Fixed and Removable Dentures (Prosthodontics)

They are dentures replacing the missing teeth. Patients can put them on or take them off themselves. There are three types of removable dentures available.

• Partial Dentures: If some of the teeth have been extracted and there are some other teeth remaining in the mouth of the patient, partial dentures are used for the aesthetic and functional replacement of the missing teeth. These removable dentures are attached to the existing teeth with fastening devices (clasps, delicate abutments). They may consist of acrylic or casted structure in the form of framed dentures.
• A Total Denture:If all the teeth in the mouth have been extracted, removable dentures made of acrylic resin is formed for these patients. This type of denture is called a ‘Total Denture’ or colloquially ‘False Teeth’.
• Immediate Dentures: When all the teeth in the mouth have been extracted, these dentures are prepared for the patients temporarily in order not to leave them toothless until wound healing is completed and total dentures are made ready. These dentures will allow for maintaining an aesthetic appearance and chewing function.

Removable dentures may change the way you speak to some degree in the first days of use. Patients need to exercise pronouncing words containing the sounds “s, sh, ch, f”, repeating them over and over again. Reading aloud and repeating the words they cannot pronounce appropriately will be beneficial to restore their normal way of speaking in a short time.

It is not possible to use dentures for a lifetime period. Dentures normally should be renewed every five years. Changes in intra-oral tissues may cause the dentures to become loose and fall. In such cases, eating may be difficult. This situation has nothing to do with the structure of the denture. In these cases, dentures are either filled in or a new denture is formed. Your dentist will decide which way will be appropriate.

Yes. These options include implants and overdentures supported by and attached to implants. With the use of these

Getting used to any kind of a removable denture will take time. The duration of this process is variable among patients. While some patients immediately get used to removable dentures, others may need a longer time. In order to shorten this process, it is critical to start chewing with smaller pieces of softer food slowly, as well as chewing the food on both sides. All types of removable dentures may cause some injuries in the mouth in the early days. One needs to be patient and cooperate with the dentist to correct the parts of dentures causing wounds in the mouth. These corrections sometimes take 3-4 sessions. The patients should spend this period of time taking the dentist’s recommendations into consideration, trying to perceive their dentures as if they were their own teeth. Furthermore, they must maintain their patience and determination. But it still takes 4-6 weeks to get used to removable dentures.

You will need to keep them in your mouth at all times especially in the first days in order to get used to them readily. After getting used to them completely, you make sometimes take them off at night so that you will achieve a relaxation effect in the soft tissues. When they are removed at night, it is recommended to keep the dentures in a clean container filled with water or cleansing liquid.

Continuous use of denture adhesives is harmful. But they can be used for short periods of time if necessary. Your physician will tell you how to use these adhesives. The use of denture adhesives will be more required in the lower dentures as their retention is less.