Oral Health and Genetic Risk Factors

5 Common Patient Questions About Full Dentures

Patients that have few remaining healthy teeth often turn to full or complete dentures to restore the function and aesthetics of their smile. Before the transition to full dentures, many patients often wonder if they are making the right choice. If you have any questions about full dentures, make sure you ask your dentist.

The following questions address some of the most common issues that patients have before moving to full dentures.

1. Am I a good candidate for full dentures?

Full dentures usually replace one full arch of teeth in the upper or lower jaw. So if you have no teeth in your lower jaw, for instance, then full dentures are right for you. Full dentures are also cheaper than alternatives like dental implants, which makes them a good choice if your budget is small.

2. What exactly are full dentures?

Full dentures consist of an acrylic base, which mimics the look of natural gum tissue. For instance, the acrylic material is pink in colour, just like natural gum tissue. The base rests on your gum tissue once you place a denture into your mouth. And the false teeth attached to the base are usually made of acrylic.

3. Do full dentures look like real teeth?

A set of full dentures should look like natural teeth. But you should ensure that you check your chosen dentist's previous work before you commit to working with them. Dentists ensure that full dentures resemble the natural teeth of their patients by taking a mould of their patients' mouths before creating a full denture. This helps to achieve the right fit and look.

4. How long do full dentures last?

If you care for your dentures, they could last up to ten years. However, your oral hygiene and eating habits will have an effect on the longevity of your dentures. If you take your dentures out to clean them at night and store your dentures carefully when not using them, you can avoid damaging them. The better you care for your dentures, the longer they will last.

5. Are there any alternatives to full dentures?

Dental implants are your main alternative to dentures. But replacing a whole arch of teeth with single dental implants takes time and money. You could opt for the all-on-4 system instead, which uses four dental implants with a denture to replace a full arch of missing teeth.  

These are the most common questions that patients ask before they get full dentures. If you are considering complete dentures and you want to know more about them, talk to your dentist.  


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