by What are Full Arch Dentures?
A full arch denture is a removable appliance that replaces all the natural teeth in the upper or lower jaw. Made of acrylic resin, these dentures work by snapping over the gum ridges to provide support. Full arch dentures are created by a denturist or prosthodontist when significant tooth loss has occurred.
Getting Fitted for Prosthetic Full Arch Dentures
The dentist will first take impressions of the dental ridges and surrounding tissues to create a mold of your mouth. From this mold, a wax or 3D printed model will be made to design the dentures. Multiple try-in appointments allow adjustments to be made for proper fit, occlusion, and comfort. Retention is improved by relining or rebasing the dentures over time as ridges shrink or change.
Benefits of Full Arch Dentures
Full arch dentures help restore complete tooth function after extensive tooth loss. They improve chewing ability, aesthetics with a natural-looking smile, and confidence with social interactions that involve eating or speaking. Prosthetic Full Arch Dentures also prevent ongoing bone loss from tooth extraction sites keeping the jaw healthy and strong. Regular brushing and cleaning beneath the dentures aids in oral hygiene maintenance.
Limitations of Prosthetic Full Arch Dentures
As removable appliances, full dentures may feel loose initially especially during activities like eating. It takes practice to speak and masticate food comfortably. Retention depends on healthy oral tissues and regular resets as ridges resorb with time. Rarely there may be sensitivity, sore spots or pain from ill-fitting dentures. Though esthetic, dentures lack several functions of natural teeth like temperature sensitivity.
Caring for Full Arch Dentures
Dentures must be cleaned daily using a denture brush and solution to remove debris and plaque. They should be stored in water or a cleansing solution when not in use to prevent cracking or warping. Denture adhesives provide short-term retention help but are not a replacement for regular rebasing. Damaged or loose dentures need prompt repair to avoid tissue irritation and bone loss over time. Follow-up visits every 6 months allow for assessment and adjustments.
Alternatives to Prosthetic Full Arch Dentures
For some patients with few remaining teeth, removable partial dentures over dental implants may be a better solution than complete dentures. Implants can provide stable anchorage without relying on decreasing ridges. Fixed bridges are another alternative that cements replacement teeth between dental crowns to create a fixed restoration. However, those options are more expensive than conventional full dentures.
Longevity of Full Arch Dentures
With proper care, prosthetic full arch dentures can last several years before requiring relines or remakes to refit changing ridges. However, natural resorption does gradually decrease their retention over time. For active patients, average lifespan is estimated at 3-5 years before renewal is needed. Those who care well for dentures by following cleaning routines and annual check-ups can extend this to 7-10 years. Early detection of issues allows timely repairs to maximize functionality.
Adjusting to Life with Full Dentures
It does take some adjustment and practice to feel fully comfortable with full dentures, especially during eating initially. Speaking may be slightly altered until the mouth adapts. Following a soft food diet for a few days then gradually introducing tougher textures helps. Using the tongue strategically for chewing and swallowing compensates too. Within a few weeks, denture wearers adapt remarkably to regain confidence. Regular dentist follow-ups ensure optimal fit as ridges change. With care, full dentures can restore smiles and oral health for years.
Prosthetic Full Arch Dentures are a reliable treatment option when natural teeth are badly deteriorated or missing. By replacing the entire dental arch, they restore chewing abilities, facial aesthetics and confidence. Through proper care and follow-ups with a dentist, full dentures can function effectively for many years. While no replacement for natural teeth, full dentures certainly enhance oral health and quality of life after extensive tooth loss when other alternatives may not be feasible.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
