“Are there any side effects of dentures?”
I am a 58 year old female. I want to know if there are any side effects of dentures?
5 Answers
Hello,
While it may not seem like there are any side effects of dentures, there are many downsides. First of all, it is important to distinguish between a partial denture and a complete denture. Then it is important to distinguish between an upper (maxilla) or lower (mandibular) denture. Then it is possible to compare the different downside of each. A complete denture replaces all the teeth in the upper or lower arch; as opposed to a partial denture that replaces only a portion of the maxillary or mandibular teeth. A complete denture rests on the soft tissues in the mouth as there are no teeth to help hold it in place. A partial denture rests on the soft tissues, but also has clasps to hook around the teeth. These clasps not only help hold it in, but also prevent it from rotating or sliding side to side. A complete denture is subject to all these movements. Secondly, a denture is made out of acrylic or metal and acrylic. The acrylic sits against gum tissues and has tendency to change the normal flora (bacteria) which leads to a fungal (yeast) infection in the exact shape of the denture. Finally, one of the biggest downsides to dentures is how and what someone can eat. It is not like the commercials on television where they show someone biting into an apple. That is marketing. Learning how to eat different foods and how to chew on both sides of the mouth at the same time has to be the biggest down side to dentures. Remember, these teeth are only made out of acrylic. They do not exert the same force as teeth or implants.
Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
While it may not seem like there are any side effects of dentures, there are many downsides. First of all, it is important to distinguish between a partial denture and a complete denture. Then it is important to distinguish between an upper (maxilla) or lower (mandibular) denture. Then it is possible to compare the different downside of each. A complete denture replaces all the teeth in the upper or lower arch; as opposed to a partial denture that replaces only a portion of the maxillary or mandibular teeth. A complete denture rests on the soft tissues in the mouth as there are no teeth to help hold it in place. A partial denture rests on the soft tissues, but also has clasps to hook around the teeth. These clasps not only help hold it in, but also prevent it from rotating or sliding side to side. A complete denture is subject to all these movements. Secondly, a denture is made out of acrylic or metal and acrylic. The acrylic sits against gum tissues and has tendency to change the normal flora (bacteria) which leads to a fungal (yeast) infection in the exact shape of the denture. Finally, one of the biggest downsides to dentures is how and what someone can eat. It is not like the commercials on television where they show someone biting into an apple. That is marketing. Learning how to eat different foods and how to chew on both sides of the mouth at the same time has to be the biggest down side to dentures. Remember, these teeth are only made out of acrylic. They do not exert the same force as teeth or implants.
Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
The major side effect of denture wearing is loss of retention and a change of taste due to the palate being covered.
Immediate side effects might occur in some people who are allergic to acrylic-plastic substance that denture is usually made of. Long-term side effects is chewing potential going down to 40%-60% of natural teeth depending if the denture is full or partial, faster bone loss, changes in the facial appearance .
Full dentures are a lesson in compromise, no tooth problems, beautiful straight looking teeth, easy to take care of -But- loss of ‘feel’ of food, change in ability to taste certain foods, decreased chewing forces, speech (sounds) changes, stability changes over time... If possible implants even implant supported dentures can improve all of the negatives.
Dentures are the last resort to teeth replacement. Once you lose your teeth, the surrounding area and bone undergoes a change called resorption, or, in a simple view, you lose bone and start the shrinkage process so dentures should be looked at as the last option.
