Dentures, otherwise known as false teeth, are dental prostheses used to replace lost or missing natural teeth of either one arch or both arches. They are made by the dentist to comfortably fit according to the patient’s jaw size and shape. Reasons you may need dentures There are many reasons for getting dentures which may be due to missing or lost permanent teeth or due to esthetic concerns. Some of the reasons that a person may need dentures are the following: Missing teeth: When a patient loses one or more teeth, then to replace them and prevent shifting and other problems, dentures may be the most practical and affordable option. Esthetics: Some patients are embarrassed to smile. Dentures are used for cosmetic reasons, even if their teeth are technically healthy. Loose or shifting teeth: When the patient has loose or shifting teeth, or the gaps between them are getting wider. These symptoms often indicate bone loss related to undiscovered periodontal disease. If bone loss is severe, tooth loss may become inevitable. Dentures are used to solve this issue. Bleeding or sore gums: If the patient has sore, reddened, or bleeding gums that may most likely lead to periodontitis, then it is recommended for these patients to get dentures. Types of dentures Different types of dentures available are the following: Complete Dentures Complete dentures, also known as full dentures, are dental prostheses designed to replace the missing natural teeth (completely edentulous patient) in one or both arches, be it upper or lower. Complete dentures are made up of an acrylic base material designed to replicate the color of the patient's gums. To this are attached artificial porcelain or metal teeth. These dentures are placed in the mouth securely. Generally, it takes about two to four months to be ready for placement after tooth extraction or loss. Complete dentures can be either conventional or immediate. Conventional: The conventional dentures are ready to be placed on the patient’s gums after about three to four months, which is required for the gum’s healing period. Immediate: As the name suggests, immediate dentures can be ‘immediately’ placed in the patient’s oral cavity after tooth extraction. Partial Dentures Partial dentures are made for patients who are missing some of their permanent teeth, i.e. partial edentulous patients, in a specific arch (upper or lower). Partial dentures are made up of different materials depending on the patient’s requirements and tooth morphology. It consists of an acrylic base plate or cast shaped, providing support for the replacement tooth, i.e. pontic tooth. They can also be attached to the adjacent teeth with the help of metal clasps or clips. Partial dentures are of two types. Fixed partial dentures: Fixed partial dentures are used for replacing one or more teeth in a row. This is done by placing custom-made crowns on the teeth surrounding the space and then placing the pontic tooth (replacement tooth) between them. This is done by using dental cement and thus permanently ‘fixing’ them on their position. Thus, the patient is unable to remove them at will. Removable partial dentures: Removable partial dentures are used to replace a significant amount of lost natural teeth. They are made onto a plastic, gum-colored base that can be easily placed in the mouth, and the patient can remove them at any time. All things considered, the only advantage that they have over fixed dentures is that the removable variety is cost-effective.

The benefits of getting partial dentures are: *The plastic base is attached to a metal framework that provides a stronger and sturdy option. *Dental cement is used to ensure that the dentures can withstand the biting forces. *Another key point is that they prevent the surrounding tooth from changing positions. Removable dentures Removable dentures are those that can be removed easily by the patient and can be put back on. There are both removable complete dentures and partial dentures. Removable dentures are placed in the oral cavity with the help of oral adhesives that come in either paste or powder form. Removable dentures should be removed at bedtime and soaked in water overnight. Removable dentures after long wear may become loose and have to be realigned and reshaped by the dentist. Fixed dentures Fixed dentures are those dentures that are fixed in place, as the name suggests. They cannot be willingly removed by the patient and are attached to the jaws permanently with the help of implants. They provide better resistance to chewing forces, unlike removable dentures that may slip and thus create an embarrassing situation for the patient. Steps in getting dentures The steps that are required in the process of making dentures are as follows: A dental examination The first step is to examine the patient's teeth and determine the state of the patient's oral health. During this examination, the dentist will search for any signs of infection, tooth decay, and previous dental work that can hinder the denture process and search for any other teeth that may need removal before placing the dentures. Making the dentures After the consultation, the dentist will take an impression of the teeth and measurements to ensure that the dentures fit the remaining teeth exactly. These results are then sent to a dental lab that will build the dentures to the specifications. Fitting the dentures After completion of the dentures, they are brought to the patient for a fitting to ensure the dentures fit without issue. It is made sure that the patient can use the dentures without pain or issue. Adapting to dentures While there will not be any pain, it may take some time to adapt to wearing the dentures as well as eating and speaking with the dentures, but the patient will eventually have the same function and control as with regular teeth.

How to care for the dentures It is advised to the patients to care for their dentures. Following are the ways to care for and maintain them: *Remove and rinse the dentures after eating. Run water over your dentures to remove food debris and other loose particles. *Handle your dentures carefully. Be sure you don't bend or damage the plastic or the clasps when cleaning. *Clean your mouth after removing your dentures. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush on natural teeth and gauze or a soft toothbrush to clean your tongue, cheeks, and roof of your mouth (palate). *Brush your dentures at least twice a day. Remove and gently clean your dentures daily. Soak and brush them with a soft-bristled brush and nonabrasive denture cleanser to remove food, plaque, and other deposits. *Soak dentures overnight. Most types of dentures need to stay moist to keep their shape. Place the dentures in water or a mild denture-soaking solution overnight. Check with your dentist about properly storing your dentures overnight. *Schedule regular dental check-ups. Your dentist will recommend how often to visit to have your dentures examined and professionally cleaned. Your dentist can help ensure a proper fit to prevent slippage and discomfort and also check the inside of your mouth to make sure it's healthy.