Denture Information
Type of Dentures
Choosing your Dentures
Patients need to be made aware that there are particular denture types, which are specific for their needs.
Listed below are the types of dental appliances we supply to our patients.
- Immediate Dentures
- Full Dentures
- Partial Dentures
- Over Dentures
- Implant Supported Dentures
Immediate Dentures
Although some patients might be appropriate candidates for immediate dentures, its really only time and evidence that supplies the ultimate final answer for each individual. I, due to my personal accumulated experience, tend to dissuade my patients form entering such an immensely adorning process. In some cases, this can be so overwhelming in terms of pain, anxiety and self-social segregation, that the patient can become so fatigued that, they may have a very negative approach to dentures in the future. It is such a long lasting disadvantage that in my opinion should not be recommended in any way flippantly. Having said that, if the patient has a great attitude and wants to win this huge battle of persistent pain and discomfort, then they will definitely conquer their arduous quest. It is these patients that would be certainly successful, to wear this type of dental appliances, immediately following the total or partial removal of the natural dentition. In any case, what should be emphasised to the patient, is that there will be a requirement for more costly adjustments, such as, internal relining reconstruction and time-consuming trips.
Before immediate dentures are placed in the mouth, the dental appliances are constructed in advance, enabling the practitioner to place the dental appliance directly after extraction. Impression or mould of the patient’s oral ridges and remaining dentition, must be taken and a stone cast made. The cast will have the dentition as is in the mouth and all the cast teeth removed in order for the dentures to be customized somewhat for the individual.
During surgery, your mouth would have been numbed with local anaesthetic. Although this dental procedure is usually comfortable, it may be possible that a patient can feel a little anxious, so a relaxant may be given which, might cause sleepiness. A carer or driver would be prudent.
Immediate Dentures can:
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Help control bleeding (it acts like a bandage)
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Help keep extraction sites from getting infected by keeping bits of food from entering the tooth sockets
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Help heal a little quicker
Difficulties with Immediate Dentures
In some occasions, patients that decide to take this option, find that they go through an extremely painful and arduous time. This can sometimes be so incredibly overwhelming, that many actually give up and totally become so anti-dentures that they make the sad choice and deliberation in not to take part in the process again. This is due to the assumption that the procedure will reiterate a similar experience. Much discussion and assessment must be undertaken by the practitioner with the patient to avail them of all the necessary information required. Things like medication, general health, oral health, patient’s level of sensitivity, level of social participation, work position, environment and interaction intensity, as well as many other analytical processes. The most important thing to address is to explore the real attitude, the real expectations and a true acceptance of the whole process, including all the expected negative factors that will most likely occur. I will make sure to advise the patient of all the scenarios that are expected to arise
Three Types of Full Dentures
The range of three types of dentures, allows prospective patients to obtain a dental appliance that not only suites the quality preference, but also an expenditure preference. Each type consisting of their own scope of advantages, specifications and quality.
Standard dentures
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Standard Dentures are based on an economical choice. These dentures are for patients seeking a dental appliance in the most affordable range. Things to consider are, face-shape, and complexion, which helps in creating a dental appliance that fits, looks and functions adequately. They are constructed from Standard quality materials, which are CE certified materials, which are the current techniques we use. Our dental technicians provide the skill required for ascertaining the quality, function and aesthetics within the economical confines. Many patients select these dentures. |
Semi-precision dentures
 
Try in Stage Finished Appliance
(Note the difference in tooth length)
Semi-precision dentures involves using more expensive materials and teeth such as, Vertex acrylic which, is one of the most popular acrylics. A mid range tooth, which is very natural looking in appearance, are also available in many shades, for a more natural-looking denture than the standard denture. The level of instrumentations used in this denture are, semi-adjustable articulators. Denture teeth are set in a pre-finished wax base, so that the practitioner and patient can examine them. This ensures the patients’ satisfaction prior to it being completed. The essential changes are made at the patient’s request to suite the patients desires. After approval of the aesthetics, the customized dentures are taken over by the finishing technician, where they will be custom finished. Although gum staining or rugae palates are not used in this denture, they are still made to look very natural and aesthetically pleasing to the patient.
Precision dentures
 
Finally your chance to sculpt and design your own smile!
High Quality dentures provide comfort, confidence and provide optimum function whilst having an extremely natural and life like dentures, which enhance facial appearance and smile.
Precision Dentures are the most accurate and most natural-looking dentures available. We use the highest quality denture teeth available, wear-resistant and stain-resistant. The process undertaken for these dentures, is extensively more intricate, and labour intensive, utilising Denar, Dentatus or Stratos fully adjustable articulators respective face bows and positioners.
Precision Dentures are made specifically to suit your individual needs and appearance, using high quality materials and additional measurements of the jaw’s physiology, by using instruments such as, face bows which, are used in conjunction with highly accur8 fully adjustable articulators. We ascertain additional accur8 measurements of your jaw structure and face, using precision equipment as mentioned. These dentures are the top of the range dentures and the process is formatted to help the dental prosthetist, technician and patient to ultimately achieve aesthetic and functional excellence.
In order to acquire a more precise range of articulation of the jaw, you must learn to appreciate the intricate work involved. These additional sources of information takes much more care and time due to the intricacy required, however, the result continually assure a remarkably, perfectly fitting and functioning custom denture. These high quality dentures are all handcrafted by one of our Master denture technicians. Using Lucitone HI impact acrylic and exclusive teeth, every tooth is individually positioned and set on casts, using the Denar or Stratos articulators. Once final, they are tried in on wax bases to assure the patient of the aesthetics and following their scrutinisation and agreement they are then processed. Intricate gum work called festooning, allows a very natural looking dental appliance.
 
By using colour stains, we can enhance the denture aesthetics, further giving a very unique and natural looking dental appliance. Rugae sculpting, on the palate reintroduces the patient to the natural feel of the natural undulations of the palatal surfaces. When you’re ready to commence your new Precision Dentures, we as your Denture practitioners will confer with you on all the important factors such as tooth shape, shade & size as well as discuss the high quality teeth and acrylic to be certified for your dentures. We will guarantee, the result will definitely conciliate you form bad denture expectation syndrome for ever, accentu8ing your confidence, self-esteem and enhancing your real outgoing social character. Showing off your smile will finally be a perpetual pleasure. The Australian Denture Care Centres, provide an amazing, one-year “care and repair guarantee” on all the fully adjustable custom Precision Dentures we produce. Remember, each denture is handcrafted; in order of achieving a very high level of dental crafting, and in turn ultim8 patient satisfaction.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are designed to replace the missing dentition sections, to help preserve natural dental placement and prevent the existing healthy natural teeth from migrating to a different position; as apposed to full dental appliances which, generally replace an entire removed dentition in a totally edentulous mouth.
The spacing created of the missing dentition can cause positional bite problems, such as Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) problems that can create headaches, earaches, or even difficulty moving your jaw due to extreme pain. It can sometimes be initially recognised by a clicking or popping sound. The general aim for partial dentures is to prevent these problems by working to keep your remaining dentition in their natural dimension and position.
In some instances, partial dentures have been called “over-dentures,” although it is more of a literal term these days. Over-dentures is the general term for the implant branch of dentistry which, are designed to fit over a small section to implants or natural roots of teeth fitted with abutment heads. Generally, partial dentures have appropriately placed clasps, made of flexible metal clasps which, are used to attach the dental appliance and are used to attach the appliance to existing teeth. Specially made clasps which, can cost a little more, are made of flexible and colour assimilated material that lessen these bracing arms to be noticeable. In some cases, a crown will be in fitted on an existing healthy tooth or abutment to facilitate and ensure a better hold for the clasp.
Partial dentures are currently constructed out of a combination of metal and acrylic, or purely out of the diverse acrylic available.
A partial denture, or removable partial denture (RPD)
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Acrylic (plastic) RPD. This consists of an acrylic surrounding body and flexible wire clasps. I like to consider this appliance as more of a temporary product and it’s use should only be made available for instances, such as, the waiting period for an implant or an integrating process for a metal prosthesis. An acrylic RPD can either replace a single front tooth or a multiply removed dentition.
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Flexible plastic. Have a flexible characteristic that at times may be found to be more tolerable for the patient as they have a nature to mould and bend over and around the dentition. The other positive factor of these appliances, rid metal clasps and clasps, are formed of tooth coloured materials that match the natural tooth shade rendering the less visible. However, these materials can absorb oral and other fluids, easily creating ill taste and unpleasant odours after a while.
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Composite Light cured. This type of material allows for both full and partial dental appliances to be made. It is, I believe, a fantastically diverse material that is strong and allows many more application processes to be utilised, enabling the practitioner to work in a more adaptable way necessary for a particular patient needs. It is very mouldable and adaptable.
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Cast metal RPD. These appliances are extremely accurate fitting frames that rest and retentively brace the natural dentition, of which, acquires the necessary retention by simply wedging itself between the spaces of the remaining dentition and locks around the curvature of the tooth. This process is assessed and determined in an intensively calculated way. This type of appliance, I believe, is the most acceptable removable partial dental appliance. The metal framework is made separate and prior to the acrylic construction, by a specialised metal dental technician who is trained, experienced in the field and take note of extremely important factors such as, undercuts which, will either hinder or help anchor the appliance appropriately. It latter will undergo the procedure of adapting the acrylic body and dentition in their appropriate vertical dimension. In most cases metal partials are usually much thinner, more comfortable, more hygienic and stronger than acrylic partials. However, your dental prosthetist or denture practitioner will consult with you to determine which type of partial dental appliance will be more appropriate for your current circumstances.
RPD’s are very comfortable to wear and will conform and function in accordance with the remaining natural dentition.
Sometimes a removable partial dental appliance (RPD) is referred to as a bridge. Once again, this is the literal term. The term bridge for this application is incorrect, as a "bridge" is cemented into place over existing dentition or dental implants.
PARTIAL DENTURES: For some people, removable partial dental appliances are the most suitable option available for replacing extracted teeth. Partial dentures, aid chewing, prevent sagging of the cheeks and lips, and restore speech. When a patient has adapted to partial dentures they find the dentures as functional as natural teeth. Carefully designed to fit over a section of implants and/or natural dentition. Anchoring to abutments by either precision attachments or clasps. Precision attachments are usually set in individual crowns or bridges cemented onto the remaining abutments in the natural teeth or implants, holding partial dentures into their place.
Over-Denture Implants
Normally, regular dental appliances rest and sit on the oral ridges, which are constantly dislodged or displaced. An implant-supported dental appliance is similar in appearance, other than a few extremely differing factors that implore retention. These over-dentures are supported by, and attached to implants in a fixed or removable format. An implant-supported overdenture attach to imbedded implants fitting firmly. This procedure is considered for patients that lack some, or all teeth in the jaw. If the bone structure is sufficient and the ridges are deemed to be able to support the over-structure, then the patient is considered an acceptable candidate for implants. An implant-supported dental appliance has attachments that snap onto or screw into the implants heads. In most cases, patients will only require implants for the lower mandibular jaw due to the perpetual fatiguing and problematic instability of the conventional lower dental appliance. The upper dental appliance is comparably more stable and is able to achieve it’s firm fit, due to larger coverage of more surface area and a phenomena that occurs called atmospheric pressure or suction. However, once the patient experiences the comfort and stability of the lower appliance, the usual fact is that they consider the uppers to be done, which is perfectly fine.
There are many Benefits to Dental Implants, such as being a great alternative replacement to the loss of natural teeth in terms of their function and aesthetics and can be considered as superior as natural teeth. The amazing thing is that implants have proven that they slow the shrinking process of bone and gum tissues. Dental implants are applauded as being the most advanced tooth replacement system available to date, although there is much research in this arena concerning grafting and genetics. Implants have a long-term lasting period of longer than 20 years in some cases. Although decay is no longer a problem, the hygiene process is still required and is as basic as cleaning and flossing like you would for natural teeth. The other positive attribute about implants, is that they can be fitted to almost every jaw type without disoccluding anybody for any reason, like age.
Dental implants are threaded post made of Titanium which, come in screw cylinders forms. They are surgically placed into the oral ridges by an oral surgeon in the tissue, which is covered by the ridges of the mouth. Implants replace one, several or all extracted dentition, such as implant over-dentures. The type of metal used for implants is Titanium, which is a fantastically biocompatible metal that does not react with the natural physiology. In fact, it can instigate ostio-site generation (bone generating cells) forming an excellent bond with bone. It is on these abutments that the over-denture appliance is either clipped to or semi-permanently screwed in to.
Several types of dental implants allow the possibility of options such as subperiosteal and endosteal implants. It is crucial to select the appropriate Implant dimensions and type to achieve success including whether sub-bone structure can adequately support the forces continually placed onto the appliance covering the implant.
The main uses of Dental Implants are to achieve a single replacement, a multiple tooth replacement including bridging and as anchor points for a multi-tooth dental appliance in either fixed or self removable clip on option.
An overdenture fits over two or more natural teeth, of which are specially prepared, or otherwise the use implants, another option of which are screwed and imbedded directly into the Jaw bone, which secure the denture in place onto the nominate ridge and stabilize it. Mainly over-dentures are a more appreciated procedure to the lower jaw, but can also be used on the upper jaw. It is particularly beneficial because the presence of teeth or implants helps to preserve the jawbone.
Over-dentures help to relieve pressure and stress of chewing, helping with the prevention of pain spots and irritation. If the patient is fortunate to still have a couple of natural teeth that can be used, all that is need to be done is that the remaining dentition have to be reshaped to act as abutments by a dentist to fit an overdenture. If implants are used, the denture may ultimately be attached directly to the remaining reshaped teeth or roots.
Starting the Implant Process
Dental Implants have for the last 15 to 20 years proved without doubt the best available option to problematic denture patients they either clip onto abutments that are either placed into perfectly healthy and strong retained roots or titanium implants that are strategically imbedded into the patient’s oral ridge by a qualified dental or prosthodontic practitioner
Be aware that only legally qualified practitioners are qualified to perform any of the exploratory and sub-tissue procedures assuring to perform a positive and professionally competent service. These professional consist of dental surgeon performing specialised Oral Surgery, a Prosthodontist or a Periodontist. A general dentist, and/or Dental prosthetist will endeavour to involve themselves with the mechanical dental restoration. However, sometimes a dentist who specializes in restorative dentistry may undertake the entire procedure succeeding with positive results. In selected cases implants can be immediately placed after tooth extraction like in anterior trauma cases, and in cases with retained deciduous tooth / teeth etc.
A qualified implant practitioner will initiate the process by undertaking a complete assessment of the patient's medical and dental history. It is utterly important to conduct a full Clinical examination of the total oral cavity including all soft and hard tissues taking particular attention of the edentulous portions and implant placement regions. The practitioner will also order a myriad of visual images such as CT Scans, OPG X-rays and dental imaging to help analyse the sub-structure. Post to patient assessment the patient will then be fully detailed of the extensive and intrusive treatment plan and be asked to give their consent in contract form, before any further work is proceeded. If and when patient is content and agreeable with the process and choice of anaesthesia the patient will be happy with, the surgeon then can go ahead to arrange surgery for implant placement.
Generally the mucosal tissue is gently incised and carefully folded open allowing the bony surface to be exposed. A precisely sized opening is drilled into the bone creating the cavity. It now is prepared for the required implant to be inserted. The selected implant is screwed in firmly and a temporary cap placed on the inserted implant and the surrounding mucosal tissues reconnect with stiches. The patient is ready to leave and asked to return in several months to allow Osseo integration to naturally bond and strengthen the implant, ready for the placement of the over denture to be fitted.
Quantity and quantity of bone usually determines the healing duration, as well as other things such as type of implant placed. Bone type will also have an influence as Osseo integration time will differ form maxillary cancellous bone which is sponge-like and the more dense Mandibular jaw which may need less time to bond to implants. Usually four to six months is what is required, of cause this time will vary between patients as general bone density differ vastly from patient to patient. As soon as the natural process of bone formation occurs around the implants the appliance can fastened of fitted. After the appropriate strengthening time the mucosal tissues are once again re-incise and re-exposing the covered caps, previously screwed into the implant mid frame. The caps are unscrewed and removed from the implants and the intrasurface post is inserted in its place, giving the implant its validity and rendering the next stages of the process to be pursued. The dental prosthetic appliance is now ready to be started. A huge amount of precision assessment, evaluation and work is done, too extensive to even go into but will be explained to the patient personally in the clinic. Impressions of the oral surfaces are taken and dimensional positions determined and sent for construction. When the appliance is ready for insertion it is pre-checked and if all is well it is inserted and screwed fixed or otherwise clipped in depending on the predetermined type of appliance required or requested.
TYPES OF ABUTMENT RETAINERS
Clip-on retained dental appliances
The two main types of clip-on implant-supported dentures that are available consist of the BALL-retained implant sub-structure and the other a BAR-retained implant sub-structure. For both of supporting structures a removable over denture will be made, normally made with a pink gum-like acrylic base or body structure, including formation of natural looking porcelain or acrylic teeth. The underside being the tissue and abutment borne under-base sits on the ridge surface. It will harbour the clip on attachments.
  
Bar-retained dental appliances
For this type of application at least three implants are required. Consisting of a metal bar screwed onto the implants that have been placed into the edentulous jawbone. Clips or attachments are fitted to the under-base of the dental appliance, allowing the dental appliance structure to fit snugly over the bar and is clipped into place by the effective attachments securely.
Ball-retained dental appliances
Between two and four implants are required for the lower jaw and at least four are required to be affective in the upper maxillary osseous consistency. Each attaching circular metal clip or attachment, securers onto the implant ball shaped head. These clips are imbedded into the fitting surface of the dental appliance base, which sits and covers on the tissue surfaces. As mentioned the implant abutments have a male ball-shaped head and the detaching appliance holds the imbedded attaching clips that are similar sized female clips that fit perfectly over the apposing abutment implant on the dental appliance under base.
Sometimes, it may be necessary to schedule various bone augmentation procedures like sinus lift (direct and indirect), chin graft, ileac crest graft, grafting by alloplastic materials, nerve repositioning etc if the patient has Osseo structural problems, hindering the normal procedure, and only then can there be some projected success in the implantology.
IMPLANTS MUST NOT BE PLACED IN: Patients on corticosteroid medication, or having haematological disorders such as haemophilia, bone disorders such as dysphasia, insufficient bone structure, endocrine disorders like uncontrolled diabetes, pituitary, psychological disorders, or that smoke heavy as toxins in the smoke can necrotize the mucosal tissues. |
