We should always do our best to protect our teeth. And we should continue to take great care of our teeth, for as long as we have them. However, even though we may and usually do take good care of our teeth for years on end, there can still be situations where we might lose our teeth or they might be removed professionally. This can be because of decay, genetics, aging, poor dental hygiene, accidents and injuries, etc.
As we age, there is a higher likelihood that we will notice a weakness and sensitivity in our bones. Osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and many others, these are all conditions of the bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments. What we often forget, however, is that our teeth are a type of bone. And our gums are the ligaments and tissues that help hold them in place and attach them to the jaw bone.
As we age, the resiliency and tensile strength of our bones and joints begin to decrease, and we become more prone to troubles with our teeth. As our original teeth begin to weaken, lose function, decay, and even fall out or necessitate removal, we find ourselves needing a replacement.
One such option is to make full use of dentures. A complete denture set is an entirely synthetic and man-made set of teeth that look just about exactly like the real thing. When a patient has many teeth missing, a denture set is a viable option for them. And it is the right option too, as a replacement for the missing teeth must be placed in the mouth in order to maintain proper dental structure and function.
How Do Complete Dentures Work?
Complete dentures are often the first choice when all of an individual’s original teeth have either fallen out or have been replaced. Dentures are made with painstaking attention to detail and care. If you or someone in your family decides to get fitted for a complete dental set, this decision will be met with satisfaction, as a complete dental set is the closest thing that the dental industry has to fully recreating one’s teeth from nothing.
Here’s how the process for getting dentures usually pans out:
- Your dentist will take plaster impressions of your jaw, carefully contouring the mold to match your current jawline and gum line.
- Next, your dentist will take careful measurements of your upper and lower jaw, all to determine how your bite operates, how much space there is between upper and lower jaw, etc. This is to determine the sizing scale of how large or small your dentures will need to be.
- Creating dentures is a highly customizable endeavor. One of the most important points here is to have dentures that will feel comfortable and natural. To ensure a good choice in dentures, your dentist will give you a few temporary sets of dentures to try out, all so that you and your dentist can determine which type of denture set will work best for you.
- Lastly, the final set of dentures is cast. This is done at a dental laboratory to make for a well-made set, an immaculate, custom-built set that uses mold impressions, measurements, and sometimes x-ray graphing to provide denture-makers with the information that they need to make your set and to make it well.
- The last step is that your dentist will help you fit the dentures. He or she will also teach you how to take care of them, how to use them, and how to maintain them so that they last as long as possible.
Dentures are a wonderful solution for you or for anyone in your family who needs a full-mouth makeover, so to speak. When dentures are first installed, it’s not uncommon to experience some discomfort, and even some mild irritation and soreness. The body has to adjust to a new and foreign item. Muscles in the mouth, gums, jaws, and tongue all need to adjust to the new set, and this will likely take some time. During this time period, be sure to visit your dentist again so that they can make some minor adjustments to your dentures.
Complete Dentures can Improve One's Quality of Living
If you or one of your family members is experiencing advanced stages of tooth loss, getting fitted for a complete set of dentures is likely the best choice. Be sure to consult your family dentist before making a final decision, but complete dentures do create a one-hundred and eighty-degree change in one’s mouth. And because they do, such denture sets can greatly improve the quality of living for you or your loved one. If you’re ready for a complete change for the better, contact your family dentist today to learn more about complete dentures.
