Dentures – Center, TX

What Are Dentures Made Of?

Dentures are made up of two different parts: the base of the denture and the replacement teeth. Here’s what each one consists of:

• Denture Base: This is the structure that gives the replacement teeth support. It can be made from many different materials, like acrylic, nylon, porcelain, resin, and metal. Full dentures are usually made from acrylic because they can be tailored to match your natural gum tissue. Partial dentures may use metal clips with an acrylic base.
• Artificial Teeth: The replacement teeth are often made from resin or porcelain because they both have an appearance that resembles natural teeth. However, porcelain is generally the preferred option because it is durable and feels like a natural tooth. Because porcelain can be abrasive on adjacent teeth, it is typically only recommended for full dentures.

The Denture Creation Process

Because every denture is custom-made for the patient’s mouth, it requires a multi-step process. Here is what this usually looks like:

• Step 1: The dentist takes an impression of the patient’s upper and lower gums. This is used to create a plaster model that is a replica of the mouth. This is used to ensure that the final denture is the perfect size and shape. Measurements of the jaw are also taken at this time.
• Step 2: The cast is sent to the dental laboratory where the dentures are crafted. At this time, a wax version of the gumline is created.
• Step 3: Artificial teeth are set in place. A mechanical device called an “articulator” is used to attach the teeth with wax. Then, the lab technician makes minor adjustments to ensure that it closely matches your gums. The wax base is used for your finished denture.
• Step 4: The wax dentures are sent to the dental office for a fitting. After being approved by the patient and dentist, the dentures are sent back to the lab to complete the process.
• Step 5: Once returned to the lab, the dentures are boiled to melt away the wax portions. To do this, the dentures are placed in a holding device and plaster is poured to maintain the shape of them. The entire flask is placed in the hot water to melt the dentures.
• Step 6: Holes are made in the teeth so the material can attach to it. A liquid separator is also added to the plaster layer to keep the acrylic from sticking to it. Acrylic is then injected into the flask to replace the wax.
• Step 7: The plaster is carefully removed using special lab tools to reveal the denture. The acrylic dentures are then placed into an ultrasonic bath to remove any remaining plaster.
• Step 8: The excess acrylic is trimmed off the denture and then polished to perfection.
• Step 9: Once the dentures are ready, they are sent to the dental office and the patient returns for a fitting. If necessary, adjustments can be made to make sure that everything feels and looks great!

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

It can take some time to get used to new dentures. You may experience some minor soreness at first. Some patients also have difficulty speaking and eating at the beginning. However, with time, the mouth will adjust to your replacement teeth. You can speed up this adjustment process by sticking to soft foods and exercising your facial muscles. If you have any concerns regarding your dentures or if discomfort persists, don’t hesitate to reach out so we can help.

Psychological Benefits

If you don’t have any healthy teeth, this can be a challenging fact to accept. Many sufferers of extensive tooth loss experience negative effects on their self-esteem and self-confidence, leading to a higher risk of sadness and depression. By restoring your smile with dentures, you can feel better about your image, reducing anxieties about your appearance, speech articulation, chewing ability, and more!

Clearer Enunciation

Having gaps in your smile can make it more challenging to make certain sounds and say different words. To pronounce and perform your words, your lips and tongue need to be positioned in a specific way. With gaps in your smile, the tongue cannot sit against your teeth, making some words nearly impossible to say.

Improves Nutrition

Lots of nutrient-dense foods that you need to be healthy are tough in texture. This includes healthy proteins, fruits, and vegetables. If you can’t chew your food properly due to tooth loss, this can negatively impact your eating habits, ultimately resulting in indigestion and malnutrition. With dentures, you can chew your food more easily, allowing you to enjoy a more expansive diet.

Preserves Oral Health

If you still have some healthy teeth, dentures can help to keep them in better shape. By filling in the gaps with a partial denture, you can prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting around. Dentures also help to bear some of the weight of routine chewing, limiting the wear and tear of the existing teeth.

Expands Opportunities

Making a good impression is key when you are attending interviews, negotiating sales, and attending social gatherings. Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you, so having teeth that appear healthy will do nothing but help you. Studies have found that the probability of being employed is negatively associated with poor dental health.