Dentures
A denture is an appliance that is inserted in the mouth, replaces natural teeth, and provides support for the cheeks and lips.
Most dentures are made of acrylic and can be fabricated two different ways.
- A conventional denture is made after all teeth have been extracted and the tissues (gums) have healed.
- An immediate denture is fabricated and inserted immediately after the teeth are extracted, and the tissues are allowed to heal under the denture.
The teeth are made of plastic, porcelain, or a combination thereof. A denture can be fabricated to fit over the roots of endodontically (root canal) treated teeth, and a denture can sometimes be attached to dental implants to allow for a more secure fit of the appliance.
Over time a denture will wear and need to be replaced or relined in order to keep the jaw alignment normal. The alignment will slowly change as the bone and gum ridge recede or shrink due to the extraction of the teeth. Regular dental examinations are still important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissues can be checked for disease or change.