teeth, or if your teeth are severely damaged and cannot be saved with other procedures. This is because full-mouth dentures must fit directly over your gums, and treatment requires the removal of any healthy teeth.

There are two main distinctions between denture types and that is whether you need full or partial dentures. Partial dentures are for people who are missing a few teeth but still have the majority of their teeth.

These dentures are attached to your teeth via metal clasps and are connected through a metal framework. Partial dentures are a great alternative to dental bridges when your surrounding teeth aren’t healthy enough to act as a supporting structure for the bridge.

Full dentures are designed to replace an entire arch or both arches of teeth. They are reserved for people who are missing the majority of their teeth. This is because full arch dentures require the extraction of the patient’s remaining healthy teeth. 

These dentures act as a complete tooth replacement and are secured into place through suction or a dental adhesive. After your teeth are extracted, your gums will have to completely heal before fitting your dentures, which can take 8-12 weeks.

Rather than being supported and held in place by friction, implant-supported dentures attach to a series of 4-6 dental implants in the upper or lower arch of your teeth. The denture snaps into place and is held securely by these dental implants, providing a strong, stable hold.
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Implant-supported dentures look and feel natural and they will not shift or move while you eat, speak, or chew. This treatment also helps support the strength of the jaw by transmitting bite force into your jaw bone. In turn, this prevents bone resorption, which is a common issue among patients who wear traditional dentures. If you are missing most or all of your natural teeth but you still have a strong jaw, you may be a good candidate for implant-supported dentures. To learn more, schedule a consultation with our Margate dentists today at Lifestyle Dental Care.

The average denture lifespan is 7-10 years. However, this is dependent on a lot of factors, such as whether you have full or partial dentures if you practice good oral hygiene, how your dentures fit, and if you regularly attend dental visits.
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Dentures are considered temporary tooth replacements because they need to be continually replaced and are prone to chipping or cracking from improper care or eating excessively hard foods. 
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Since dentures do not preserve the jawbone as dental implants do, you will experience bone loss and changes in the facial structure over time. This may mean that you will need to have your dentures adjusted or remade in the future.

The best way to increase the longevity of your dentures is to take care of them, practice good oral hygiene, and take precautions when eating. You should never wear removable dentures overnight as the dentures can become dislodged while you sleep and become damaged. 
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You should also remove your dentures after eating and rinse them out to prevent a buildup of food particles and plaque. You should also clean your mouth with a soft-bristle toothbrush after removing your dentures. 
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To clean your dentures, regularly soak and use a soft-bristle toothbrush and non-abrasive denture cleaner to gently scrub them. You should also soak them in a denture cleaning solution overnight. Make sure you rinse the dentures out before placing them back in your mouth.
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Finally, make sure that you attend regular dental visits for cleanings and checkups. Most people should visit the dentist every 6 months but those with dentures, especially full dentures, may need to see the dentist as often as every 3 months. 

Inform your dentist if your dentures feel ill-fitting as this can irritate your gums, cause pain, and allow bacteria to become trapped in between the dentures. Interested in partial or full dentures? Contact us at Lifestyle Dental Care to learn more or schedule a consultation with Dr. Philippe Jean today.