Also referred to as false teeth, dentures are prosthetic devices made in the shape of natural teeth. They are fitted into your mouth to replace missing teeth. In the past, dentures were made from wood and animal bones, but modern ones are made of acrylic or other similar materials. Dentures generally come in two types: complete and partial. A complete denture will restore all the teeth on each ridge, while a partial one replaces only some.
At Smile Family Dentistry, patient satisfaction is our priority. We ensure that we focus special attention on each case by thoroughly assessing your mouth before proceeding with treatment. We are happy to help you determine if you can benefit from dentures.
Dentures date back to the seventh century BC, when the Etruscans made partial dentures from animal teeth or other human teeth fixed with gold bands. However, they were not long-lasting. It was in northern Italy that the Etruscans first invented these dentures. The technique of making dentures improved in the 1700s when walrus, hippopotamus, and elephant ivory were introduced.
Complete wooden dentures were first made in Japan in the early 16th century. Soft beeswax was placed in the patient's mouth to make an impression and then hardened with harder beeswax. Using that model, they then crafted wooden dentures with a broad base to stay in place. They were entirely wooden until the 18th century, when the Japanese used natural human teeth, animal ivory, or sculpted pagodite to make dentures.
In the 1770s, French dentists were not pleased with ivory, and they invented dentures made out of porcelain, since it was more durable than ivory. Each tooth was crafted individually to ensure it attained the appearance of natural teeth. Even though porcelain provided a more durable denture, the use of human teeth was still conventional.
The denture technique improved in the 1820s, when Samuel Stockton started producing porcelain dentures with 18-carat gold plate bases. An English goldsmith by the name of Claudius Ash also adopted the same technique during that period. These were more durable and functioned better than the older models, although they were hard to clean. In 1850, the bases of dentures were upgraded to vulcanite, a form of hard rubber.
Modern dentures are now made of resin, acrylic, and other plastics. They are commercially fabricated in laboratories or by dentists. The dentist starts by making an impression of the mandibular and maxillary ridges similar to the patient’s jaw. A second impression made of polysiloxane is made to attain a more accurate and detailed image of the ridges. A wax rim is used as the base to hold the teeth in place to place the denture teeth in the correct position.
Modern dentures today are created for comfortability and function. Users can experience having artificial teeth and feel like they have natural teeth after adjusting to them.
If you are going through a rough time due to tooth loss, worry no more, as we will help you find a long-lasting solution to restore your missing teeth. Getting fitted with dentures from us today can help you feel more comfortable and confident. To learn more about dentures please do not hesitate to contact us here at Smile Family Dentistry at 925-825-1130 today.