Dentures – Be Smiling Again!

What are Dentures?

Dentures are a detachable replacement for missing teeth and the joining tissues that can be taken in and out. It’s made from acrylic resin, occasionally in combo with different metals. You can have complete one replacing all the teeth in your mouth, or a partial denture that does the job of filling in spaces that are left from missing teeth, not allowing the other teeth to be changed in position. Dentures that are complete can be either conventional or, what they call “immediate.” A dentist will typically wait about 30 days after the regular teeth are removed before putting in conventional dentures to enable healing. The immediate ones are placed in right away after teeth are removed. The disadvantage with dentures that are immediate, is that they might call for more correction or adjusting after healing.

When are Dentures needed?

Patients needing complete or full dentures have lost many or all of their teeth. Partial ones are ideal if you have some normal teeth still in place. It allows you to keep your chewing and speech functions, and support the muscles of the face to give you a natural look.

The Procedure for Dentures

Dentists will make a complete set of dentures whenever all teeth have already been lost or the area for all extracted teeth has healed. This can take up to eight or more weeks. The procedure itself requires about one month and five or so appointments. First, a preliminary diagnosis is made, then an impression and a wax bite are taken to figure out the vertical dimensions and the appropriate jaw position. After that, a temporary denture is positioned to make sure of proper form, color, and a good fit. Finally, the actual one is positioned with small corrections made as necessary.

Brand new patients require a little time to get used to the brand new “teeth.” Even a perfect fitting set can feel uncomfortable to start. While many can talk comfortably typically within a couple of hours, some patients report a little discomfort in either talking or eating for a few days or even weeks afterward. While getting comfortable with your new dentures, you can begin with softer foods that are easy to chew. New denture wearers will sometimes observe a small change in the look of their face, a possible enhanced flow of the salivary glands, and some minor trouble in speaking.

Care of your Dentures?

Dentures are quite fragile and should be handled with care. They should be removed and cleaned each day, ideally with a toothbrush that is made for cleaning them and with special cleansers. Do not use any abrasive or harsh cleansers because they might damage the outside coating. Do not sterilize them in boiling water. It may cause them to warp. If you have partial ones, you should take them out before cleaning your natural teeth. Whenever they are not being used, you can let them soak in an appropriate cleaning solution or water. It is best to get in the practice of keeping your dentures in a safe, easy to access spot to lessen the probability of misplacing them.

Wearing Dentures at Night

It is possible that your dentist may recommend that you keep the dentures in continually for the first couple of weeks, including while sleeping. However, after that, it is best to remove them while sleeping. Studies have found that keeping them out for several hours enables the gums to have a rest. It creates normal stimulation from the tongue and cleansing by the saliva, allowing the gums to stay healthy.

Regular Dental Visits

It’s very important to keep in regular dental care and check-ups with your dentist who can regularly examine the gum and mouth tissues for any potential diseases or signs of cancer. As part of the aging process, your mouth continues to change due to the bone under your dentures shrinking. In order to maintain a correct fit, it is a good idea to make adjustments to the dentures. Never try to modify or adjust them yourself. Never utilize denture adhesives for long periods of time, as that can lead to bone loss. Always seek the advice of your dentist if you have any concerns. Schedule a consultation today!