What is an artificial tooth?
What comes to mind first when you think of artificial teeth? False or fake teeth, right? Yes, you guessed it correctly: artificial or false teeth are made using compatible dental material to replace your missing or damaged natural teeth. They are used to restore the appearance and function of your mouth.
Which type of artificial teeth are the best?
That depends on the state of your oral health, that is, the condition of your teeth and jawbone. The type of artificial teeth needed differs from person to person. Your dentist will assess your mouth to check your oral health and tell you about the best artificial teeth for you.
The different types of artificial teeth available to you are:
DENTURES: partial and complete
Dentures (also known as false teeth) are dental appliances created to replace your missing teeth, supported by the side by soft and hard tissues that are the gum and jawbone of your mouth.
Materials used for your denture are acrylic or metal.
They are used to replace your single or multiple teeth in the upper and lower arch of your mouth.
They fit over your gums.
They improve your speech and allow you to chew food. They also delay the sagging of your face due to aging and improve your appearance.
They can be fixed, removable, or flexible.
After getting dentures, you will take time to get adjusted to it. They can cause irritation and soreness in the start.
Your dentist will give you saltwater gargles and pain-relieving gels.
Keep them clean and maintain your oral health with the help of instructions given by your dentist for better results.
CROWNS AND BRIDGES
A dental crown is a cap used by dentists to replace your damaged teeth. Bridges are the extended version of crowns; they have multiple crowns connected to replace your missing or damaged teeth.
They are made up of metal, PFM, zirconia, or ceramic.
In most cases, root canal treatment is done before getting a crown or bridge. They are cemented to your natural teeth, covering them.
They protect your natural teeth and repair their function and appearance.
DENTAL IMPLANTS
Dental implants are also artificial teeth, which not only give you the crown part of the tooth but also give you the root of the teeth. Dental implants act as a root or support for the artificial teeth crown attached above it. Artificial teeth can also be given with dentures above implants to give fixed dentures.
How many years do artificial teeth last?
Your dentures can last from 5 to 10 years, dental crowns and bridges go five to 15 years or longer, and dental implants can last from 10-30 years. Depending on the age you get the implant, it will last for a lifetime.
Every artificial tooth’s lifespan depends on the material used, the aftercare you take, and the skills of your dentist.
Is it good to have artificial teeth?
Natural teeth are any day better than artificial teeth. But if, for some reason, you lose your teeth or your teeth are damaged, it is best to get them treated and replaced by artificial teeth. Always replace or treat your damaged or missing teeth, as leaving them untreated causes more damage. Your mouth loses its stability, upper and lower jaw balance is lost, adjacent teeth lose their support and start shifting, and opposing teeth become mobile.
How to take care of your artificial teeth
For dentures
Take out and wash dentures after eating.
Handle your dentures with care.
Wash your mouth after taking out your dentures.
Brush your dentures once a day, at least with a non-abrasive toothpaste and a soft bristle toothbrush.
Soak dentures in their case at night. Please do not wear them while you sleep.
Wash dentures before putting them back in your mouth, as you might use a denture-soaking solution.
For crowns and bridges
You should take care of your oral health by brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste and a soft brush.
Floss after every meal to remove the particles between your natural teeth and artificial teeth.
Don’t eat hard or sticky food items that cause wear and tear of artificial teeth crowns.
For dental implant
You can follow the same oral hygiene instructions as those for dental crowns and bridges. The healing time after placing a dental implant is important, so you need to take extra care.
You should take care of your oral health by brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste and a soft brush.
Floss after every meal to remove the particles between your natural teeth and artificial teeth placed on a dental implant.
Don’t eat hard or sticky food items that cause wear and tear of artificial teeth crowns.
Summary
Artificial teeth can be your dentures, crowns, bridges, and dental implants. In case your natural teeth are damaged, or you lose your natural teeth, you should get them replaced with artificial teeth from your dentist. Maintain good oral health after your treatment and follow instructions given by your dentist.
