Losing your teeth might seem like the end of the world, but it is not. Dentures can look and feel almost as natural as your own teeth if you choose the right one.
A 2018 study on the oral health status of long-term care residents revealed that 60% of them wore dentures. The study involved 559 residents from long-term care homes in provinces in Canada. These included Ontario, Alberta, New Brunswick, and Manitoba.
Of course, nothing compares to your natural teeth, but dentures can be the next best thing. So, below are some of the options your dentist may offer when it comes to choosing dentures.
Complete dentures
Complete dentures are appropriate when you have no teeth left, or the ones you have will need to go. The dentures replace both your upper and lower teeth. And, since there are no teeth to use as anchors, these removal dentures rest on the gums.
The base for traditional dentures is typically metal or acrylic. This will hold the denture teeth. For this type of denture, the teeth are usually acrylic or porcelain.
Complete dentures take about six weeks to make after taking a mold. But the steps leading up to wearing them may take as long as 12 months.
The time it takes will depend on whether teeth need extraction. Making a mold for the dentures will have to wait until after the gums have healed.
Partial dentures
Partial dentures replace gaps between the teeth. They use the existing teeth as an anchor for the metal framework that holds the dentures in place. The denture tooth or teeth typically attach to an acrylic base that simulates the colour of the gum. Partial dentures are also removable.
Implant-retained overdentures
The problem with complete dentures is that they can shift. They can even fall out at the most inconvenient times. Implant-retained overdentures eliminate this problem. This is because they snap onto solid dental implants in the gum. These dentures are still removable, but the implants keep them in place when worn. Implant-retained overdentures are more comfortable and functional than complete dentures. Also, they prevent bone loss.
Immediate Dentures
Immediate dentures are ready-made. They are temporary dentures many wear for convenience. Most patients also wear these after extraction, while the gum is healing. They are easy to refit as the gum heals. Once the complete dentures are ready, the temporary ones are no longer necessary.
Custom Dentures
Nothing is worse than patently false teeth. Custom dentures can look as natural as you want them to look as these follow your preferences and needs. You can change the shape, color, and texture of the teeth and gums in any way you want. Of course, this type of customization comes at a price.
New Types of Dentures in Winnipeg
All the types of dentures above have been around for a long time. But, significant advances in denture technology have come on the scene.
One is the BPS lower suction dentures for keeping lower dentures from floating. Another is 3D printed digital dentures, a kind of custom dentures but better. You can find these new types of dentures in Winnipeg.
With so many choices, it can be challenging to choose the right one. Comfort and cost are often on opposite sides of the debate. But that does not have to be the case. Consult with your dentist to get professional advice on the best one for your mouth and budget.
