If you have lost enough of your teeth to be considering dentures, you still may not know much about these teeth-replacing appliances. After all, prior to considering dentures, you may have only been concerned about the care and health of your natural teeth. Here are a few questions and answers about dentures to help you better understand them:

What are dentures?

Dentures are dental appliances that consist of false teeth affixed to a plate made of metal or resin. The false teeth are usually made of porcelain or acrylic resin. 

What are the advantages of porcelain dentures?

Porcelain dentures are sometimes preferred because of the following:

• Natural Looking: The sheen and translucency of porcelain is hard to distinguish from those of natural tooth enamel.
• Durable: Porcelain dentures last a long time because of their hard consistency.
• Natural Feeling: For people who are new dentures, it can be easier to adjust to false teeth if the teeth feel natural.

What are the advantages of resin dentures?

Although resin dentures are not as durable as porcelain dentures, they do have their own advantages, such as the following:

• Light-weight: Resin dentures don't feel heavy in the mouth.
• Adjustable: Resin is pliable, so it is less difficult to adjust than porcelain. This is especially important when it comes to fitting the dentures so that the top and lower palate teeth meet properly.
• Affordable: Resin is more affordable than porcelain.
• Less Damaging to Natural Teeth: Resin doesn't wear away tooth enamel as porcelain does when the dentures repeatedly contact natural teeth.
• Not Apt to Break When Dropped: Resin is not as brittle as porcelain, so resin teeth are less likely to crack or chip when dropped.

What can you expect from an appointment for dentures?

An impression or mold of your gums must be made. It is used as a guide for a denture model that the dentist will use to test the effectiveness of the shape, color and construction of the proposed denture. Once the model is approved, a denture plate can be fabricated to fit properly in your mouth.

Where should dentures be placed when they are not being worn?

Once the dentures are outside of the mouth, it is important to soak them in a cleaning solution or even water. Allowing them to sit without being covered by a liquid can cause the dentures dry out. In addition, you should never use hot water on your dentures; resin can warp when heated.

If you are considering dentures, schedule an appointment with a dentist in your area for a complete assessment of your mouth.

For dentures, contact a doctor such as Michele A Bibeau DDS.