Dentures on the Sunshine Coast
Dentures are removable prosthetic appliances designed to replace missing teeth. They can be used to replace all teeth in the upper or lower jaw, or to replace one or more missing teeth alongside natural teeth. Dentures may help support oral function such as chewing and speech, and can also improve the appearance of the smile.
Full dentures are custom made to fit the mouth and typically consist of a gum coloured base with artificial teeth positioned to sit on the gums. They are designed to be supported by the gums and surrounding oral structures.
Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. They replace one or more missing teeth and are supported by the remaining teeth and oral tissues. Partial dentures may be made from acrylic, metal, or a combination of both. Metal based partial dentures are often thinner and may offer increased durability compared to acrylic alternatives.
Creating a new set of dentures usually involves several appointments with one of our dentists or a dental prosthetist. This process allows for careful assessment, planning, and adjustment to achieve an appropriate fit.
For some patients who experience difficulty with denture stability, dental implants may be considered as a means of providing additional support for a denture. Implant supported dentures may assist with stability and function, however suitability varies and requires clinical assessment.
If a tooth or teeth need to be removed, an immediate denture can sometimes be made in advance and fitted shortly after the extraction. This may help avoid a period without teeth while healing takes place. Further adjustments or replacement may be required as healing progresses.
If you are considering dentures or would like to discuss your tooth replacement options, please contact our team to arrange a consultation with one of our dentists.
Types of dentures:
Dentures can be classified into three main types:
1. Complete Dentures:
These are used when all teeth in either the upper or lower jaw are missing. Complete dentures can be further divided into:
Conventional Dentures: Placed in the mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and the tissues have healed, which may take several months.
Immediate Dentures: Inserted immediately after the removal of the remaining teeth. Adjustments are often needed as the tissues heal and shrink.
2. Implant Retained Dentures:
An implant-supported denture is a denture attached to dental implants, providing greater stability
Due to the nature of Complete Dentures they can have some movement in them, particularly complete lower dentures. Through having implants placed into the lower jaw we are able to get a more secure denture leading to greater satisfaction for the patient.
Whilst most patients are happy with traditional dentures, some prefer the improved stability and strength achieved through implant retained dentures.
3. Partial Dentures:
These are used when some natural teeth remain. They consist of replacement teeth attached to a gum-colored plastic base, which is connected by a metal framework that holds the denture in place. Partial dentures not only fill in the spaces created by missing teeth but also prevent other teeth from changing position.
However, dentures often require a period of adjustment, regular maintenance, and sometimes need to be refitted due to changes in the mouth’s structure over time.
If you are looking for a solution for missing teeth, then find out more about Teeth On Implants.
