604 Dental - Dentures, New / Repairs / Relines

Amalgam Fillings / Silver Mercury Fillings

White Fillings / Composite Fillings

What is a Denture?

A denture (also known a plate or false teeth) is a custom made removable appliance that replaces some or all of the missing teeth in the jaw. A complete denture (also known as a full plate) replaces all the teeth in the jaw, and a partial denture (also known as a partial plate) replaces some of the teeth in the jaw. An immediate denture (also knows as a same day plate) is a delivered to the patient immediately after the teeth are taken out so that the patient can eat and smile the same day the teeth are taken out.

What are Immediate Dentures?

An immediate denture (also knows as a same day plate) is delivered to the patient immediately after the teeth are taken out so that the patient can eat and smile right away. In some situations, complete extraction of all remaining teeth is unavoidable. An immediate denture can save the patient the embarrassment of living without teeth.

Impressions of the mouth are taken before the teeth are taken out, and the immediate denture is fabricated before the day of the extraction. After the teeth are extracted, the immediate dentures are inserted to create a natural smile that you can be proud of. Three months after the extraction, the immediate dentures are realigned to give an even more superior fit and feel.

It is important to follow all postoperative instructions after the teeth are extracted. The gums and bone will slowly shrink and recede when all the teeth have been extracted. That is why it is important to have regular check-ups and realignment of the dentures. It is also important to let the dentist know if there are sore spots on the denture or if the bite of the denture feels uneven. The dentist will be able to quickly perform a denture adjustment to make it more comfortable.

What are Dentures Made of?

A partial denture is designed to replace one or more missing teeth in the jaw. Well made partial dentures give a natural appearance, provide comfort when eating and clarity in speech. The three most common partial material are:

1. Metal Framework

A metal frame partial denture (also known as a cast partial denture) has a metal frame to support the pink acrylic gums an the white acrylic teeth. There are metal hooks that grab onto the support teeth. The advantages of the metal frame is that it is very durable and that more artificial teeth can be added to the denture in the future. The disadvantages of the metal frame is that it is more expensive due to the precious metals and it has poor esthetics due to the metal hooks.

2. Acrylic Framework

An acrylic frame partial denture (also known as an acrylic base partial denture) has a pink acrylic base to support the white acrylic teeth that is sitting on top. There are metal hooks that grab onto the support teeth. The advantages of the acrylic base partial denture is that it is less expensive and there is less metal showing when compared to the metal framework. The disadvantage of the acrylic frame partial denture is that it can be uncomfortable because the hard acrylic is pressing up against the soft and tender gums.

3. Vinyl Framework

A vinyl frame partial denture (also known as a flexible plate or flexible partial denture) has a pink flexible vinyl base to support the white acrylic teeth. The clasps and hooks of the vinyl partial denture is pink and matches the gums. The advantages of the vinyl partial denture is that it is less expensive, there is no metal showing and it is made of a very soft and cushioning vinyl material when compared to the meal framework. The major disadvantage is that teeth cannot be added to the vinyl partial denture, because it is very difficult to repair the denture.

A complete denture is designed to replace form and function in the jaw that is missing all teeth. Well made complete dentures should look natural, feel comfortable and allow the patient to function. The base of the complete denture is typically made of pink acrylic, and the teeth are made of white acrylic.

What is a Denture Repair?

A denture repair is required when the denture is cracked, fractured or damaged. A dental mould may be required to repair the denture, and the denture may be sent to a specialized dental laboratory to perform the repair. Some tips to prevent premature damage to the denture include:

1. Always keep the dentures in the protective case if it is not being worn. The case will protect the denture in case if falls, and it will keep it safe from pets.

2. Always keep the denture moist and never use mouth rinse to clean the denture. Acrylic is more prone to cracks and fracture when it is dried out. It is best to keep the denture in water to prevent it from drying out. Never soak the denture in mouth rinse because the chemicals in the mouth rinse can damage the denture.

3. Only allow a dentist to adjust the denture. Some patients try to adjust the denture by themselves and may end up irreparably damaging the denture. It is best to let the dentist adjust the denture with proper tools.

What is a Denture Reline?

A denture reline (also known as a denture realignment or a denture rebasing) is a procedure where an ill-fitting denture is realigned to the gums to improve the fit and feel of the denture. When teeth are missing, the gums and jaw bone shrink over time causing the dentures to fit poorly. A denture reline may be required every year to ensure that the denture is still fitting properly.

Denture relines can be done the same day! In the morning appointment, a mould of the gums is taken and sent along with the denture to a specialized dental laboratory to perform the realignment. In the afternoon appointment, the relined denture is delivered to the patient, and adjustments are made to ensure the denture feels comfortable and the bite feels balanced. Denture reline is an economical way to make sure dentures continue to fit well.