Are Dentures Really Solutions of Last Resort?

Most of us assume that as we get old, all our teeth will fall out. As such, most people opt for dentures to cope with this. While it is true that dentures are for lost teeth, losing out teeth is not exactly part of aging. Through proper dental care, we can actually keep our teeth for a life time, without having to use dentures.



For those who have already lost their set of teeth, denture is indeed the last resort. Dentures are false teeth made with plastic as a replacement for missing or lost teeth. They can also come in either complete or partial type.



Complete dentures are custom made and can cover both your upper and lower jaw. This type of denture is placed directly on the gum covering the bone. Complete dentures can definitely affect your chewing and may take patience as you get used to it. Most people who use complete dentures might have to cut their food into smaller sizes to be able to chew properly.



Most Lake Forest dentists would still try to maintain some of the patient’s natural teeth and replace the lost teeth with dentures. This is because your natural teeth help preserve bone and help reduce pressure on other areas of the jaw. Also, your remaining teeth make the denture stable and less likely to be displaced, and help you get used to wearing dentures more easily.



Partial dentures, on the other hand, are made with a metal framework, plastic teeth and gums. Some dentures can be removed easily for cleaning purpose while fixed partial dentures, also known as bridges are cemented in place. Bridges, usually made entirely with porcelain or with porcelain covering a gold framework, are more expensive compared to removable partial dentures and should be supported by close healthy natural teeth. Special types of partial dentures such as Nesbit and Flipper denture are used in some Libertyville dental procedures.



Dental dentures can be placed through conventional method or through the use of immediate dentures. Conventional dentures are usually placed only after the teeth have been taken out and the gums have healed. The denture is made and fitted to the gums in at least four or more dental appointments within one to two months. While waiting for your gums to heal, some Lake Forest dentists may also suggest using immediate or temporary dentures which can be placed at the time of extraction.