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Dentures: From George Washington To The Modern Day Dentures In South Carolina

Most people in South Carolina associate dentures with tooth loss due to poor dental care on the part of the individual. While this is sometimes the case, the truth is that dentures are used to replace a person’s natural teeth due to injury, accidents, tooth developmental defects, or tooth and gum diseases. Dentures have come a long way, technologically speaking, even before the 18th Century when (as legend has it) George Washington, America’s first President, had a pair made from wood. While historical scholars have long since put the lie to that tall tale (George’s dentures were actually constructed from gold, ivory, lead, human and animal teeth) dentures are still shrouded in mystery and stereotype for most of the public. However, dental technology in South Carolina in just the last 20 years has created dentures that are so much like the real thing as to be practically invisible to the untrained eye.

Definition of dentures

Dentures are simply prosthetic teeth constructed to replace missing natural teeth. These replacement teeth are supported by the surrounding soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity. Most people in South Carolina are familiar with conventional dentures, which are made to be removable. Truth be told, there are many different denture designs. Among these are dentures that rely on bonding or clipping onto existing teeth. Also available are dental implants. This is where a dental prosthetic tooth or teeth are actually grafted onto the bone supporting the teeth in the mouth. These can be full dentures (replacing the full arch of teeth in either jaw) or what is referred to as a partial denture, where only a few teeth in a particular area are replaced.

There are two main categories of dentures, depending on whether they are used to replace missing teeth on the mandibular arch (lower jaw) or the maxillary arch (upper jaw). The benefits of dentures are both obvious to the average viewer and not so obvious. The fitting of dentures in an individual’s mouth is more aesthetically pleasing to others and gives more confidence to the wearer. Dentures also provide better chewing ability, the correction of the sunken appearance between the nose and chin plus provide structural support for the lips and cheeks. Over time, an individual’s mouth may also change shape. In this instance, your dentures will need to be adjusted to compensate for the change. Both types of dentures are available in South Carolina.

History of dentures

The first sets of dentures in Europe, constructed of bone or ivory or made from the teeth of corpses, were found in the 15th century although most scholars agree they probably existed to some extent before then. The same practices were generally still in place, with a few minor changes, in colonial South Carolina and the rest of the American colonies. On occasion even living donors would exchange their teeth for profit. These dentures were uncomfortable and usually rotted following extended use, necessitating a new set of dentures. These early models were attached to a base supported by any remaining teeth with a thread of metal or silk. As no dental profession per se existed in Europe until late in the 18th Century, those that fashioned dentures were usually goldsmiths, barbers (an early name for a surgeon) and ivory turners.

The first porcelain dentures were made around 1770 by Frenchman Alexis Duchateau. This was done in order to give a closer resemblance to natural teeth, be easier to secure to the jaw and would last indefinitely. Later dentures were made of vulcanite and in the 20th Century, acrylic resin and other plastics.

Denture technicians in South Carolina

Dentures are usually prepared by denture technicians across the U.S. and in South Carolina. While there is no process set in stone for becoming a denture technician, the completion of a college program in denture or dental technology or four or more years of on-the-job training under the supervision of a denture technician is required in most states. A denture technician student must then successfully complete a two-year minimum internship in a dental laboratory prior to taking the South Carolina exam for licensure and registration.

People often confuse denture technicians with denturists, who work directly with patients. Denture technicians can not actually work with patients unless they are qualified as both denturists and technicians. A denturist orders the specific appliance from a technician, who then creates the proper dentures following the denturist’s prescription and usually a mould of a patient's mouth or teeth. The mould is imperative for the technician in order to create the proper fitting component. The model serves as the basis of the new prosthetic device. Denture technicians will build a wax model of the dentures based on the teeth mold. Finally, a cast used to form the metal devices is set in place and the material used to make the precise shape is cast. The color of the teeth is also carefully matched.

Cost efficient denture programs in South Carolina

The College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston offers a wide range of patient care programs and clinical services ranging from simple cleanings to the most complex of care involving surgery, crowns or implants. This also includes the creation and fitting of dentures. Denture fitting and dental care usually progress slowly since dental treatment is primarily provided by dental students who are carefully supervised by faculty. Dental residents and full-time College faculty offer treatment for those cases too complex for our student dentists.

Otherwise, dentures are usually covered by most dental health insurance plans. The cost of dentures is significantly less than many other cosmetic dentistry procedures with the prosthetic plates costing as little as $500 with an upper limit of around $2,000 - $3,000. In addition to the cost of the denture you will also have to pay your dental fees which are likely to range between $400 and $1200 per plate.

Tips on finding the right dentures

• Talk with your South Carolina dentist. Though it might seem that your dentist might be the one to talk to you about dentures, you also may want to broach the subject before it becomes an immediate issue. Perhaps you have to take certain medications that can affect your dental health—epilepsy drugs, calcium channel blockers, or transplant drugs. Or perhaps you have troubles taking care of your teeth due to some other illness or memory problem. The best way to get the dentures that you need is to have an honest and open discussion with your dentist to discuss your options.
• Find out the types of dentures. Information is your best weapon in the fight to choose the right dentures. Realize that there are partial, complete and overdentures available for each individual situation. Like the names imply, partial and complete dentures are those that may take up only portions of the mouth (partial) while the complete dentures are taking the place of removed teeth. Overdentures are those that can fit over the teeth that remain. With your dentist, you can determine what option will work best for your mouth’s situation as well as for your overall comfort.
• Have your dentures immediately. One of the newer ways to have your dentures fitted is to look into immediate dentures. These are dentures that are created before you have your teeth removed so that you don’t have to go through any embarrassment of having gaps in your smile. While these will need to be adjusted as the jaw bone heals, these can be the right dentures for those that may have gaps in their front visible teeth.
• Go the conventional route. While conventional dentures require that you be without teeth for a few months as the dentures are being made, these dentures tend to fit a lot better than the immediate dentures. You will have your teeth extracted and your gums will have time to heal as your new set of teeth is being made. There may be times of discomfort and self-consciousness, but overall, this is the better way to get dentures.
• Take into consideration what you want. When it comes to choosing the right dentures for you, you want to take your time with your decision. This might mean consulting several dentists in order to see what each can do for you. Look at pictures of the dental work that they have previously done to see if you like the results that they have achieved. If you have troubles after receiving your dentures and find that you are using adhesive on a continuous basis, your dentures may need to be refitted. Dentures can be a fresh start to a great smile, but only if you take the time to find the best dentist and the best dentures for you.

Don’t make the mistake of many and assume that dentures last for life. Even if you have a full plate you will still need dental care. Cosmetic dentures aren’t designed to last for ever and the American Dental Association recommends that you replace your dentures every 4 – 7 years. Dentures wear out and can become loose and ill fitting. Old dentures can cause gum irritation, facial pain, reduced ability to chew and in some instance can cause pre-cancerous mouth and gum lesions. Always go down the safe route and get your dentures checked by a dentist in South Carolina on a regular basis.

Unlike some other cosmetic dentistry procedures your new dentures should be covered by your dental insurance. The cost of dentures is significantly less than many other cosmetic dentistry procedures with the prosthetic plates costing as little as $500 with an upper limit of around $2,000 - $3,000. In addition to the cost of the denture you will also have to pay your dental fees which are likely to range between $400 and $1200 per plate.

Dentures no longer have to be a burden. With everything that modern dentures have to offer, the return of your brilliant smile will be more than enough reason to take a little time and do it right.