Today´s blog, part 2 of a 6-part series.
Conventional Full Denture
If you are edentulous (completely without teeth) then you would be a candidate for a conventional full denture. Once the teeth have been removed and the gums have healed, typically between 2-4 months, a conventional denture can be made.
Your dentist will begin the process of a conventional denture by taking a series of impressions of the oral tissue that will support the denture. The dental lab will make models of the patient´s mouth based on the impressions. Between the dental lab and the dentist they will slowly build a denture or a set of dentures that will fit your mouth and your mouth only. All of the impressions will go toward building a set of dentures that have a perfect fit. They will be sized to fit the shape of your face and mouth and the color will be in keeping with your complexion and age. A good bite will be established to ensure they are not only esthetically pleasing, but also functional.
This process usually takes about 5 weeks from start to finish and begins after all the healing has taken place and the tissue and bone has been remodeled. Once the patient starts to wear the denture and get used to them, they will most likely notice that further tweaking is needed to make them more comfortable as the gums can be sore in places. That is something that can be done chairside. Remember adjustments to the denture are an important part of the process and it is important to do those adjustments sooner rather than later as otherwise it will continue to irritate the oral tissue.
I can´t be without teeth. What do I do?
While you are waiting for the bone to remodel and gums to heal you would receive an immediate denture so that you have something to wear the same day the teeth are extracted. This type of denture is made before the teeth are extracted and fitted immediately after.
It won´t fit the bone and gum tissue as well as a conventional denture as the tissue is continually healing, therefore, it will require adjustments throughout the healing process.
It is important to remember that an immediate denture is a temporary appliance until the conventional denture can be made. That is made after all the healing and remodeling of the gum and bone has taken place.
When a person is missing teeth, s/he can experience a range of issues from the obvious ones of having difficulty eating and speaking to feelings of insecurity and ill-confidence because the face does not retain its shape. Without the support of teeth the mouth collapses and the lower portion of the face shrinks. A denture suddenly fills out the face as it provides your jaw the height to bring your face back to its normal shape.
Everything is new and can take some time to get used to. If you are new to dentures you may need to learn how to put the denture in and take it out. You may also need to learn how to speak, eat and drink. This too is part of the process.
Having an immediate denture solves two problems; it helps restore a person’s appearance and gives the patient oral function at the same time. Hence its name, immediate denture.