Local 60614 Denture Care - Removable Partial Dentures

The Art of Good Replacement Teeth

Some affordable dentures - sort of "ready to wear" - are stamped out of denture material, and resemble not so much real teeth as the surface of your bathtub.

False teeth that look and work best are more complicated. There are a hundred clinical and esthetic choices - about material, light, color - to achieve the most natural look and function. And every individual has different requirements.

How does a denturist decide just how to construct your prosthodontics? How do they know what tooth "size" you wear?

Some of the considerations:

Base material. Some bases absorb more moisture, which can affect the fit. Color should range from coral near teeth to pinkish near the base.

Tooth shape, length, edge. Depending on age - and even gender - there are differences in the shape and color of teeth. Generally, the front teeth are lighter than the cuspids next door. Some dentists work from photographs or your old denture to construct the nearest thing to your natural dentition.

Texture. Rather than smooth as glass, replacement teeth should have some texture on the surface, especially "uppers," to work properly when you eat and speak. How much texture is yet another factor in the fit?

Good false teeth are a labor of love. Then again, most dentists believe that good denture care is both a science and an art.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Regular Check-Ups for Your Dentures

We all know we need regular dental checkups. If you have false teeth, you should also schedule denture checkups with a prosthodontist on a regular basis.

Over time, even the perfect denture fit can loosen and get wobbly. There's nothing wrong, it's just the natural shrinkage of your gum tissue as you age. When things begin to shift, you'll start to feel movement, usually with the lower denture. And you may start eliminating certain foods from your diet, which could impact your good health.

The comfort, stability and chewing strength of your dentures depend on the foundation -- that is, healthy gums. During your prosthodontics checkup your denturist will check to see where the denture may be rubbing against your gums. Your prosthodontist will also look for cracks in your false teeth or any signs of infection, even cancer. It may just be a simple case of relining your dentures to get back that perfect, natural fit.

The best news is we can fix a problem before it starts when you schedule your checkup with your dentist at least once a year.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.