Dentures should be considered if a person’s teeth have become so decayed or damaged that they are having a detrimental impact on their overall health. It has been proven that if a person is not healthy, their mouth will be the first to show signs of disease. Individuals who have gum disease, often have a receding gum line that can eventually result in the roots of their teeth showing. When this occurs, the gum has worn away to the point that the tissue no longer sports the teeth and may eventually begin to cause problems. When teeth start to become loose due to the deterioration of the gums, having the teeth pulled and dentures put in their place is often a sound idea.
Dentures are fitted in one of two ways. Each dentist is different and has their own personal choice. In some cases, the teeth are measured and both the upper and lower plates are created. When the teeth are ready to be used, the dentist will go in and pull the teeth and immediately put the denture in place so the gums will be able to heal around it. Another way to fit a set of dentures is to pull all of the teeth and then create a denture and put it in place after the gum tissue has healed. Either way, the gums and the dentures are form-fitted. Individuals who wear dentures should visit the dentist once a year to ensure they are still fitting properly and not sliding around.
A partial is a removable denture that is designed to only replace a small section of the teeth. Partials normally contain five to seven teeth, give or take one or two. Partials are designed in such a way that they snap into place between the teeth on either side of the opening. Unlike dental implants, a partial is held in place by wire anchors that wrap around the teeth that rest on both sides of where it is placed in the mouth. Partials can be removed and cleaned just like conventional dentures. They are manufactured from the same materials and will act just like regular teeth while the partial is in place.