AS RECENTLY AS 2012, one-fifth of American adults over sixty-five had lost all of their natural teeth. Whether the tooth loss is from age or other causes, it is a problem dentists have been dealing with for thousands of years and dentures have played a significant role throughout history.
Dentures Have Ancient Roots
False teeth have been around in some form since at least 700 B.C. when they were made out of human or animal teeth. Tooth decay became a much bigger problem after the Industrial Revolution when refined sugar became cheap, and our intake of it shot through the roof. Because more people were losing teeth, more people needed false ones, and denture technology advanced.
Easily the most famous man who needed dentures back in the day was George Washington. We’ve all heard about his wooden teeth, but they’re actually a myth. He had several sets of dentures, custom-made for him from hippo ivory and human teeth, with gold wires and brass screws to hold them together.
As you can see in the picture, his teeth were not up to the cosmetic standards of McOmie Family Dentistry but for the time we are sure they are state of the art.
Some of the dentures back in the 1700s were made from human teeth from people who either sold their teeth or from dead people. Can you imagine?! It is hard to believe the history of dentistry at the time and dentures have really advanced over the ages.
Modern Dentures Have Come A Long Way
Today, dentures are typically made of plastics and acrylic resin, but they come in several different types, so let’s look at the main ones.
The Classic: Full Denture
When none of the natural teeth can be saved, a conventional full denture is a common choice. The denture isn’t placed in the patient’s mouth until after the gum tissues have finished healing, which can take several months.
Many people don’t like going so long without teeth, so immediate full dentures can be used in the meantime. Because the bone changes shape over the course of those months, immediate full dentures have the drawback of not always fitting very well, and they can irritate the healing gums. On the upside, the patient doesn’t have to walk around with no teeth for a period of time.
With immediate dentures, the day the teeth are removed the dentures are given to the patient. It is a good and popular technique. Dr. McOmie can talk about the pros and cons of different treatments with you, making sure you get things the way you want them.
Want to learn how dentures are made? Check out the video below:
Partial Denture
When at least a few of the natural teeth are still present, they serve as excellent anchors for partial dentures that replace the missing teeth. Partial dentures can be inserted and removed in much the same way as retainers. Alternatively, a permanent bridge can be installed. Partial dentures are a great option because the more of your original teeth you have, the stronger your jawbones will be.
The greatest thing is here at McOmie Family Dentistry with our Trios intraoral scanner all we have to do is scan your mouth. Then THE NEXT VISIT you get your partial, and it will fit perfectly. The scanner is so exact it has made getting a partial easier than ever and a higher quality partial. We are one of only a few offices in the country with this technology and knowledge to do this procedure in this way. In fact, we helped develop the workflow to do this with our lab! This is one of the many things that sets us apart from other dental offices.
Going Bionic: Implant-Supported Denture
The main drawback with removable dentures is that they do little to prevent the bone loss in the jaws that occurs with tooth loss. Permanent options like dental implants, bridges, and implant-supported dentures do much better at continuing to apply the bite pressure the bone needs in order to stay strong, which preserves the shape of the face. They also make it easier to speak and chew than removable dentures, because they don’t have the risk of falling out.
Dr. McOmie always says the worst dental restoration is a lower denture. These days we rarely ever do a lower denture without the support of implants. An implant-supported denture literally snaps into place and stays there. To those that don’t have a lower denture, this doesn’t sound so amazing for those with a lower denture it sounds like a dream come true. It is truly life-changing. We have all seen the videos of people blowing out candles on their birthday cake then their dentures fly out onto the cake. Gross and embarrassing. This is a thing of the past with an implant retained denture.
Types Of Implant Supported Dentures
Yes, there are different types of implants to support your dentures. There are “mini implants” a mini implant is an implant with a diameter of less than 3mm. We offer these at $650 including the housing that goes into the denture. They are very affordable and do a great job. The way they work is, in one appointment Dr. McOmie places these implants and puts the housing in your denture. When you leave from this one appointment procedure, you will leave with dentures that snap-in. It is amazing. Imagine going from a denture that moves around to a denture that snaps in place in about an hour! It is true the future is now.
Standard diameter implant support these implants can support a denture with an attachment in the denture with as little as two implants. This is a great way to hold in a denture, and the hold is very strong. They will stay in when you blow those candles out on your birthday cake.
Bruxzir hybrid implant-supported denture is the pinnacle of dentures. It really doesn’t seem like a denture at all. It is just an arch of teeth made from zirconia and it is supported by at least 4 implants. One of the main advantages is on the upper it doesn’t cover the roof of your mouth. It does NOT come in and out it is attached to the implants and only Dr. McOmie will take it out at your cleaning appointments. Years ago we were among the dentists that pioneered this technique and made it common among advanced dental practices today. These dentures are so strong you can smash them with a hammer and they won’t break. They are amazing. Watch this video of a zirconia crown being hit with a hammer, the crown is much smaller and weaker than the denture. These teeth are virtually indestructible and the most beautiful of all dentures. A true win-win.
Bruxzir hybrid implant-supported denture is the pinnacle of dentures. It really doesn’t seem like a denture at all. It is just an arch of teeth made from zirconia, and at least four implants support it. One of the main advantages is on the upper it doesn’t cover the roof of your mouth. It does NOT come in and out it is attached to the implants, and only Dr. McOmie will take it out at your cleaning appointments. Years ago we were among the dentists that pioneered this technique and made it common among advanced dental practices today.
These dentures are so strong you can smash them with a hammer, and they won’t break. They are amazing. Watch this video of a zirconia crown being hit with a hammer, the crown is much smaller and weaker than the denture. These teeth are virtually indestructible and the most beautiful of all dentures. A true win-win.
New Developments Happen Every day
Check Out These 3D Printed Dentures
That is correct these dentures were printed with a 3-D printer. These are all one piece, so it is impossible for a single tooth to fall out. If you have dentures and have worn them for years, you have probably had a tooth break out of the denture base. With these new one-piece printed dentures that is a thing of the past. Isn’t technology knocking your socks off? Our doctors keep up with the latest techniques and technologies to bring the best to our patients.
Take Proper Care Of Your Dentures
All false teeth need regular cleaning to prevent discoloration and plaque buildup, whether they’re removable or permanent. They need to be brushed along with your gums, tongue, and palate. It’s important not to let them dry out, so you should store them in a denture-soaking solution or even water when you’re not wearing them—just not hot water. Ultrasonic cleaners will also help keep them clean (but they don’t replace brushing).
As you can tell, there are so many things that have changed about dentures. We are at the pinnacle of that change, and we can help you find the best solution to your problem.
There are many options when it comes to false teeth, and we can make them look natural, and we do consider dentures part of cosmetic dentistry. Your teeth should look natural and function well. Life is too short to live through dentures that don’t fit there is no reason for this. Give us a call we can come up with a treatment that will fit your desires and your budget. There truly is something for everyone.
Come See Us And Discuss Your Denture Options!
If you or a family member are considering dentures as an alternative to dental implants, don’t hesitate to talk to us! We can provide any information you need. It can be difficult to have confidence when you have missing teeth, but dentures can let you take charge again. Remember dentures vary greatly in price and quality. Implants have changed dentures in the best of ways. Talk to us and let us show you this new, modern, wonderful world of new-age dentures. You will be happy you did.
