Post

Did you know dentures used to be made with pieces of animal teeth or wood? Thanks to advancements in design methods and materials, those days are long gone! However, with such a background, it makes sense to want to know what your dentures in Pembroke Pines are made of and how they’re crafted. 

Manufacturing dentures is a complex art that considers each patient’s mouth and health-related needs. Here’s everything you need to know to better understand this. 

What Are Dentures? 

Dentures are a type of prosthodontic that replaces missing teeth. Unlike bridges or implants, dentures can be removed and put back into your mouth whenever you want—in fact, you have to do this often to clean and maintain them.  

Dentures can be full or partial. Complete dentures fit comfortably over your entire upper or lower jaw, while partial dentures replace a single tooth or a few teeth. 

There’s also a third type of denture, called implant-supported dentures, that is supported by and attached to dental implants positioned in the jawbone. Because of that, they can offer the wearer more support, strength, and comfort. 

What Are Dentures Made Of? 

Crafting dentures is no easy task. That’s why they need to be made from long-lasting materials designed to withstand the strength of your bite and the corrosion of your saliva while ensuring the health of any remaining teeth and other tissue. 

To understand what dentures are made of, let’s divide them into three parts. 

• The base of the denture imitates your gums. It’s made from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a pigmented acrylic customized to mimic the look and color of your natural gum tissue. 

• The teeth are mostly made from acrylic or porcelain, the latter being much rarer. Porcelain dentures last longer but weigh more, which can be uncomfortable. Acrylic dentures, however, are more secure and cling to the denture base better. 

• Some partial dentures are made with a metal framework built right into the design. This enhancement ensures the dentures function better and last longer by adding an additional degree of stability and durability.

How Are Dentures Made? 

Dentures are tailor-made to fit your mouth, both in size and color. Because of that, manufacturing dentures is a delicate process and can take several weeks. Here’s what you can expect: 

• Step 1: A dental professional will evaluate your condition, assessing your remaining natural teeth, gum tissues, facial muscles, and any potential issues like tooth decay or gum disease. Based on that, they’ll suggest a type of denture that better suits your needs. 

• Step 2: Your dentist will need to take digital impressions and X-rays of your mouth to create a model that will ensure a proper fit for your denture. They can also use a dental plaster to make a physical base.  

• Step 3: Using the impressions, your dentist will create models, usually from wax or plastic. They will ask you to try them on to ensure they fit comfortably and that the colors are natural-looking. 

• Step 4: The model is placed in an articulator, which is a tool that simulates its jaw. Then, the technician uses wax to attach the fake teeth. Once the teeth are snugly fit, the technician carves the wax to look like your gums. 

• Step 5: The wax model is invested in a flask filled with additional plaster to preserve the shape of the denture. The flask is then submerged in hot water to melt out the wax. 

• Step 6: The dental assistant will inject acrylic into the denture to replace the wax that was keeping it together and cure it. 

• Step 7: After that, the plaster mold can be removed. The technician will eliminate any leftover plaster by immersing the acrylic dentures in an ultrasonic bath. 

• Step 8: Last but not least, the denture is polished and trimmed. 

• Step 9: The dentures are ready. The dentist will call you to arrange the initial fitting. 

Want to Learn More About Dentures in Pembroke Pines? 

Dentures are one of the oldest teeth prosthodontics in history. Throughout time, they worked as an effective solution for people who had missing teeth, restoring their bite’s function and giving them a beautiful smile.  

Luckily, their usefulness remains the same today, but their materials are better and more durable. Here at Village Square Dental, the quality of our providers is a top priority, as it’s the only way to ensure a patient’s long-lasting oral health. 

If you want to learn more, give us a call!