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Full dentures vs partial dentures – No matter how old we become, we always feel the need to look presentable and well turned out. As they say, the best make-up you can wear is a perfect smile.
But what about when circumstances make inroads into your perfect smile, leaving you with little confidence in displaying your pearly whites (or what remained of them)?
Thank god for dentures! Not only does it instill the much-needed confidence in people who have lost some or all of their teeth but is also useful in making sure that you don’t have to give up on your favorite food because of some early dental betrayals in life.
What are full and partial dentures?
Dentures are the artificial teeth that are used as the most convenient solution to replace your missing teeth. There are various kinds of dentures available today such as custom dentures, implant-supported dentures, full dentures, partial dentures, snap-in dentures and many more.
In this article, we shall focus on the differences between full dentures and partial dentures, the one you should consider depending on your needs and useful tips for their maintenance.
Let’s start with a sneak peek into partial dentures.
For those of you who still have some or many of your natural teeth remaining, a partial denture is an apt choice. The artificial teeth are clasped onto your real ones using a metal framework to fill in the gaps where you lack real teeth.
On the other hand, full dentures are useful for those who have lost nearly all of their natural teeth. From a cost perspective view, each of them varies based on the varying needs of patients and the kind of materials used.
It’s an adjustment
Consult your denturist to advise you on what works best for you. While both of these variants warrant some adjustment and getting used to, full dentures are definitely going to occupy a lot more space in your mouth and will require conscious adjustment from your end. You will also salivate more and feel a slight tingling irritation as part of the process.
Coming to the maintenance of your dentures, here are some useful tips to follow:
- Contrary to popular belief, dentures can break. Hence, it is imperative that you handle them with utmost care, lest they slip off your hands and crack on the floor. Never try to fix cracks or damage on your own as it may lead to further damage.
- Never let your dentures sit exposed to air. When not in use, keep them in denture cleansing solution mixed with water in order to increase their lifespan and prevent them from getting hard.
- Do not use hot water to clean or place your dentures in hot water as this causes it to distort and lose shape. Once it loses its actual shape it will never fit properly inside your mouth again, unless adjusted by a dentist. Brush your dentures daily just as you would your normal set of teeth. To prevent plaque formation and ensure uniformity in color, invest in a good denture-care routine daily.
- Do clean your mouth including your gums and tongue before you insert your partial or full dentures daily. This will help ensure a clean environment for it all throughout the day.
Although dentures may never give the exact feel of natural teeth, modern dentures are custom-designed which lends to them a natural look and comfortable use. Whether you use full dentures or partial ones, it is advisable to see your denturist at least once a year.
Using your dentures over time make them lose shape, hinder chewing and even trouble your gums. These are indications that they probably need some realignment or rebasing. See your denturist regularly to eliminate any trouble caused by your dentures and flaunt that happy smile always!