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Dentures
A denture is a partial or complete set of artificial (false) teeth and gum tissue fabricated and shaped to one’s mouth to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissue.
Edentulism (loss of teeth) is present throughout human evolution, and early dentures made of animal and human teeth were being constructed as far back as 700 BC in Northern Italy.
Getting dentures made to replace missing teeth, however, dramatically increases with the industrialization of England in the late 1800s, when British per capita sugar consumption increases 500%. False teeth were made from ivory, porcelain and even dead men human teeth.
In the 20th century, new technologies and materials in dentistry allowed for a much better quality and lower priced dentures.
Most dentures today are made of acrylic resin, porcelain, or combination of both. Traditionally, porcelain was preferred because of its durability, translucent and natural appearance. Porcelain is better used for full dentures, as it can wear down the natural teeth on contact over a period of time. Another disadvantage of porcelain dentures is that they can break easily if dropped on a hard surface. Today’s acrylic dentures are safe, naturally looking, high quality, and comfortable to wear. They could be as strong as porcelain dentures and are made from the best advanced materials possible. They’re a better choice for people with less gum tissue as they provide more support.
Over a period of time, the gum tissue in the mouth and the bony ridges, which used to hold the teeth, change due to the lack of teeth. When dentures are placed on these ridges, they compress on the underlying tissue, resulting in loss of bone and gum volume. This process is known as resorption or atrophy (wasting of the bone), which is an ongoing process. Therefore, it is recommended to replace your dentures every 3-6 years. When your dentures don’t fit comfortably in your mouth, it is important to call your dentist and having them relined.
The two main types of dentures are full and partial. In addition, there are: immediate dentures, custom dentures, snap in dentures, implant supported dentures, over dentures and economy (generic) dentures.
Our dentists at CV Dental Care will evaluate your oral health and discuss your options in getting the best possible solution to restore your smile.