An overwhelming amount of information is available regarding dental treatments for tooth loss including complete dentures. This is likely to cause a lot of confusion regarding the choices you would have to make for your treatment.

Therefore, basic information always helps to negate your doubts and provide clarity in making your treatment plan.

Post-effects of tooth loss:

1. A fibrous diet is required to provide good nutrition and aid in the digestion process. People having missing teeth tend to avoid such hard foods including carbs and meats thereby devoiding them of essentials nutrients.

2. Missing teeth decreases the full appearance of the face thereby giving a face an old, sucked-in, and saggy look

Thus, loss of teeth can cause poor quality of life.

How to Select the Right Type of Denture:

There are many types of dentures available. It is best to consult your prosthodontist, who would provide you the best option based on your dental needs.

There are 4 types of dentures:

1. Complete Dentures
2. Partial dentures
3. Immediate Dentures
4. Implant-supported Dentures

Complete Dentures:

These are the dentures that are fabricated when all the teeth in the jaw are lost. They are made of acrylic. They can be made on one or both jaws depending on teeth missing. These dentures fit better on the upper jaw than the lower jaw due to the suction mechanism.

These dentures are placed on gums which is well supported by the jaw bone which has no remaining teeth. It is usually made of acrylic(plastic). The upper dentures usually have retention and fit than the lower ones.

Partial Dentures:

Partial dentures are fabricated to replace a few missing teeth. Based on the materials used there are three types of partial dentures:-

• Metal Dentures: They are strong and wear-resistant. As they are made of metal, they are thinner and more adaptable. They also provide good hygiene and if required they can be easily adjusted.
• Acrylic (Plastic) Dentures: These are rigid and few may have clasps resting on the existing teeth. Proper oral hygiene maintenance is required.
• Flexible Dentures: These dentures are super flexible and light thereby making this fracture resistant. It also doesn’t have the metal clasps resting on teeth thereby decreasing chances of damage to other teeth and providing better oral hygiene.
  

Immediate Denture:

The dentures given immediately after teeth removal are called immediate dentures. The treatment will need multiple visits to adjust the dentures as gums keep healing and reshaping with due course of time.

Implant-Supported Dentures:

Dental implants are tiny screw-like structures mimicking the roots of the natural teeth. The dentures are placed over these implants’ are extremely aesthetic, provide maximum function, and easy to clean and adjust.

Once you have chosen your denture, it will require multiple appointments where the dentist will take detailed impressions of your mouth and fabricate the dentures on a jaw simulator

Getting adjusted to your new set of teeth requires patience and tenacity, it will take a few weeks to a month over time you will get used to it. A regular check-up with your dentist is important during this phase.