A denture is an appliance inserted into the mouth that replaces a single or multiple natural tooth. Most dentures are made one of two ways.
- Conventional Dentures: When all teeth have been extracted the patient is fitted for a full set of dentures. This happens after the gums and mouth have healed.
- Immediate Dentures: These dentures are fabricated and inserted immediately after the teeth are extracted and the tissues are allowed to heal under the denture.
An upper denture has acrylic that covers the roof of the mouth, while a lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to leave room for the tongue. The dentures are made of acrylic and can fit over either existing teeth or gums.
Dentures over a normal course of time will wear and 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 dental examinations are still important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissues can be checked for disease or change.
