Dentures Singapore - Removable Dental Aids for an Improved Bite
Dentures
Dentures are a relatively low cost option that involves a painless process and helps in the restoration of facial aesthetics, as it supports sunken lips and cheeks. A well-fitted set of dentures can help you to eat, speak and smile better!
What are Dentures?
Also known as false teeth, dentures are a type of prosthetic device to replace missing teeth. In most cases, a set of dentures is made for the elderly, but there are many reasons that can cause a patient to become entirely or partially without teeth (edentulous).
Immediate dentures are used in situations when a tooth loss is planned, and the patient is given a denture immediately upon tooth extraction. This ensures the patient is never without a tooth especially in the front.
Causes of Tooth Loss
Periodontal diseases, tooth decay and other dental diseases relating to poor oral flora bacteria control (plaque control) are the biggest contributors to tooth loss. Development defects caused by malnutrition, genetic or congenital defects such as anodontia, which is characterised by an absence of one or several deciduous or permanent teeth, and trauma, can also cause loss of teeth.
Types of Dentures
There are partial dentures, who cater to patients who have lost some teeth, and complete or full dentures, catering to those who have lost either all upper or lower teeth.
A denture can be made of plastic (acrylic denture) or metal (cobalt chrome denture) or nylon (flexible denture).
It typically requires 5 visits at The Dental Studio in Singapore to receive your custom-designed dentures. This includes the initial visit, consultation, examination and diagnosis, followed by subsequent impressions of the mouth, bite registrations, try-out of the denture(s), issue and review. The number of visits may be more or less depending on the complexity of the case.
What to Expect For Your First Dentures
It will take some time to get used to the dentures when eating or talking. It is important to return for a review so that our dentist can help adjust for any areas of the gum and mucosa that are unable to withstand the functional pressure and cause pain.
Dentures do not last forever as our jaw bone resorps (shrinks), so a gap forms between the denture base and the bony ridge that it sits on. A denture would need to be remade every 5 to 8 years depending on the rate of your bone resorption.
How To Care For Your Dentures
- To avoid bacterial accumulation, dentures should be removed and cleaned carefully after every meal to remove any food particles.
- Dentures are not worn at night. Once removed, they should be brushed and wash thoroughly and placed in a container of water overnight.
- Dentures may lose their shape if they are left outside to dry, so they should always be stored in water when not worn.
- Use a soft hand brush or special denture brush and avoid hot water when cleaning your dentures.Denture cleansers can be used to remove stains and food odours from the dentures. Do seek the advise of our dentist for its proper use.
- Regular visits to the dentist are still required to maintain your existing teeth and to check the fit of your dentures.
An ill-fitting denture can cause food trap, resulting in higher risk of tooth decay, gum disease, fungal infections and increased rate of bone loss. It is hence advisable to discuss any discomfort with the dentist. Do not adjust the surfaces or parts of the dentures yourself – it may distort them and reduce their fit to your mouth. Your dentist will be able to help adjust the dentures for you.
Jawbones and gums naturally shrink, causing dentures to fit less securely, presenting difficulty chewing, possible soreness and chances for infections. It is important to visit the dentist regularly to have, not only the dentures, but also the overall oral tissue evaluated on a yearly basis.