Many of the recent changes to dentures have made them more cosmetically appealing. Dentures that were made thirty to forty years ago looked unnatural, and could easily be spotted as fakes. However, new technology, such as the color of the material used to create your dentures, has made them look much more normal. Another recent advance in dentures is that the fitting of dentures has been greatly improved. 

There are several types of dentures that are just beginning to become popular with users. Dentures used to be much less common, not only due to the fact that people could not afford quality dental care, but dentures required all of your teeth to be pulled and then have your mouth fitted for the prosthetic. This could be an extremely long and painful process. However, now you can have partial dentures, or full dentures depending on your exact needs. If you have lost one or two teeth, you can have a partial denture made. These partial dentures are created to fill the gaps left by the teeth that you have lost. Not only will these partial dentures require less work on your mouth, but they will make sure that your existing teeth do not try to move and take over the space where your old tooth would have been.

Full dentures may require you to have several teeth pulled. However, once your teeth have been pulled, you can have your dentures as soon as the same day. If your appointment is early enough, your dentist may be able to mold your teeth, have a lab make your dentures and have you fitted all within the same day. However, some complete dentures may take longer for a dental lab to make. Your new dentures will fit on comfortably, and should not cause any pain. Dentures have recently been made so that they push down slightly on the gums to ensure a clean and tight fit. Full dentures will look and feel just like a real set of teeth would, thanks to modern technology and amazing artistic skill.

Modern technology has helped dentures advance into the 21st century. No longer do you need to have dentures that will not close, or have to pull all your teeth in order to have a set of dentures made for your mouth. Dentures even look and feel like real teeth. Whether you need a partial set of dentures or a full denture, there is no any need to delay in getting your dentures.

Copyright 2009 Denture Friend

Historically, having missing teeth was far more than a mere nuisance. Soft foods were not readily available, and it was not unheard of for people without any teeth to simply starve to death. Often a lack of teeth caused problems with an individual’s social standing. In the Middle Ages and later those in poor health were often shunned out of fear, and missing teeth was widely held to be a sign of disease. A sure sign of a woman’s marriageability in the Middle Ages was not her general physical beauty but how good her teeth were.

The first recognizable set of dentures discovered certainly do date back to 700 B.C., but there is ample evidence that ceremonial sets of dentures may have been worn as long as 4,500 years ago. These ceremonial dentures were not designed to replace lost teeth but rather to cover their normal appearance, much like the rappers golden “grilles” of the 21st Century which also serve no purpose other than ostentatious decoration. Dentures finally became readily available in the mid 1500s, but at great financial cost, and were considered a luxury only for the wealthy for centuries.

The earliest dentures were crafted from animal bone, or made directly from the human teeth of others, often taken from those lying dead on the battlefield. These stolen teeth were of course a very poor solution, and may have been responsible for all kinds of infections that were impossible to treat centuries ago. The first porcelain dentures began appearing around 1774, and fairly quickly replaced other materials used in denture making. These porcelain falsies were of course far more durable and attractive than their crude predecessors but the excessive whiteness still made it obvious to all that a person was wearing dentures.

Undoubtedly the most famous dentures belonged to President George Washington. Washington began to lose his teeth in his early twenties as a result of frequent childhood illnesses that called for a medication called Calomel that permanently damages natural tooth enamel. The myth that says that Washington’s dentures were wooden is however false. The dentures he wore throughout his Presidency were crafted from several expensive materials. The base was made from genuine hippopotamus ivory and the teeth themselves were a mixture of carved elephant ivory and human cadaver teeth. He had several pairs made over the years, but not of them ever contained wood of any kind. Where that rumor began is unclear.

Copyright 2009 Denture Friend

There are four types of dentures available to you. Some are obviously going to be more expensive than others. This is just going to give you a brief overview of what’s available to you.

Standard Denture

The standard denture is designed for individuals who have already lost all of their original teeth. TRhese are the types of dentures that have been used for the past few decades, although there have been a few modifications in order to help them fit better and be more comfortable to wear. These standard dentures can be sized by removing some of the back portion of the denture. The only drawback to doing this is that the more that is removed, the less of a seal you’ll have in your mouth to hold them in place.

Immediate Dentures

Immediate dentures are not exactly what you would think. They are actually the temporary dentures that patients are fitted with immediately after having their teeth extracted. The term “immediate” gives some people the impression that they’re getting dentures made for them the same day, as if they were going through a denture drive up window, but that’s not the case.

Cu-Sil Dentures

Cu-Sil dentures aren’t a very good solution for people that have many individual stable, natural teeth. There are actually a lot of problems with this type of denture because of the difficulty of alignment and stability. In many cases, Cu-Sil dentures will not work effectively for some that have no teeth at all to help stabilize the new denture. Ask your dentist more about Cu-Sil dentures and if they are a viable option for you.

Dental Implants

Implants are by far the most expensive denture option available. The cost of a full set of implants can rival a down payment on a middle class home. The reason for this is that they are the most effective denture solution by far. Posts are inserted into the persons jaw and allowed to heal in place. After doing this your dentures can be snapped into place allowing much more stability. Many people with implants have said it’s almost like having real teeth again because they can eat almost normally.

As I said before, this is just a brief overview of the types of dentures available to you. You should contact a dentist and ask any additional questions that you may have.

Joe Stewart is a former Life & Health Agent that now works independently and provides expert information to others.

Laser Dentistry Offers Important Benefits

Laser dentistry is often less painful and invasive than traditional methods. For example, a patient could opt for laser surgery to avoid anesthesia during some procedures. Patients with cosmetic or oral health issues, especially those with low pain tolerance or a fear of dental procedures, may favor laser dentistry over surgery or other treatments.

Other benefits of laser dentistry include:

*Most dental procedures performed by laser do not necessitate the use of sutures, where traditional surgical methods would require them to control bleeding and promote healing.

*Lasers are precise; therefore, damage to the surrounding tissue is rare and usually minimal.

*The high-energy beam helps the blood to clot, resulting in less bleeding and discomfort. It also promotes cellular healing, leading to faster recovery times.

*The laser beam sterilizes the area the dentist is working on, which helps to prevent post-operative infection.

Dentists appreciate the accuracy, speed and control of laser treatments. They can perform more delicate or precise procedures quicker and with less patient discomfort. Because it is a relatively new technology, laser dentistry is improving and becoming more affordable every day. It is expected that as costs drop and demand increases, laser technology will soon be available in most dental offices.

How Do Dental Lasers Work?

There are many different types of dental lasers, but all can be classified as one of two kinds: Hard or Soft Tissue Dental Lasers.

Hard Tissue Lasers are used to accurately cut or shave bones and teeth. They may be used to repair some types of fillings or to prepare teeth for bonding.

Soft Tissue Lasers penetrate soft tissues such as the gums. The laser actually cauterizes the affected nerves and blood vessels, promoting faster healing and reducing post-operative pain.

Other lasers are used to view the inside of teeth using Optical Coherence Tomography, or provide energy to help the cells heal. It is believed that lasers will soon replace the dentist’s drill – once the technology is in place to allow the dentist to access the entire tooth without surgery or drilling, those invasive, painful procedures will become obsolete.

Laser Dentistry – Is It Right for Your Procedure?

Dental lasers are used in a number of different ways. Discuss your options with your dentist – if they do not use the technology, they may refer another dentist who does. Together, consider your pain tolerance, the dentist’s experience using lasers to correct your problem, your expected recovery time and the anticipated results should you choose laser dentistry instead of traditional methods.

Laser dentistry is used to treat, diagnose or prevent the following oral health issues:

Detecting Cavities – A low-intensity laser beam can provide a reading of the by-products of tooth decay, allowing the dentist to determine when cavities are present.

Optical Coherence Tomography – This revolutionary technology permits the dentist to view the inside of the teeth or gums, a procedure which would have required invasive surgery or harmful x-rays before.

Temperature Sensitivity – The tubules responsible for tooth temperature sensitivity, located at the root, can be sealed with laser technology.

Tumor Removal – Dentists can use lasers to remove benign tumors inside the mouth. This is a relatively pain-free, sterile operation as the laser reduces bleeding, kills bacteria and negates the need for sutures.

Tooth Fillings – Laser treatment is not only easier at the time of the procedure, but could lead to better long-term results. When a laser is used to remove the decay, it kills the bacteria deep in the tooth, preventing future cavities.

Nerve Regeneration – Lasers are used by other health professionals, such as Chiropractors and Massage Therapists, to regenerate damaged nerves and blood vessels. Known as Photo-biomodulation, this technique is useful in treating oral scar tissue and soft tissue damaged by other procedures or conditions.

Soft Tissue Folds – Denture-wearers with improperly fitted teeth may develop soft tissue folds, a painful condition that is easily treated with laser therapy.

Muscle Attachment – Some infants and children suffer from a tightened or restricted frenulum, which can result in an inability to breastfeed or a speech impediment. Laser treatment is effective in treating this condition.

Laser treatment has quickly become a crucial component in any cosmetic dentistry, as well. It is used in:

Teeth Whitening – Dentists use low-intensity lasers to speed the bleaching process in cosmetic teeth procedures.

Gum Reshaping/Crown Lengthening – Laser dentistry is effective in reshaping gum tissue when part of the healthy tooth structure is hidden by overdeveloped gums. This is also used to prepare teeth for restorative procedures.

Treating Cold Sores – Dentists use low-intensity lasers to reduce the pain, swelling and redness of cold sores.

Where to Find Laser Dentistry Services

As more dentists practice laser dentistry, new procedures are tested and perfected. Patients appreciate the reduced risk and recovery time of laser procedures and as more and more demand that this technology be used in their dental offices, dentists around the world are complying.

Choose a dentist trained in laser dentistry for your cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening and oral health needs. Ask friends and relatives for referrals, or have the dentist you choose provide references you can contact. Depending on your oral and overall health histories, current problems and treatment expectations, laser treatment may be a viable option for you. Discuss recovery times, the need for anesthesia and any other questions you have with your dentist.

James Wagner is a freelance writer and medical researcher.