OUR SMILES and oral health can be improved. Unlike Cro-Magnon man, the Etruscans, or George Washington, we have choices, albeit not the choices of our dreams. Missing teeth detract from our appearance, make chewing and speaking difficult, and place stress on our bites. Bridges, dentures, and implants are designed to replace missing teeth for health and cosmetic reasons. They keep our remaining teeth in their original position, redistribute chewing pressure, and help maintain the natural shape of our faces while supporting our lips and cheeks.

Without them, teeth with open spaces beside them can drift causing our bites to change, our remaining teeth to become loose, and our jawbones to be sore. With drifting, we may have additional decay and possible gum and jawbone problems that necessitate extractions. Missing teeth can cause the mouth to sink and the lips and cheeks to collapse. For these reasons, we want replacement teeth to improve our appearance, maintain the shape of our faces, make chewing easier, and preserve our remaining teeth and a correct bite.
When all of a person’s upper and/or lower teeth have been lost, one of the most affordable treatments available is a full (complete) denture. A total denture is composed of two parts: the teeth and the part that holds the teeth which is base. It (base) may be made of metal (chrome cobalt) or acrylic. The teeth are made of various shades to match the colour of the existing rest. Acrylic teeth are less breakable than porcelain and are made of the same material as their base. In many cases, only acrylic teeth can be used successfully.
Acrylic dentures can break if you drop them in the bathroom sink or on the floor. They can even break while you’re eating; it’s unlikely, but it can happen. If you can afford one, have an emergency denture made in case of an accidental break or crack.)
There are three basic shapes of teeth:
1. Square for people who have square faces
2. Tapering for people who have triangular shaped faces
3. Ovoid (egg-shaped) for people who have round or oval faces.
If you weren’t happy with your original set of teeth, this is the time to make changes. On average, it takes three appointments over four to five days to make a denture. First, a preliminary impression of the mouth is taken. Second, a trial fit and/or occlusal check (“bite”) is done and, if necessary, a final impression is taken. Third, the denture is delivered and if necessary, final adjustments (getting a correct bite) is completed.
Follow-up appointments are made available to take care of further adjustments, sore areas, and bite problems you may experience. Follow-up fees for problems may be included in the original price of your denture for the first three months. If you have irritation or sores in your mouth, if your denture breaks, chips, or cracks, or a tooth is knocked out, call your dentist immediately. Someone without proper training can do more damage than good to your denture. The repairs or adjustments can sometimes be made the same day in the dental office. Only do self repair on an emergency and temporary basis. If you make a mistake, you increase bone loss and irritate the soft tissues of your mouth. If you do irreparable damage, you’ll have the expense of another denture.
Super (or Crazy) glue cannot be used safely. Glue sold over the counter contains harmful chemical and should never be used internally because it releases formaldehyde as a breakdown product. That’s why caution and do not use internally are written on the label.
Several relines can be done before your denture has to be rebased or replaced. Dentures can last years for some people; other people need corrections annually. Relining involves adding another layer of plastic (acrylic gel) to the part of the denture that covers the roof of your mouth.
You may experience a slight burning sensation, which will dissipate slowly. The procedure takes less than an hour, and very little gagging is involved. Relining can be the same as a new denture in that you might have to return for adjustments. The denture may have a bitter, chemical taste and an odor for a while, so keep rinsing. Other repairs may require one day. Even if your denture does have to be sent to a lab, it will not be days before you get it back. The maximum time you may be without your denture is 24 hours.