Dentures
An important step in maintaining a healthy smile is to replace missing teeth. When teeth are missing, the remaining ones can change position, drifting into the surrounding space. Teeth that are out of position can damage tissues in the mouth. In addition, it may be difficult to clean thoroughly between crooked teeth. As a result, you run the risk of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease, which can lead to the loss of additional teeth.
A denture helps you to properly chew food, a difficult task when you are missing teeth. In addition, a denture may improve speech and prevent a sagging face by providing support for lips and cheeks.
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A removable partial denture, also called a removable bridge, fills in the space created by missing teeth and fills out your smile. It can be made of acrylic resin, metal or a combination of both. Partial dentures can be made with metal clasps and hooks to allow for maximum strength or with invisible clasps and hooks to provide ultimate esthetics. |
| Complete or full dentures replace all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. Complete dentures are either "conventional" or "immediate." A conventional denture is placed in the mouth about 4 to 8 weeks after all of the teeth are removed to allow for proper healing. A conventional denture is also made to replace an existing denture. An immediate denture is placed as soon as the teeth are removed. The drawback with an immediate denture is that it may require more adjustments after the healing has taken place. |
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What happens when you get a denture?
A full conventional denture can be made when all teeth have been lost or all extraction sites have healed (up to eight weeks or longer.) The denture process takes about one month and five appointments. New denture wearers need time to get accustomed to their new "teeth" because even the best fitting dentures will feel awkward at first. While most patients can begin to speak normally within a few hours, many patients report discomfort with eating for several days or a few weeks. To get accustomed to chewing with a new denture, start with soft, easy-to-chew foods. In addition, denture wearers often notice a slight change in facial appearance, increased salivary flow, or minor speech difficulty. These problems go away within a few weeks.
How do you care for a denture?
A denture is fragile, so it is important to handle it with care. Remove and
brush the denture daily, preferably with a brush designed specifically for
cleaning dentures, using either a denture cleanser or toothpaste. Never use
harsh, abrasive cleansers, including abrasive toothpastes, because they may
scratch the surface of the denture.
Don't sterilize your denture with boiling water because it will cause it to
become warped. If you wear a partial denture be sure to remove it before
brushing your natural teeth. When not in use, soak it in a cleanser solution,
diluted mouthwash or in water. Get in the habit of keeping the denture in the
same safe and handy place to reduce the likelihood of misplacement.
A helpful hint is to remove your partial or full denture over a full sink of
water, so if it should fall, the water will break the fall, reducing the risk of
damage.
Should a denture be worn at night?
While you may be advised to wear your new denture almost constantly during the first two weeks, under normal circumstances it is considered best to remove it at night. Research has shown that removing the denture for at least eight hours during either the day or night allows the gum tissue to rest and allows normal stimulation and cleansing by the tongue and saliva. This promotes better long-term health of gums.
Do I need to continue to see a dentist after I have full dentures?
Yes. It is important to continue having regular dental checkups so that your dentist can examine oral tissues for signs of disease or cancer. As you age, your mouth will continue to change as the bone under your denture shrinks or recedes. To maintain a proper fit over time, it may be necessary to adjust your denture or possibly remake your denture. Never attempt to adjust a denture yourself and do not use denture adhesives for a prolonged period because it can contribute to bone loss.
Will it be difficult to wear a full or partial denture?
Replacing missing teeth should make eating a more pleasant experience. Start out
by eating soft foods that are cut into small pieces. Chew on both sides of the
mouth to keep even pressure on the denture. Avoid foods that are extremely
sticky or hard. You may want to avoid chewing gum while you adjust to the
denture.
Partial dentures are generally easy to wear and easy to get used to. Full
dentures are not, especially full lower dentures. It has been said that 80% of
people with upper dentures are very happy, while 20% are unhappy wearing full
dentures. The opposite is true of lower full dentures, 80% are unhappy while 20%
are pleased.
Both full and partial dentures require time for you to adapt. Often several
adjustment are required to get the fit exactly right. Because different
thicknesses of gum tissue compress differently, small "sore spots" may develop
as the denture rests upon your gums. Please do not try and tough it out. Call
your dentist for a denture adjustments.
Over time, additional adjustments of the denture may be necessary. As you age,
your mouth naturally changes, which can affect the fit of the denture. Your bone
and gum ridges can recede or shrink, resulting in a loose-fitting denture.
Loose dentures can cause various problems, including sores or infections.
Can I make minor adjustments or repairs to my partial or full denture?
You can do serious harm to your partial denture and to your health by trying to
adjust or repair your denture. A denture that is not made to fit precisely by a
dentist can cause irritation and sores. Using a do-it-yourself kit can damage
the appliance beyond repair. Glues sold over-the-counter often contain harmful
chemicals and should not be used on a denture.
If your denture no longer fits properly, if it breaks, cracks or chips, or if
one of the teeth becomes loose, call your dentist immediately. In many cases,
your dentist can make
necessary adjustments or repairs on the same day. Complicated repairs may
require that the denture be sent to a special dental laboratory.
Must I do anything special to take care of my mouth?
Brushing twice a day and cleaning between your teeth daily help prevent tooth decay and gum disease that can lead to tooth loss. Pay special attention to cleaning teeth that fit under the denture's metal clasps. Plaque that becomes trapped under the clasps will increase the risk of tooth decay. Your dentist will demonstrate how to properly brush and clean between teeth. Selecting a balanced diet for proper nutrition is also important.