We use our teeth every time we smile, talk, or eat. Our mouths and teeth allow us to convey various emotions, form words, and even start the digestive process.
Our teeth are such a significant part of our lives that it’s disheartening when we lose them. Fake teeth are designed to replace damaged or lost teeth.
There’s no need to get worked up if you have crooked, chipped, or missing teeth that are affecting your smile, speech, or self-confidence. Your dentist can correct even the most challenging and complex aesthetic issues, thanks to contemporary cosmetic dentistry.
What are fake teeth?
Fake teeth are prosthetics used to replace missing teeth or cover damaged ones. They’re custom molded to complement your mouth.
Fake teeth, particularly implant-supported teeth, now appear, feel, and function like natural teeth. The materials fake teeth are made from differs from the material that makes up natural teeth. You could have a different “feel” for them at first. You will, however, quickly get accustomed to them, and they will become an integral part of your oral cavity.
In terms of appearance, fake teeth are indistinguishable from natural teeth. There are different types of fake teeth designed to serve different purposes.
Types of fake teeth
1. Dentures
Dentures are removable devices that hold artificial teeth and are mounted on a plate that rests on top of the soft tissues covering the gap left by a lost tooth. Dentures are placed to replace lost teeth and are typically made of acrylic, nylon, and metal.
Dentures that are correctly fitted provide many advantages, including improved speech, eating ability, and self-confidence. It may also protect your remaining teeth.
Dentures fit tightly over the gums and can be used to replace one tooth, multiple teeth, or all of your teeth. A partial denture replaces a few missing teeth, whereas a complete denture replaces a whole set of teeth.
2. Veneers
A porcelain veneer is a thin shell attached to the front surface of the teeth to conceal aesthetic and structural flaws.
Veneers can mimic the size, shape, and color of your teeth to match your smile. They can also repair minor, aesthetic problems such as gapped, crooked, or chipped teeth. However, they’re not capable of replacing lost teeth.
3. Crown
A crown is a fake tooth that covers the whole visible surface of a tooth. It is used to cover stains, reinforce broken teeth, and correct cosmetic issues like small dental misalignments.
4. Bridges
A bridge is a device used to replace missing teeth by using the good teeth on each side to gain support. Bridges are also kept in place by a dental crown glued to surrounding teeth or an implant.
5. Dental implants
A dental implant is a metallic device implanted into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth root. The implants make close contact with the adjacent jaw bone, forming a solid framework for any tooth replacement affixed to it.
Implants are are an ideal solution to replace lost teeth since they are permanent, aesthetically pleasing, strong, and easy to maintain. For maintenance, brush them the same way you would a natural tooth.
Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth, numerous teeth, or all of your teeth.
6. Removable (snap-on) veneers
Snap-on teeth are an aesthetic device used to conceal missing teeth, gapped teeth, stains, chips, and other defects. These teeth are not curative and cannot fix more severe issues such as crooked teeth because they are not engineered to modify the structure of your teeth.
Acquiring snap-on veneers is usually a simple procedure. A dentist will collect molds of your teeth for reference. When your snap-on veneers are finished, your dentist will do a final fitting to verify that they fit correctly.
Conversely, snap-on teeth are available to purchase from Amazon. To fit, soften the plastic by soaking the teeth in hot water and then wear the snap-on over your natural teeth. The snap-on teeth will solidify as the plastic cools, creating your personalized set of teeth.
They’re an excellent alternative for those who want a nice smile but don’t want to commit to permanent veneers.
How can you maintain fake teeth?
Just like natural teeth, fake teeth have to be maintained and cleaned daily as well. We’ll give you a few tips.
- Removing snap-ons makes it easier to clean them and your natural teeth.
- There are cleaning products designed specifically for fake teeth. The correct product depends mainly on what materials your fake teeth are made of. Contact your dentist for advice.
- Don’t twist or bend them.
- Prevent removable teeth from drying out by soaking them overnight, ensure they’re cleaned before reusing them.
- Don’t drink liquids that are hot enough to deform the fake teeth. It’s also a good idea to stay away from hard foods and chewy foods like gum and maintain a healthy diet.
Side effects of fake teeth
While fake teeth are our best solution to a common problem, it still isn’t quite like natural teeth, and it comes with a few side effects.
- Increase in saliva: This is natural and will go away as your mouth adjusts to the new implant. Some people also suffer nausea for a short time.
- Forced diet: As we mentioned earlier, you’ll have to avoid certain foods to maintain your fake teeth, especially when they’re new. However, even if you’ve had them for a while, you may still need to be careful not to exert excessive stress on them.
- Initial difficulty speaking: It may be challenging to speak with the teeth at first, but this will improve with time.
- Mouth sores and Irritation: This is normal when the teeth are new. It usually goes away as you acclimatize. To help cure these symptoms, rinse them with saltwater and practice good dental hygiene.
Adjusting to fake teeth can take a while. Your facial muscles require time to adjust to alterations in your bite, as well as the altered position of your tongue, lips, and cheeks.
Final thoughts
The loss of natural teeth necessitates the existence of fake teeth. Regardless of tooth loss, deciding to restore your smile and confidence is as good a reason as any.
If your natural teeth are still strong and functional, make sure to keep them healthy by avoiding excess sugar intake.