Dentures Available at Lifestyle

Different types of dentures:

1. Partial dentures: Used when some healthy natural teeth are present. Partial dentures could be made using materials such as acrylic or Cobalt- Chrome (metal plate) or flexible materials. These types of dentures are carefully designed for best possible comfort and support. Depending on the design, the denture might need clips (known as clasps) onto any remaining teeth if necessary. Each material has advantages and disadvantages.

2. Complete/Full dentures: In cases that all natural teeth all lost, then a complete set of dentures are the option. Plate of the denture generally is made from acrylic materials but in some cases for upper denture the plate could be made from Cobalt-Chrome (metal plate).

As mentioned, dentures traditionally are removable dental prosthesis that are designed to be removed by patients. However, in cases of complete dentures, they can be supported and retained by implants, called implant supported or implant retained dentures.

With implant supported dentures the entire restoration supported by implants. So all the biting forces will be directed to the implants and denture does not rely on the gums tissue for support. The restoration that will be in a form of bridge can only be removed by the dentist.

On the other hand, implant retained dentures, are supported partly by the implants (clip or snap to the implant) and partly receives support by the gum tissue. The denture can be removed by the patient to clean and clip back into place. The number of implants required for this type of dentures could be as low as 2 implants.

How the dentures are made:

Manufacturing a set of dentures generally requires 4-5 appointments with co-ordination of clinician and dental technician.

• The initial appointment: usually includes examination of the mouth and gums, consultation for best possible option for treatment of missing teeth, design and materials that could be used for the denture. Once the decision made and all appointments planed and discussed with the patient, the first step of the process would be taking impressions. This is a primary impression that is as important as other stages of manufacturing dentures.

Primary impressions will then be taken using stock trays, plastic trays that comes with different sizes. The clinician will select a tray that fits best in the mouth. Impression material commonly used is in a form of a paste that is placed on the trays and sets and becomes hard when places in the mouth.

The impression then sterilised and sent to the dental laboratory for casting and making mould. Mould or dental cast is a replica of patient’s gums or/and teeth that is the starting point for the technician and clinician for construction of the denture.

In the dental laboratory, the technician will make a special tray based on the model (mould). The design of the tray is important to make sure the secondary impression that will be taken in second appointment is as perfect as possible.

• Second appointment: The trays then will be disinfected and returned to the dental practice so the clinician will take secondary impressions using special trays. Based on the presence of the dentition (teeth) or absence of all teeth, the clinician will decide what type of impression material will be used for best possible outcome of the secondary impressions.

Once the impressions taken, the clinician might decide to record patients bite, or record it on third appointment. Usually the bite also will be recorded on second appointment using wax rims and some bite reg materials. The rims also will be instructed by the clinician to be made in the dental laboratory when the special trays are made.

If clinician decides to record patients bite on third appointment, then an extra appointment needed for the process of denture manufacturing. On second appointment shade also will be selected using shade guid. That could also be discussed with the patient and assisted with the dental nurse.

Secondary impressions then will be disinfected along with the wax rims and sent back to the dental laboratory for casting and making secondary model. This cast (mould) will be a working model so must be as accurate as possible. The technician then will set the false teeth on wax plates using wax rims and tools (articulators) as a guid for the bite and placement of the teeth on the wax plate. Once the teeth are set, it then will be sent back to the dental practice for third stage of the procedure.

• Third appointment: Is called wax try in. This stage is an opportunity for the clinician and patient to have a look at the teeth (size and shade) and check the bite. This appointment is the last chance to make any changes/amendments to the position of the teeth, change of design or correcting the bite. Once the clinician and more importantly the patient is happy with this stage, the wax try will be sent back to the dental laboratory for final stage of the process. The technician then will start working on the wax try using different techniques to process the denture, replacing the wax plate with denture material. Once manufacturing the denture is completed it will be sent back to the dental practice for fitting by the clinician.
• Forth appointment: Denture fit. The denture/s will be examined by the clinician for any possible defects and then will be fitted. There might be a need for chairside adjustments at this stage, checking the bite, stability, support and retention of the denture/s by clinician. Patients also check the appearance of the dentures.

A review appointment might be offered if needed in 1-2 weeks after the fit to make sure that the patient is happy with the fit and comfort of the denture/s and if any further adjustments needed. Hygiene and maintenance instructions also will be discussed with the patients.

Start your journey today with a new patient examination

What’s included?

• We will do an in depth 35 point assessment.
• We will do a full series of photographs and x-rays.
• Discuss options for recommended treatments, as well as alternative options.
• We can talk about any worries regarding treatments that you might have.