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Denture Preparation And Placement Explained

Dental dentures can be a great help for people who no longer have their lower or upper teeth, or both. The right denture prep is important to ensure that dentures fit properly. Here, you will learn what dentures are, and how they are prepared correctly.

Dentures are devices placed on the gums, where the teeth used to be. The surrounding hard and soft tissues support the denture. Normally, dentures are composed of polymethylmethacrylate acrylic powder that is tissue-shaded. Acrylic teeth may be found in various colors and shapes.

Checking the Teeth

When a person seeks to have dentures fitted, the dentist evaluates first the condition of his bone structure and gums. The dentist may also recommend other necessary treatments before fitting the dentures in Rockville MD. In some instances, surgery is necessary to take away any teeth left over before placing the dentures.

After confirming that the patient really needs dentures, the dentist will make an impression of the patient's gums to identify every crevice and ridge to ensure that the dentures will fit properly.

Immediate Dentures

For instances wherein teeth should be extracted, an immediate denture is normally positioned to ensure that the extraction sites will properly heal. The immediate denture can also be the natural teeth's aesthetic replacement and it can also be modified easily to change the ridge contours while the site is healing.

To make immediate dentures as part of denture prep, the dentist uses a mold and shade chart to select replacement teeth that will resemble the patient's natural teeth; thus, minimizing any appearance changes.

Fitting the Final Dentures

The complete set of dentures are crafted when the gums are healthy once again, and have sufficiently healed. Complete dentures replace teeth in the mouth's lower or upper parts. Naturally, the gums will shrink through the process of healing, which takes around 6-12 months.

The immediate dentures, during this time, may need to be adjusted to accommodate the changes in the underlying bone structure and the gums. Such procedures may entail hard and soft relining to the immediate denture.

Overdenture and Removable Partial Dentures

An overdenture is considered a detachable dental prosthesis that rests on, and covers one or several of the remaining roots of the teeth. A dental prosthesis, like a removable partial denture, replaces some of the teeth, and is crafted around the remaining natural teeth.

Both the removable partial denture, and the overdenture may be attached to the remaining natural teeth, or the remaining tooth roots with plastic or metal anchors. Such connections improve the retention, and stability of both prostheses.

Overdentures, removable partial dentures and complete dentures must be removed while the patient sleeps at night. This allows the gums to be coated in saliva, which is important in controlling the oral cavity's naturally-occurring flora. The saliva also helps maintain a healthy mouth. With the right denture prep, a patient's dentures can last long and fit properly to the gums.

Have Malocclusion Malaise Bite The Dust And Go Away!

Occlusion is the medical term for the contact, and the relationship between a person's upper teeth, known as the maxillary teeth, and his lower teeth, also called mandibular teeth. In simpler words, occlusion is the general term for biting, chewing, clenching, grinding, gnashing, or any mouth movement that closes the jaws together. It may seem like something unimportant and negligible, but a person's occlusion is an essential factor in maintaining a healthy oral condition, particularly the positioning, and the alignment of the teeth's occlusal surface (or chewing surface).

Occlusions come in three classes, depending on how a person's dentition come in contact during a bite, and a Class I occlusion is considered as normal or desired. The other two classes are considered as a malocclusion, which should be attended by a dentist or orthodontist immediately as they can lead to serious health issues.

Malocclusion, also known as "bad bite," is a dental condition where a person's bite is not normal. Any inconsistencies with a person's occlusion can be caused by numerous factors such as too many or too few teeth, crooked teeth alignment, unproportioned mouth and jaw, and deformities in the jaw such as cleft palate. It may also be developed from improper mannerisms, and habits such as thumb and finger sucking, mouth breathing and tongue thrusting.

A malocclusion can be classified into two types. Class II Malocclusion, known as the overbite, is when a person's lower teeth are positioned way behind his upper teeth when biting, almost reaching the gum lining. On the other hand, Class III Malocclusion, known as the cross bite or under bite, is when the edge of the lower dentition touches, or is in front of, the edge of the upper dentition.

Normally, the lower teeth should be just behind the upper teeth during a bite. When the upper and lower teeth come together, a light exchange of force occurs between them. Biting and chewing should require minimal effort, and a person should not experience discomfort or pain in his mouth if he has a normal occlusion. However, a person with malocclusion may feel a little uncomfortable with the positioning of his teeth when he bites, or he may need to exert a little more force.

Although it may not be noticed at first, a person with malocclusion will experience difficulty in chewing and speaking, and in the long run, may suffer from tooth damage, gum bleeding and facial pain.

A malocclusion does not only affect the teeth, but also the gums, jaws, facial muscles, and even the neck and head. The movement of the jaw is controlled by numerous facial muscles. If a person has a misaligned bite, some muscles may require additional force, which can cause strain and damage to the facial tissues and ligaments. A bad bite can be the reason behind tooth sensitivity, tooth movement and loss, jaw joint noises and jaw pain, chronic headaches and shoulder pains.

It is important to have a person's misaligned bite checked and assessed by a dentist near Rockville, MD for proper and immediate treatment. With proper care, and oral health maintenance, severe malaise caused by malocclusion will "bite the dust" and disappear.

What Is Involved In Getting A Dental Implant?

Dental implants are artificial teeth roots that are anchored into your jaw to replace your missing teeth. A dental implant is stable and permanent on its own, and does not need support from its neighboring teeth.

Not everyone can have a dental implant, though. If you are healthy enough to have an extraction, you will most likely be a candidate for dental implants. You must have healthy gums, and an ample amount of bones to hold the implant. If you have diabetes, heart disease, or uncontrolled chronic disorders, or if you are a heavy smoker, you have to be evaluated by your dentist before you can have a dental implant.

Before you start with your dental implant, a team of dental specialists such as a periodontist, an ondodontist, an orthodontist, and a general dentist in Laurel MD, 20707 will work together to create an individualized treatment plan suited for you. This team of specialists will ensure that you are ready for the dental implant, and that all concerns have been addressed.

The next step is the tooth root implant. It is a small titanium post that is implanted into the bone socket of your missing tooth. As you are healing, the jawbone grows around the installed metal post, keeping it well-bonded to the jaw. Once you are healed, which takes about 6 to 12 weeks, an abutment or a small connector post will be attached to the implanted post to hold the new tooth securely. After that, a crown will be attached to the abutment.

Your dentist will create an impression of your teeth, and the new teeth are based on this model. Your new tooth will resemble the natural color of your teeth. Since dental implants are securely installed within the jawbone, your new tooth feels, functions and looks just like the rest of your natural teeth.

Dental implants are done under local anesthesia. According to some patients who had undergone the procedure, it is just like going through tooth extraction, but with less discomfort. You can expect mild soreness and pain after the procedure, and this can be relieved by over-the-counter painkillers.

Typically, a dental implant can last a lifetime but it depends on your overall oral hygiene. You have to brush at least twice a day, floss, and gargle with mouthwash. Regular visits to the dentist will also help a lot.

Having dental implants has many benefits. Since an implant is fused with bone, it is permanent, and it looks and feels like your own natural teeth. Unlike dentures, implants are comfortable and improve your speech significantly. It is also easier to chew and eat with dental implants since they are well secured into your jaw. Moreover, dental implants do not require altering nearby teeth, so you have more teeth left intact, which improves overall oral health.