During the planning process for your new dentures, you might be taken aback when your denturist refers to your new prosthesis as a full set of dentures. Since you still have some functional teeth in your jaw, the fact that you will be receiving full dentures instead of partial dentures might be news to you. When there are only a few natural teeth still in your dental arch, these can actually make the task of receiving dentures more complicated.
Why Extraction Can Be Necessary
These remaining teeth may not be as functional as you think. As teeth are lost, the remainder are subjected to more pressure and general wear. Restoring these teeth and fabricating a partial denture is more intensive and expensive than extracting them and fitting you with full dentures. This is why full denture treatment often involves extraction.
A Temporary Measure
You might feel self-conscious at the prospect of being completely toothless while your full dentures are being manufactured. You don't need to. You will immediately be fitted with full dentures, although these are only temporary. Bleeding will be controlled during extraction, and immediate dentures can help the healing process. They offer protection to vulnerable gum tissues, and it's these tissues that will affect your permanent dentures.
Gum Tissues
Although your post-extraction bleeding will quickly subside, your gum tissues will be swollen and irritated. They will normalize during the healing process, and once fully healed, the contours of your mouth become more clearly defined. This permits the base plate of your new dentures to precisely complement the palate on which they sit.
Not a Permanent Solution
The precision of the fit is essential with dentures. Ill-fitting dentures have compromised functionality, while also being uncomfortable, as they create pressure spots on the underlying soft tissues. Your temporary dentures will have instant esthetic and functional benefits while also helping the healing process. They will not, however, be appropriate for permanent wear. As your gums heal, the contours of the denture base plate will quickly become a mismatch for the underlying tissues.
Permanent Dentures
Once the soft tissues in your mouth have healed, you will attend another appointment. A dental impression of your mouth will be required, allowing the final base plate to be manufactured with the greatest possible accuracy. Your new dentures will then be fabricated, ready to be worn.
Remember that dental extraction can be a common part of the process of receiving dentures. The remaining natural teeth can be a hindrance as far as your dentures are concerned. This is why when insufficient teeth remain to support partial dentures, or when those teeth require extensive restoration, it's in your best interests to lose them. Talk to a local dentist to learn more about full denture treatment options.
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