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dentures
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A denture or a
complete denture as it is often called, 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 immediately after the teeth are extracted
and the tissues are allowed to heal under the denture.
- An upper denture has acrylic, usually
flesh colored, that covers the palate (roof of the
mouth).
- A lower denture is shaped like
a horseshoe to leave room for the tongue.
The teeth are made of plastic, porcelain or a combination
thereof. Dentures can be fabricated to fit over endodonticly
treated teeth and a complete denture can be attached to
implants to allow for a more secure fit of the appliance.
Dentures over a normal course of time will wear and need
to be replaced or relined in order 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.
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