Dentures
Dentures are prosthetic devices designed to replace missing teeth, commonly used by individuals who have experienced tooth loss due to aging, disease, or trauma. There are two main types of dentures: complete dentures, which replace all teeth in a jaw, and partial dentures, which fill gaps where some teeth remain. These devices can be secured in place by suction or by clasping onto existing teeth, with materials ranging from acrylic to metal frameworks. While dentures can greatly improve functionality and aesthetics, they are not as effective as natural teeth, operating at only about 25 to 35 percent efficiency. Adjusting to dentures can take time, and individuals must maintain regular dental checkups to ensure proper fit and function as mouth tissues change over time.
Technological advancements, including 3D printing and artificial intelligence, are transforming denture production, allowing for more precise, cost-effective, and quicker manufacturing processes. However, denture wearers must adhere to strict cleaning regimens to maintain oral health and prolong the lifespan of their prosthetics. Overall, dentures provide a valuable solution for many, but they require ongoing care and attention to adapt to and maintain effectively.
Subject Terms
Dentures
Anatomy or system affected: Gums, mouth, teeth
Definition: Removable artificial teeth worn to replace missing or diseased teeth, thus restoring both facial appearance and the ability to speak clearly and chew food by maintaining the shape of the jaw
Indications and Procedures
As a person ages, disease of the teeth and surrounding tissues often increases, leading to the eventual loss of some or all teeth. Trauma to the mouth or jaw can also cause tooth loss. When teeth are missing, the remaining teeth can change position, drifting into the surrounding space. Teeth that are out of position can damage tissues in the mouth. It is also more difficult to clean thoroughly between crooked teeth, resulting in an increased risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and additional loss of teeth. The solution is to replace the missing teeth with a denture. According to the American College of Prosthodontists, approximately 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth and 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth.
When a large number of teeth are missing and a sufficient number of adjacent teeth are not present to support a bridge, or fixed partial denture, a removable partial denture is the solution. It consists of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-colored plastic bases connected by a metal framework. This prosthetic device is usually secured by clasping it to several of the remaining teeth. The clasps are typically made out of gold or a cobalt-steel alloy. Although more costly, precision attachments are nearly invisible and generally more aesthetically pleasing than metal clasps. Crowns on the adjacent natural teeth may improve the fit of a removable partial denture, and they are usually required with precision attachments.
When all the teeth need replacement, a full denture is constructed. It is usually made of acrylic, occasionally reinforced with metal. Full dentures replace all the teeth in either jaw and are generally held in place by suction created between saliva and the mouth's soft tissues. A temporary soft liner can be placed in a new or old denture to help improve the health of the gum tissues by absorbing some of the pressures of mastication and providing maximum retention by fitting around undercuts in the bone and gums.
Uses and Complications
A common misconception is that when all the teeth are extracted and replaced by full dentures, all teeth problems cease. In fact, properly fitted full dentures are only about 25 to 35 percent as efficient as natural teeth. Many elderly people have little trouble adjusting, but some find it difficult to adapt to and learn to use dentures properly. Furthermore, the tissues of the mouth undergo constant changes, which may result in loose or bad-fitting dentures, which may cause damage to the mouth tissues. Consequently, a person who wears dentures should continue to see a dentist for regular annual checkups.
Full and partial dentures are removable and must be taken out frequently and cleansed. In addition, the supporting soft tissues of the mouth need thorough cleansing with a soft mouth brush two to three times daily. It typically takes a few weeks to get used to inserting, wearing, eating with, removing, and maintaining dentures. Careful attention to all the instructions given by the dentist is vital.
Similar to other healthcare fields, dentistry has begun to employ technological advances that have advanced the production and ease of use of dentures. One innovation is the use of 3D printers to manufacture dentures. 3D printing is a manufacturing process where an object can be produced with great precision from data stored on a digital file. In the case of a denture, a conventional impression, or a mold of a person’s teeth and gums, can be scanned and digitized. A 3D printer can then create a custom denture from the digital information with greater accuracy, less expense, and in a shorter period. The impression itself can also be made through digital means where a handheld scanner maps a person’s teeth and gums.
Artificial Intelligence in another area that will provide greater efficiency to the production and use of dentures. AI is projected to advance the design of individualized dentures. An example will be its ability to study the structure of a person’s mouth, teeth, and gums. From this information, AI can “learn” what the features of an individual tooth should be based on the aggregate data. A customized set of dentures can be formed by digitally replicating the structure of the person’s mouth; and again, this can be done with higher accuracy, lower cost, and less time.
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