Dentures: Are they for you?

Dentures are artificial teeth usually made of acrylic or porcelain used to replace missing teeth. They are typically removable but can be fixed in some cases. They can help people who have lost one or more teeth due to an accident, gum disease, tooth decay, or old age.

There are two common types of dentures.

• Complete Dentures: The entire set of upper and lower teeth is replaced with complete dentures, and these do not require any other dental work besides the removal of natural teeth.
• Partial Dentures: Partial dentures support your gums and hold your remaining natural teeth in place. They attach to the remaining teeth and cover the teeth that are missing. They are custom-fitted to your mouth and designed to look like your natural teeth.

Who needs dentures?

Dentures are for anyone who has teeth that are too damaged to be fixed with just a filling, crown, or veneer. Dentures are also essential for people whose teeth have been removed due to disease, injury, or other problems.

Some common problems that may require the use of dentures include:

• Cavities
• Broken or chipped teeth
• Gaps in your smile caused by missing teeth
• Injuries to your mouth
• Problems such as cysts or tumors that affect your oral tissues

What are dentures like?

Dentures are replacements for your natural teeth. They may be removable, or you may need to have them attached to dental implants or metal frameworks that will help support the dentures.

What are they made of?

Dentures can be made of acrylic, which looks very similar to natural teeth and is strong but flexible to adapt to your bite; or porcelain, which is more durable than acrylic yet still lightweight.

Who makes them?

Your prosthodontist will take impressions of your upper and lower teeth and send them away to a dental lab, where technicians craft the false teeth just for you.

Complete vs. partial dentures

A permanent replacement must be made when the primary teeth are lost entirely.

Complete Dentures

These are removable appliances that cover all or most of the oral cavity floor. They are usually referred to as 'false teeth'. They are held in place by suction when they are in the mouth. Complete dentures are made after all of the teeth have been removed.

There are two distinct types of complete dentures-immediate and conventional

Immediate dentures are made before your teeth are removed. The prosthodontist takes measurements and a mold of your teeth so that the dentures are ready to wear when your teeth are removed.

• Immediate dentures are held in place by suction when they are inserted into the oral cavity.  As your gums heal, the tissue shrinks, making the fit less secure, which means that they may become loose or fall off during eating or speaking. Once your gum tissue has completely healed, you will have to see your prosthodontist to have them relined.
• Conventional dentures are made after all of your teeth have been removed. Once your gums have healed, a mold will be taken of your mouth, and then the dentures will be fabricated. The disadvantage is that you will be without teeth until your gums have completely healed, which can take 8 to 12 weeks.

Partial dentures

The purpose of partial dentures is to replace some of your teeth or when your remaining teeth aren't strong enough to support a bridge. Partial dentures make up for the size and shape of the teeth that have been lost and replace gaps left from missing teeth. They are held in place by clasps that fit onto the remaining teeth.

Do I see my family dentist if I need dentures?

Your family dentist will refer you to a prosthodontist if you require dentures. They are dental specialists with four or more years of additional education beyond dental school and extensive post-graduate training in their field.

If you require a prosthodontist, it is essential to do your research to ensure you choose someone reputable. An online search of 'dentures Brentwood Calgary' or 'denture clinic University of Calgary' will provide you with a list of qualified prosthodontists in the area.

If you have questions about dentures, please call our office to book a consultation with our family dentist, Dr. Safina Jetha-Kurji. She can provide you with all of the information you need to make an informed decision.

If you are looking for dentures near Market Mall, stop by and visit us to inquire about the services we offer. We are located in the new community of University District in NW Calgary near the Market Mall and can be reached at (587) 391-7373.

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