Dentures

Restore Your Smile with Dentures

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth, restoring normal function and appearance to your mouth.

Dentures Look Like Natural Teeth and Gums

The loss of several or all teeth from tooth decay, gum disease, or trauma can be a very disconcerting experience for the patient, disturbing their speech, their ability to chew food, and their self-confidence. Dentures can help restore mouth function and appearance to allow patients to return to normal life.

What Are Dentures?

A denture is a removable artificial set of teeth. It consists of replacement teeth set into a gum-colored appliance that fits over your natural gums. Dentures can be placed on either the upper or the lower jaw and are so constructed that a patient can take them in and out. That means he can remove and reinsert his dentures on his own, without needing to consult a dentist.

Partial and Full Dentures

There are two types of dentures: full dentures, also known as complete dentures, and partial dentures. Full dentures are used when all of a patient’s teeth are missing on the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain in the jaw.

Full dentures can be either “conventional” or “immediate.” Conventional dentures are prepared after the removal of teeth and once the tissue has healed.

Immediate dentures are pre-made and can be inserted immediately following tooth extraction. With immediate dentures, the patient need not spend a period of time without their teeth during healing. Bones and gums will shrink with time, particularly in the period of healing following the extraction of the patient’s teeth, so immediate dentures are often fitted for more frequent adjustments in fitting during healing and are usually only temporary in nature until conventional dentures can be constructed.

A partial denture comprises replacement teeth that are anchored to a base made from metal and gum-colored plastic. A partial denture ordinarily clips into some of your own natural teeth through clasps, where it snaps securely into place within your mouth.

How Are Dentures Fit?

It’ll take your dentist a series of visits to design and fit the dentures to you. The team begins by taking impressions of your gums. These impressions are sent to a lab, where a model of your mouth is made. The lab partners with your dentist to design your prosthesis, using the model as a base. As each phase of the design is completed, your dentist will meet with you to ensure a proper denture fit.

Are Dentures Worn 24 Hours a Day?

Your dentist will advise you on how long to wear dentures and when to remove them. In the first few days after getting your denture, you may be asked to wear it all the time, even while you sleep. This can be uncomfortable for a short period, but it is the fastest way to identify the areas that may need adjustment. Once your denture is comfortable, you should take it out at bedtime. This allows gum tissues to rest and allows normal stimulation and cleansing by the tongue and saliva. The denture can be placed back in the mouth in the morning.

What Do New Dentures Feel Like?

New dentures may feel a little awkward or loose for a few weeks as the muscles of the cheeks and tongue learn to keep them in place, and you become accustomed to inserting and removing them. It is not unusual for some minor irritation or soreness to occur and for saliva flow to increase when you first start wearing dentures, but these problems will lessen as the mouth adjusts.

Will Dentures Make Me Look Different?

Dentures are made to closely resemble natural teeth, so there should be little noticeable change in appearance. Depending on the state of your dental health prior to getting dentures, your dentures may significantly improve your smile and fill out your facial appearance.

Will Eating with Dentures Be Difficult?

Eating with dentures takes some practice and may feel awkward for some wearers for several weeks. Begin with soft food that is cut into small pieces. Chew slowly on both sides of your mouth. Once you become accustomed to your dentures, you will slowly transition back to a regular diet. Be careful with hot foods or hard foods, or things that are sticky in consistency. Avoid chewing gum if you have dentures.

Will Dentures Affect the Way I Talk?

You will probably find it hard to pronounce certain words after getting dentures. With practice, you will get used to speaking correctly. Dentures sometimes slip when you laugh, cough, or smile. Bite down and swallow to reposition the dentures. If dentures “click” while you are talking, or if any speaking problem persists, see your dentist.

Do I Need to Use a Denture Adhesive?

As advised by your dentist, a denture adhesive may be used in conjunction with properly fitting dentures to help improve retention, stability, the force of chewing with your dentures, and confidence. The adhesive should not be a means of covering up for mis fitting dentures or when your dentists haven’t inspected your dentures or your oral health for a long time.

 

What Are Common Problems Associated with Dentures?

– Soreness: This can occur with a new denture or due to poor fit.

– Slipping: While laughing, coughing, or smiling.

– Speaking difficulty: It becomes easy with time.

– Gum and mouth irritation: When the dentures do not fit properly.

 

Are There Alternatives to Dentures?

Well, sometimes teeth support cemented bridges using this type of dental implants whereby elimination of a denture happens in use. Dental implants are also the more invasive than the usage of dentures while on costs, usually higher though a tooth implant and bridge give very close resemblance to that natural chewing feeling. Not all qualify to use implants.

Care For Your Dentures

Proper denture care is important for the health of your dentures and your mouth. Poorly cared for dentures can harbour bacteria, which can lead to bad breath, tooth decay on remaining teeth, and other oral hygiene issues.

You can keep a clean denture by:

• Gently brush the surface of the denture with a soft-bristled brush and water. Do not use toothpaste because it is abrasive and may create microscopic scratches in the denture where plaque can build up.
• Ask your dentist if Denture cleaner is required.
• Don’t drop your denture as it may break.
• Dentures should always be kept moist in water or a denture solution when they are not being worn.
• Regular visits to the dental office. Your dentist will inspect your denture to check on whether it’s in good structural condition and can make adjustments where necessary.

Full dentures have a life span of between 5 to 10 years, and partial dentures, up to 15 years, with regular visit to the dentist and getting required modifications.

Are You a Candidate for Dentures?

In the event of lost teeth or if tooth decay or gum disease necessitates that several or more of your teeth are removed, then dentures will be appropriate for you.

 

 

I hope that these FAQs have helped address some of the questions you might have had about dentures! If you have specific questions or would like to know more, just ask.