Dentures

A denture, or a complete denture, is an appliance that is inserted in the mouth, replaces natural teeth and provides support for the cheeks and lips.

Most dentures are made of acrylic and can be fabricated two different ways.

• A conventional denture is made after all teeth have been extracted and the tissues (gums) have healed.

• An immediate denture is fabricated and inserted at the time the teeth are extracted, allowing the tissues to heal under the denture.

Made of flesh-colored acrylic, an upper denture covers the palate (roof of the mouth) and a lower denture is u-shaped to leave room for the tongue. Dentures can be fabricated to fit over endodontically treated teeth or attached to dental implants to allow for a more secure fit of the appliance. 

Dentures will wear over time and eventually need to be replaced or relined to keep the jaw alignment normal. The alignment will slowly change as the bone and gum ridges recede or shrink due to the extraction of the teeth.

Regular dentist examinations are still important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissues can be checked for disease or change.