Dentures are artificial teeth with framework that resembles your gums. The teeth are made of prefabricated acrylic and come in different shapes, sizes, and shades. They are placed into an acrylic base that is custom fitted for the individual patient's comfort.

Depending on the type of denture, these fixtures rest directly on your gums or have clasps that fit onto neighboring teeth. There are two types of dentures, complete and partial.

Complete dentures are used when the patient has lost all of their upper or lower teeth. In some cases, due to genetics or periodontal disease, some patients may choose to have their bad teeth pulled in order to replace them with a set of complete dentures. Partial dentures are used when the patient has some missing teeth, or when their own teeth are not strong enough to support a bridge.

The Process of Making Your Dentures

Three to five visits to the dentist are usually needed to complete the process of preparing a new set of dentures. Your dentist will need to take impressions of your gums, fit your dentures properly and make adjustments until they fit comfortably. The steps involved in producing a new set of dentures include:

· A complete examination of the patient's jaws, soft tissues and mouth

· An oral cancer examination

· Initial dental impressions

· Highly accurate dental impressions made using an impression tray that is custom made

· Using wax, to establish proper bite and orientation as well as shape, size and shade of denture teeth

· Testing the new dentures for proper fit

· Making adjustments for perfect fit of new dentures

Adjusting to Your Dentures

It will take you some time to adjust to your new dentures, especially if it is your first set. Complete dentures do not feel like your own teeth, but they should be functional and comfortable once you have adjusted to them.

In the beginning you will have some difficulty speaking. The process is often referred to as talking like you have a "mouthful of marbles". With patience, you will quickly adapt to your new dentures and then your difficulty with speech will only occur when you remove them.

You may also have some initial difficulty eating. The biggest difference is that you do not chew with dentures the way you did with your natural teeth. With dentures, you will use a side to side motion to break down your food. Some patients can chew anything with their dentures while others have difficulty with certain foods. Adjusting to eating with your dentures will take practice.

Your new dentures will settle into your gums over time and should eventually fit well and comfortably. Your dentist will adjust your dentures to accommodate any sore areas that develop.

Upper dentures usually fit well and have a suctioning effect to the roof of your mouth. Lower dentures are a different shape and do not suction to the lower jaw. Instead, the lower denture floats and you will learn to hold it in place by the way you move your mouth during eating, speaking and resting.

Denture adhesives are available over-the-counter, but they are not recommended during the first few weeks of wearing your new dentures. Remember that adjusting to your new dentures will take time. Any difficulties you have should be discussed with your dental practitioner. Dentures can make you feel like a new person if you have suffered the loss of your natural teeth for any number of reasons.