Dentures

Denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and supporting tissues.

Two types of dentures are available – complete or partial dentures.

Complete dentures can be conventional or implant supported dentures.

Conventional dentures are made after the teeth are extracted and the gum tissue is left to heal for about 8 to 12 weeks. Upper Dentures covers the gums and roof of the mouth, allowing an entire set of false teeth to sit firmly. In the lower denture, the acrylic is made of horseshoe shape to avoid covering the tongue. The regular denture rubs against the gums especially lower jaw as they have nothing to hold them in place and are difficult to chew with. Also, the constant rubbing could cause sore spots and eventually the jawbone will shrink causing thin ridges.

Immediate dentures are also available, which are made immediately following extraction of teeth. Hence the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However the gums and tissues shrink over a period of time, leading to ill fit of the existing denture. When patients insist on a temporary replacement following extraction, immediate dentures are made which are later replaced by conventional dentures.

Implant supported dentures The denture takes support from implants which are surgically placed into the jawbone at the level of the gums. An advantage over conventional is it prevents slippage especially in the lower jaw, making it more stable. Since the implants are embedded in the bone, the bone is less likely to resorb or shrink.

Partial dentures They are attached to natural teeth with the help of metal clasps that grip the teeth. Compared to conventional removable partial dentures, Cast partial dentures are available that consists of cast metal framework and artificial teeth set in acrylic resin. Cast partial dentures are more stronger, retentive and durable compared to the conventional ones.

What do new dentures feel like?

That depends on whether you are an experienced denture wearer or if you are a beginner.

An experienced denture wearer, someone who has been wearing dentures for many years, come back every 4-6 years to make new dentures. Every new denture is going to feel, “funny, different or strange”. And, most patients say that the new teeth feel, “big and full”. These are the most common immediate comments we hear about new teeth. It never feels like their old broken in and worn out slippers/dentures. To a beginner, it feels “big and full and takes up a lot of space in my mouth”. It feels like a “foreign object” and indeed if a person has not worn a denture before, it is in fact, a foreign object! Like most new things, dentures take a little getting used to; Your palate and your tongue and cheek muscles learn to hold them in position.

The great news is, its one simple rule to adjust well, you wear your new teeth every day! If you are an experienced denture wearer, do not switch around with any old sets! Wear the denture all day and the gums will quickly settle in. The gum and the oral tissue actually mold and adapt to the inside and then it feel will feel natural and progressively more comfortable.

As the oral tissues are settling in or molding to the new denture, it’s not uncommon that an area may rub or pinch and a minor irritation may begin to reveal itself. If you develop soreness, discomfort, or if anything troubles you at all, please contact SmileVille dental clinic and one of our experienced patient care coordinators will help arrange an appointment to adjust this and relieve your discomfort immediately! Your comfort is always a priority for us; We want you to look and feel natural and to Smile With Confidence!

Will my dentures need to be replaced?

Yes, dentures are not permanent, the mouth is a dynamic structure. The oral tissues and the bone change shape and additionally, the denture material itself wears in due time. Eventually, certain microbes and bacteria get locked into the acrylic and cannot be cleaned out leading to staining and bad breath. Most importantly, the denture material wears down, the actual denture teeth wear down. As the denture teeth wear down, the bite changes and can actually collapse the bite if you wear them for too long a period of time without replacing them. The average lifetime of a denture is 4-6 years.

How will I feel eating with dentures?

An experienced denture wearer still has to get used to the height of the new bite and occlusion. It will take a couple of days to a couple of weeks to feel natural like the old denture or set of dentures. But certainly chewing with their previous dentures makes it easier for the experienced person to adjust very quickly. For the beginner, I highly recommend that you start with a softer diet and that you progress to more challenging foods. Additionally, I recommend that you take smaller bites and cut your food into smaller pieces than you may have previously. As you become used to chewing with your new dentures, you can return to your normal diet.

How do I take care of my new dentures?

Good denture hygiene is key to maintaining your oral health and long-term satisfaction with your dentures. When cleaning your dentures, you first rinse away loose food particles thoroughly. Dentures do need to be cleaned every day. After a meal, you may simply rinse them. However, at least once a day they either need to be cleaned with a denture cleaning tablet in a cup such as with Clinsodent or Efferdent or you may brush them. You should use only a denture paste typically sold in the same aisle of the drug store or the supermarket as the denture adhesives. Apply the denture paste with a soft tooth brush, regular toothpaste is too abrasive. Brush every surface, scrubbing gently to avoid damage. Additionally, some denture wearers opt to have their dentures professionally cleaned at our office. Furthermore, it is important to brush your gums, tongue, and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before inserting your dentures. This not only leads to a fresh clean feeling, but it’s important to stimulate your oral tissues, as well as remove plaque from all areas of your mouth.

Benefits of dentures

Improved self-confidence: The main point of getting dentures is to fill out all the empty spaces in your mouth. By doing so, dentures can help you regain the confidence that you once lost right around the same time you lost your teeth.

Little to no diet restrictions: Contrary to popular belief, dentures are durable enough to withstand almost as much punishment as regular teeth. What this means is that you won’t really be giving up your favorite food once you do get dentures. Better yet, you’d be able to eat them again now that all of your teeth are present!

No more speaking problems: It’s no secret that missing teeth can affect how you talk. Not to mention how you’re less likely to talk because of how conscious you are about your smile. Although it may take some time getting used to wearing dentures, they can eventually help fix all of your speaking problems.

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