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Dentures

life science Maturity 7-9 Next article →

Dentures, often called false teeth, are prosthetic devices used to replace missing teeth. These devices are supported by the hard and soft tissues found in the oral cavity. Dentures are vital for maintaining several essential bodily functions. They assist with mastication, which is the process of chewing food. They also improve aesthetics by providing support for the lips and cheeks. This prevents the collapsed facial appearance that can happen after tooth loss. Furthermore, dentures aid in pronunciation. They help patients speak more clearly, especially when using sibilants and fricatives.

Occclusal denture example
Occclusal denture example

There are several distinct types of dentures categorized by how they fit and stay in place. Removable dentures can be taken out of the mouth by the user. Complete dentures are used when a person is missing all teeth in a single arch. These fit onto either the maxillary arch, which is the upper jaw, or the mandibular arch, which is the lower jaw. They stay in place through the use of suction. Partial dentures are used when some teeth remain. Fixed partial dentures, known as crowns and bridges, are more stable because they are attached to remaining teeth. These use crowns that act as abutments to support the replacement teeth, called pontics.

Dentures in Marrakesh Morocco
Dentures in Marrakesh Morocco

Modern dentures are primarily manufactured using acrylic resin. Most are composed of heat-cured or cold-cured polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). This material is chosen because it is easy to manipulate and resembles the color of oral tissues. Manufacturers add coloring agents to mimic the shade of gums. They may also add synthetic fibers to replicate small capillaries in the mucosa. While acrylic is common, it can be fragile and may fracture. To increase strength, some dentures are reinforced with cobalt chromium (Co-Cr). This metal allows the denture to be thinner and more comfortable while remaining very strong.

Maintaining oral health is a major challenge for denture wearers. Approximately 70% of denture wearers suffer from denture stomatitis. This is an inflammatory condition of the skin under the denture. It is often caused by a mixed infection of Candida albicans and various bacteria like Staphylococcus or Streptococcus. Risk factors include poor hygiene, wearing dentures at night, and denture trauma. Stomatitis can appear as localized inflammation, generalized redness, or papillary hyperplasia. Another common issue is mouth ulceration. This is often caused by repetitive minor trauma from a poorly fitting denture.

Pierre Fauchard - Le Chirurgien Dentiste - dentures
Pierre Fauchard - Le Chirurgien Dentiste - dentures

People lose teeth for many different biological and environmental reasons. Dental disease, including tooth decay and periodontal disease, is a very common cause. Periodontitis is an inflammatory condition where the connective tissue attachment to the tooth root is lost. This eventually leads to the loss of the alveolar bone. Pregnancy can also cause tooth loss due to hormonal changes. These hormones can increase the risk of gingivitis. Additionally, vomiting during pregnancy can cause gastric reflux. The hydrochloric acid in the stomach has a very low pH of 1.5 to 3.5. This acid can coat the enamel on the palatal surfaces of the maxillary teeth and wear it away.

Carved ivory upper and lower denture Wellcome L0003910
Carved ivory upper and lower denture Wellcome L0003910

History shows that humans have been seeking tooth replacements for thousands of years. As early as the 7th century BC, the Etruscans in northern Italy created partial dentures. They used human or animal teeth fastened together with gold bands. In the 16th century, wooden dentures were invented in Japan. These were carved based on impressions made of softened beeswax. In 1728, Pierre Fauchard described dentures that used metal frames and animal bone teeth. The first porcelain dentures were created around 1770 by Alexis Duchâteau. By 1820, Samuel Stockton was manufacturing high-quality porcelain dentures mounted on 18-carat gold plates.

Famous historical figures also dealt with the complexities of tooth replacement. George Washington is a well-known example of someone who struggled with dental issues. He lost his first adult tooth at age twenty-two and had only one tooth left by his presidency. He used several sets of false teeth, including sets made by dentist John Greenwood. While many believe his dentures were made of wood, they were actually made of other materials. One of his presidential sets was carved from hippopotamus and elephant ivory. These were held together using gold springs. His dental history provides a clear look at the evolving technology of prosthetics.

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🖼️ Images & Media (4)
File:Occclusal denture example.jpg
Occclusal denture example.jpg
File:Dentures in Marrakesh Morocco.jpg
Dentures in Marrakesh Morocco.jpg
File:Carved ivory upper and lower denture Wellcome L0003910.jpg
Carved ivory upper and lower denture...
File:Pierre Fauchard - Le Chirurgien Dentiste - dentures.png
Pierre Fauchard - Le Chirurgien Dentiste...
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