Dentures: what You Need to Know
When you lose a few or all your teeth, you need to replace them to maintain the right speech, chewing function, and even the way your face appears.
When we talk about dentures, we are simply looking at the prosthetic devices designed to replace missing teeth in your mouth. The tissues of the mouth support dentures.
Dentures can be referred to using different names:
- Dental prosthesis
- Dental plate
- Stay plate
- False teeth
- Gnashers
Dentures come in different types, and each has its role depending on the number of teeth missing and the need for the dentures at that moment.
The difference also comes in as per the material used to hold the fake teeth in place. These include acrylic or metal frames. The metal frames usually make use of metal clasps that hold onto adjacent teeth or implants for support.
The dentures’ comfort will depend entirely on the supporting tissue – the bones, muscle, tongue, and shape of the oral cavity.
After the teeth are extracted to be replaced by dentures, you will first have to use immediate dentures or temporary ones.
Denture Cost: Factors that Affect the Cost of Dentures
We all know that cost is a huge factor when it comes to fitting dentures. This section aims to let you know what factors affect the dentures’ cost so that you understand too when what happens.
Here are the factors:
The Number of Missing Teeth
You will pay more for dentures that have more teeth than less. For instance, if you are replacing all your upper teeth, you stand to pay more than replacing just a few teeth.
This is because the material that goes into making the denture is way more than the one used to make a denture with fewer teeth.
The Location of the Missing Tooth
A denture designed for anterior teeth that are missing is more expensive than a denture designed to replace posterior teeth.
Type of denture Needed
The cost of a fixed (permanent) denture is higher than the cost of a removable denture.
The Support Needed
Dentures supported by implants are much more expensive than those that are supported by natural teeth or oral tissue.
Type of Retention Used for the Removable Dentures
Implant retained removable dentures will cost more than precision attachment removable dentures, especially when you add the implant procedure’s cost.
The rigidity of the Support Framework
Flexible dentures will cost more than the dentures that are cast with a metal framework.
Eating with the Dentures in Place
Eating usually takes a little practice. After the dentures are installed, you need to begin with soft foods that are cut into small pieces.
You will have to chew slowly using all the sides of the mouth so that you don’t dislodge the denture.
As you get more and more used to the denture, you can add other foods until you get the normal healthy diet.
Caring for Your dentures
Dentures can break if they drop or upon impact. Make sure you clean them over a soft surface or a bowl of water if you drop them.
To clean them, follow a set rule whereby you brush them, soak then brush them again. Remove any food particles from the dentures using a soft brush before you soak them.
Make sure you clean them daily. When not using them, place the dentures in cold water. Avoid brushing them with abrasive cleaners, as this might end up spoiling them.
Make sure you go for regular dental checks to make sure the dentures are working perfectly.