What are dentures?
Dentures are artificial teeth & gums that are formed in your mouth & created by our dentists to replace lost or removed natural teeth. Dentures can either be full or partial, meaning they can either replace all teeth on either the top or bottom gum line or just a few that are missing. Regardless of what kind of dentures you may need, they will be custom designed to fit your mouth, & visually matched to your existing teeth.
How do Dentures Work?
There are two main types of dentures: full and partial. Our team of highly Experienced and Qualified dentists, will help you in choosing the type of denture that's best for you based on whether some or all of your teeth are going to be replaced & the cost involved.
With full dentures, a flesh-colored acrylic base fits over your gums. The base of the upper denture covers the palate (the roof of your mouth), while that of the lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to accommodate your tongue.Dentures are custom-made in a dental laboratory from impressions taken of your mouth. Our dentists will determine which of the three types of dentures described below is best for you.
- Conventional Full Denture: A conventional full denture is placed in your mouth after any remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed. Healing may take several months, during which time you are without teeth.
- Immediate Full Denture: An immediate full denture is inserted immediately after the remaining teeth are removed. (Your dentist takes measurements and makes models of your jaw during a prior visit). While immediate dentures offer the benefit of never having to be without your teeth, they must be relined several months after being inserted. The reason is that the bone supporting the teeth reshapes as it heals, causing the denture to become loose.
How Long Before I Get Used to My Dentures?
New dentures may feel awkward or uncomfortable for the first few weeks or even months. Eating & speaking with dentures might take a little practice. A bulky or loose feeling is not uncommon, while the muscles of your cheeks and tongue learn to hold your dentures in place. Excessive saliva flow, a feeling that the tongue does not have adequate room, & minor irritation or soreness are also not unusual. If you experience irritation, see our dentist.
How Long do Dentures Last?
Over a period of time, your denture will need to be relined, remade, or rebased due to normal wear. Rebasing means making a new base while keeping the existing denture teeth. Also, as you age, your mouth naturally changes. These changes cause your dentures to loosen, making chewing difficult & irritating your gums. At a minimum, you should see our dentist annually for a checkup.
Here are tips for caring for your dentures:
- When handling your dentures, stand over a folded towel or basin of water. Dentures are delicate & may break if dropped.
- Don't let your dentures dry out. Place them in a denture cleanser soaking solution or in plain water when you're not wearing them. Never use hot water, which can cause them to warp.
- Brushing your dentures daily will remove food deposits & plaque, & help prevent them from becoming stained. An ultrasonic cleaner may be used to care for your dentures, but it does not replace a thorough daily brushing.
- Brush your gums, tongue & palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures. This stimulates circulation in your tissues & helps remove plaque.
- See our dentists if your dentures break, chip, crack or become loose. Don't be tempted to adjust them yourself — this can damage them beyond repair.