Dentures can fill gaps in teeth or replace an entire row of teeth. Dentures are removable for cleaning and sleeping. Dentures are removed before bedtime and cleaned by brushing gently to remove plaque and food particles, then stored in water. Effervescent cleansers are available to add to the water to help the cleaning process, though not required every night.
Sleeping without dentures allows the mouth and gums to rest and stimulate the normal cleaning process with saliva. The dentures are replaced in the mouth again in the morning.
The type of denture varies with each patient and how many teeth are missing. For replacing just a few teeth on one arch (row) or the other, a partial denture is needed. The remaining teeth in that arch help hold the partial denture in place. The required number of teeth are added to a pink or gum-colored base, usually with a metal framework.
If the entire arch of teeth needs to be replaced, a complete denture is needed. If only some teeth are missing, but the remaining teeth on that row are damaged or diseased, they may need to be removed and a complete denture placed.
Shalom Sunset Dental Care can provide you with dentures.