Your mouth is a critical component of your overall health. However, when an accident, a disease, or poor oral health care has left you with only a few healthy teeth or none at all, then dentures may be an option to replace your missing teeth.
At Northgate Dental Centre, we can address those gaps in your smile so you can regain your confidence and stop your remaining teeth from shifting and affecting your jaw and face shape. At Northgate Dental Centre, you can expect the journey to include some or all of the following steps:
- X-Ray and consultation
- Surgery
- Fitting and adjusting
- Post-op checkup
According to the Canadian Dental Association (CDA), dentures are artificial replacements for your natural teeth and gums. Dentures are available as partials or complete. For both types of dentures, your dentist or specialist makes a model of your teeth by taking impressions. The models are used to custom-make your dentures.
Partial dentures, also called removable partial denture prostheses, are made up of one or more artificial teeth held in place by clasps that fit onto nearby natural teeth. You can take the partial denture out yourself for cleaning and at night.
There are two types of complete dentures: immediate dentures and conventional dentures. Immediate dentures are made before your teeth are removed. Your dentist takes measurements and makes models of your jaws during your first visit. Once your teeth are extracted, your dentist inserts the immediate dentures. Conventional dentures are made and inserted into your mouth after your teeth have been extracted and the gums and jaw tissues have healed.
For your dentures to feel comfortable in your mouth, they have to fit correctly. They need to provide:
Retention – the ability of your dentures to resist forces that try to pull them away from your gums and palate vertically. It depends on the seal created between your gums and dentures, which forms a vacuum that causes your dentures to stay in place.
Support – the stability of your dentures when subjected to vertical forces pushing them towards your gums and other tissues. Well-made dentures are supposed to rest evenly on your gums and palate, but those with improper support may tilt or rock when you bite down, resulting in sores and rapid and uneven jawbone loss.
Stability – The ability of your dentures to resist forces exerted from the sides. In some cases, this can be an indication of rapid jawbone loss. Ultimately, you will find it hard to chew or talk.
Properly fitting dentures are comfortable and long-lasting, allowing you to continue with most of your regular oral functions. If you have oral health concerns or want to discuss your options for dentures, contact Northgate Dental Centre at 780-457-5800 today.
