In the United States alone, 41.23 million Americans wear dentures. Because of this prevalence, there are many options on the market to replace damaged, decayed, or missing teeth. One of the most common options for replacing an entire row of missing teeth is natural-looking dentures customized for each patient.
Dentists and patients work together to design customized dentures. While the aim is to make dentures look as natural as possible in the mouth, here are five considerations that make some dentures look more realistic than the rest:
Gums Matter
Throughout denture history, patients have complained about denture bases not blending in with gums. From 18-carat gold plates to Vulcanite (hardened rubber) to polymethylmethacrylate (acrylic resin), dentists constantly innovated to find high-grade materials for denture bases. Acrylic resin bases were invented in 1938 and are still used today because they are non-toxic, hard, and translucent. Acrylic resin bases are also easily repaired.
A common denture complaint is that the base attached to the gums can appear unnaturally pink or are limited in shades. Other complaints about denture bases are:
- Extensive curvature around the teeth
- Lack of details
To make the most natural-looking dentures, dental lab technicians can customize dentures with:
- Naturalistic silhouette of gums
- Layered acrylics to mimic the appearance of soft tissues
- Realistic details (such as imitation blood vessels)
Shape of Teeth
Like most things in life, teeth are not one size fits all. Each tooth’s shape and size depend on its function and varies from person to person. Many cookie-cutter dentures have relatively low options for customizing teeth and commonly come with standard-sized teeth already installed.
Customized dentures allow patients to meet their personal aesthetic goals. Patients have the freedom to select types of teeth. Have you ever dreamed of having the perfect smile? Dentists can perfectly align and shape teeth for a straight, radiant smile.
Tooth Texture and Translucency
Often, dentures can look flat and too translucent. Plastic teeth will look plastic. When light shines on plastic, it can look translucent and not like enamel. Ceramic surfaces that are glazed too smoothly can also look flat and unnatural, especially in natural light.
Enamel is the hardest substance found in the human body but is porous and lightly textured in nature. Dental lab technicians can build prosthetic teeth with a material of your choice: acrylic, resin, or porcelain. Most importantly, skilled dental lab technicians texturize customized dentures, which helps them reflect light throughout the teeth.
Tooth Color
Most people love bright white teeth, but teeth that are too white can be blinding. Patients can choose between several shades to find dentures that match the individual’s face. Dentists can match teeth to skin complexion to find a shade of white that looks perfectly natural.
Proper Fit
If maintained correctly, appropriate fitting dentures should last for years. Dentures that are too loose in the mouth can protrude from the mouth and make jaws look and feel misaligned.
Not only do ill-fitting dentures look and feel off, but they also are accompanied by many health problems, including:
- Potential nutritional deficiencies
- Irritated and inflamed gums
- Headaches
- Bone atrophy
- Oral thrush
If your dentures become loose, visit the dentist as soon as possible. They can help reline and reshape the dentures to make them fit the mouth more comfortably.
Are You Ready for Beautiful Dentures?
At Chisholm Trail Smile Center, Dr. Mathew L. Bridges applies contemporary techniques to create dentures that look great and are affordable. Message us online or call us at 580-255-4880 to schedule a consultation for natural dentures in Duncan, OK today.
