The loss of teeth can result in many other health issues. Patients with misaligned teeth might not be able to eat all they can or should because they are unable to chew well. This can then lead to issues as severe as malnutrition or indigestion.Missing teeth can also cause all other teeth in the jaw to shift, which changes the bite pattern and can lead to head, neck and jaw pain. Missing teeth can be replaced in several ways including fabrication and placement of a denture fitted by a dental professional.

There are two denture options for the patient who is missing teeth: A partial denture or overdenture to replace a couple of teeth, or a full denture which can replace all the teeth in either jaw. As well as being removable and intended for those who have lost a few teeth, partial dentures require abutting teeth to anchor them. While overdentures are removable, too, they use the roots of the existing teeth to stay in position. Dentures are not generic items, but are molded to fit the gum line and jaw shape of each patient. This process requires a comprehensive assessment of the gum line and facial bones of the patient to guarantee that the denture will fit. Sometimes, dentists may recommend extraction of the remaining teeth or reshaping of some parts of the jaw to fit the denture perfectly. If there is inflammation in the area following the extraction or reshaping treatments, a patient might have wear temporary dentures for up to a year before a mold is taken for the permanent denture.

Dentures can be made from an assortment of materials, and how much a denture will cost and how it will look depends largely on the material chosen by the patient. A polymer denture looks far more natural and is substantially stronger than one made from plastic.People generally bear the higher expense of getting a polymer denture because of its advantages. Some dentures will require the use of various metals to make them fit better, and this, too, will increase the cost. Hygienic maintenance of your denture is not difficult and can easily be integrated into your regular dental care regimen. Patients generally brush their natural teeth, gums and palate every day, and this can be done to dentures, as well. Dentists advise patients to remove their dentures at night, so saliva can do its job in keeping the mouth clean and so the dentures can be put in a germ-killing solution to remove bacteria. As the dentures sometimes irritate the gum and tissues, it is essential maintain good oral hygiene. Use of dentures without proper oral hygiene can result in infection and even more severe health problems.

Most denture wearers find that their dentures require a bit of maintenance every five to seven years, and will need to visit their dentist regularly to monitor the condition of their gums and their dentures.