MacHealers - Dental Dentures in Türkiye
Dental Ventures: Exploring Denture Options and More
Dentures, often referred to as false teeth, are prosthetic devices employed for the replacement of missing teeth. These removable appliances can be meticulously crafted to closely resemble your natural teeth. In this guide, we will delve into the intricacies of dentures, including their definition, suitability, associated costs, procedural aspects, post-treatment recovery, maintenance requirements, and available alternatives, among other pertinent topics.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are prosthetic teeth designed to replace those lost due to decay, trauma, or disease. They enable individuals to speak, eat, and smile with confidence.
Acrylic is the primary material used to make dentures, often reinforced with metal for increased strength. The metal components might be concealed within the acrylic, making them imperceptible.
Denture Varieties:
- Complete Dentures: Utilized when all teeth are absent in either the upper or lower jaw. Saliva typically assists in securing them, but for those with reduced salivary flow, denture adhesives can be beneficial.
- Partial Dentures: Advised when only some teeth are missing. They maintain the alignment of remaining teeth by filling in the gaps. These dentures have a gum-colored base, often supported by metal frameworks, and are anchored by clasps connected to natural teeth. Some partial dentures, considered permanent, are implant-supported, though removable versions are also available.
- Single Tooth Dentures: Designed to replace just one tooth, these dentures come with a base that attaches to adjacent teeth via metal or acrylic clasps. They can cater to both anterior and posterior tooth replacement. When the denture has a metal framework, it's often referred to as a chrome denture, with cobalt chrome being a prevalent choice.
- Snap-On Dentures: These are implant-supported dentures that can be unclipped and removed as needed. Their main advantage is their stability. However, due to the necessity for implants, they might be on the pricier side.
- Flexible Dentures: Crafted from a malleable plastic, these dentures lack metal clasps. They are primarily made of skin-friendly nylon and are known for their comfort. Their limitations include being predominantly partials, tougher adjustability, lesser durability, and often a higher cost than traditional dentures.
- Palateless Dentures: Lacking a covering for the palate, these dentures are preferable for those with a sensitive gag reflex. They might need implant support to ensure stability.
In conclusion, dentures come in various types to cater to individual needs, offering both functional and aesthetic benefits.
Who Should Consider Dentures?
Dentures are ideal for individuals seeking to regain the full functionality of their mouth.
The absence of teeth can diminish one's self-esteem and lead to challenges in speaking and eating. Moreover, missing teeth can result in a facial structure that appears collapsed or recessed. Dentures can effectively address both functional and aesthetic concerns related to tooth loss.
How Does the Denture Process Work?
Acquiring dentures typically requires multiple appointments. Initially, the dentist will evaluate your gum health, and an X-ray might be taken to get a detailed view.
From this examination, the dentist will decide if your mouth can support the artificial teeth. If any remaining teeth are beyond preservation, they might be removed to accommodate a full denture.
Regardless of the denture type you're pursuing, the dentist will start by measuring the distance between your jaws and their alignment. Subsequently, an impression of your mouth will be taken using a dental mold.
A dental technician from our team will then create a preliminary model based on these details. This model is used to ensure a comfortable fit and to finalize any necessary adjustments.
Once you've confirmed the model's fit and chosen a shade, the definitive denture will be crafted. There are primarily two kinds of dentures:
- Immediate Dentures: Prior to any extractions, the dentist will capture your mouth's measurements and jaw impressions. Post-extraction, you'll receive a provisional denture to wear during the gum healing phase. However, it's vital to recognize that gums and bones may undergo changes during this period. Consequently, the denture's base may need relining, or the entire denture might need replacement. This process necessitates subsequent visits for refinements.
- Conventional Dentures: These are fabricated 2-3 months post-extraction, ensuring the gums have sufficiently healed and stabilized. These dentures are tailored to fit snugly from the outset.
Denture Recovery and Outcome
Post the final denture placement, your dentist might recommend wearing it continuously, including during sleep. This initial period helps you adjust to the new sensation, as it can feel unfamiliar and slightly uncomfortable at first.
However, in the long run, it's usually suggested to refrain from wearing them during sleep, giving your gums a chance to breathe and minimizing the risk of infections.
Denture Durability
The lifespan of dentures varies based on their material and your maintenance routine. On average, dentures can serve you for about 5-8 years before requiring replacement.
As time progresses, due to natural changes in the jawbone and gum tissues (often resulting from the absence of natural tooth stimulation), your dentures might need periodic adjustments. It's crucial to have them examined during your routine dental visits or sooner if you notice any discomfort or changes in fit.
Denture Maintenance and Care
Dentures replicate the appearance of natural teeth, but they lack the sensitivity to detect extreme temperatures. Always test your food's temperature to avoid burns or discomfort.
Remember, dentures aren't designed to handle hard objects, like bones, which can cause damage.
To maintain their shape, dentures require moisture. While worn, your saliva suffices. When not in use, store them in a dentist-recommended denture solution or plain water.
While focusing on denture care, don't neglect overall oral hygiene. Brush twice daily, targeting the palate, tongue, and gums. If you have partial dentures, pay special attention to areas beneath the clasps to prevent decay. Minimize consumption of sugary and sticky foods.
Cleaning Your Dentures
Follow these steps for optimal denture cleaning:
- Begin cleaning over a water-filled basin or atop a towel-laid counter to cushion any accidental drops and prevent breakage.
- Rinse with lukewarm water, avoiding hot water as it might distort the denture. Employ a soft-bristled brush for thorough cleaning, ensuring stain removal.
- Refrain from using regular toothpaste, as its abrasive nature can create scratches, leading to food and bacteria build-up. Instead, a mild hand soap is recommended. The American College of Prosthodontics advises against immersing dentures in sodium hypochlorite for extended periods. Limit it to 10 minutes.
- Ideally, rinse your dentures post every meal and undertake a thorough cleaning twice daily.
BEFORE & AFTER
View transformations in our patients' before and after photos.
The upper dentures benefit from the suction created by the palate, aiding stability. Lower dentures lack this advantage, often leading to fit issues.
The acclimation to dentures typically ranges from several weeks to a month. For smoother adaptation, continuous wear in the early stages is encouraged.
Initiate with softer foods and smaller portions. Gradually, you'll regain confidence to resume regular diet. Regardless, avoid overly hard, hot, or sharp foods and skip chewing gum, which can adhere to and potentially damage the dentures.
Removable dentures don't offer the stimulation required to prevent jawbone loss, potentially leading to facial structure changes. Consultation with your dentist about potential repercussions and solutions is crucial.
Dentures, made primarily of plastic, can't be whitened using standard teeth-whitening products. Maintaining their brightness is best achieved with consistent cleaning.
Replace or repair your dentures if:
- They produce a 'clicking' sound during speech.
- Noticeable wear and tear are apparent.
- Their fit deteriorates, leading to slippage or discomfort.
- There's a decline in oral health.
In Türkiye, procuring dentures typically spans about 10 days. Initially, an impression is made. The subsequent appointment involves assessing the denture's fit and shade. During the final visit, the denture is positioned.
During the implant placement for permanent dentures, local anaesthesia ensures a pain-free experience. Any post-procedure discomfort is usually manageable with prescribed painkillers.