Denture Overview
If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether
from periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury, complete
dentures can replace your missing teeth and your smile.
Replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance
and your health. Without support from the denture, facial
muscles sag, making a person look older. You’ll
be able to eat and speak—things that people often
take for granted until their natural teeth are lost.
There are various types of complete dentures. A conventional
full denture is made and placed in the patient’s
mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues
have healed which may take several months. An immediate
complete denture is inserted as soon as the remaining
teeth are removed. The dentist takes measurements and
makes models of the patient’s jaws during a preliminary
visit. With immediate dentures, the denture wearer does
not have to be without teeth during the healing period.
Even if you wear full dentures, you still must take
good care of your mouth. Brush your gums, tongue and
palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before
you insert your dentures to stimulate circulation in
your tissues and help remove plaque.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What's the difference
between conventional dentures and immediate dentures?
Complete dentures are called "conventional" or "immediate"
according to when they are made and when they are inserted
into the mouth.
Immediate dentures are inserted immediately after the
removal of the remaining teeth. To make this possible,
the dentist takes measurements and makes the models
of the patient's jaws during a preliminary visit.
An advantage of immediate dentures is that the wearer
does not have to be without teeth during the healing
period. However, bones and gums can shrink over time,
especially during the period of healing in the first
six months after the removal of teeth. When gums shrink,
immediate dentures may require rebasing or relining
to fit properly. A conventional denture can then be
made once the tissues have healed. Healing may take
at least 6-8 weeks.
What is an overdenture?
A removable denture that fits over a small number of
remaining natural teeth or implants. The natural teeth
must be prepared to provide stability and support for
the denture. Your dentist can determine if an overdenture
would be suitable for you.
What will dentures feel
like?
New dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks until
you become accustomed to them. The dentures may feel
loose while the muscles of your cheek and tongue learn
to keep them in place.
It is not unusual to experience minor irritation or
soreness. You may find that saliva flow temporarily
increases. As your mouth becomes accustomed to the dentures,
these problems should diminish. One or more follow-up
appointments with the dentist are generally needed after
a denture is inserted. If any problem persists, particularly
irritation or soreness, be sure to consult your dentist.
Will dentures make me
look different?
Dentures can be made to closely resemble your natural
teeth so that little change in appearance will be noticeable.
Dentures may even improve the look of your smile and
help fill out the appearance of your face and profile.
Will I be able to eat
with my dentures?
Eating will take a little practice. Start with soft
foods cut into small pieces. Chew slowly using both
sides of your mouth at the same time to prevent the
dentures from tipping. As you become accustomed to chewing,
add other foods until you return to your normal diet.
Continue to chew food using both sides of the mouth
at the same time. Be cautious with hot or hard foods
and sharp-edged bones or shells.
Will dentures change
how I speak?
Pronouncing certain words may require practice. Reading
out loud and repeating troublesome words will help.
If your dentures "click" while you're talking, speak
more slowly.
You may find that your dentures occasionally slip when
you laugh, cough or smile. Reposition the dentures by
gently biting down and swallowing. If a speaking problem
persists, consult your dentist.
How long should I wear
my dentures?
Your dentist will provide instructions about how long
dentures should be kept in place. During the first few
days, you may be advised to wear them most of the time,
including while you sleep. After the initial adjustment
period, you may be instructed to remove the dentures
before going to bed. This allows gum tissues to rest
and promotes oral health. Generally, it is not desirable
that the tissues be constantly covered by denture material.
Should I use a denture
adhesive?
Denture adhesive can provide additional retention for
well-fitting dentures. Denture adhesives are not the
solution for old, ill-fitting dentures. A poorly fitting
denture, which causes constant irritation over a long
period, may contribute to the development of sores.
These dentures may need a reline or need to be replaced.
If your dentures begin to feel loose, or cause pronounced
discomfort, consult with your dentist immediately.
How do I take care of
my dentures?
Dentures are very delicate and may break if dropped
even a few inches. Stand over a folded towel or a basin
of water when handling dentures. When you are not wearing
them, store your dentures away from children and pets.
Like natural teeth, dentures must be brushed daily
to remove food deposits and plaque. Brushing helps prevent
dentures from becoming permanently stained and helps
your mouth stay healthy. It's best to use a brush designed
for cleaning dentures. A toothbrush with soft bristles
can also be used. Avoid using hard-bristled brushes
that can damage dentures.
Some denture wearers use hand soap or mild dishwashing
liquid, which are both acceptable for cleaning dentures.
Avoid using other powdered household cleansers, which
may be too abrasive. Also, avoid using bleach, as this
may whiten the pink portion of the denture.
Your dentist can recommend a denture cleanser. Look
for denture cleansers with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
Products
with the ADA Seal have been evaluated for safety
and effectiveness.
The first step in cleaning dentures is to rinse away
loose food particles thoroughly. Moisten the brush and
apply denture cleanser. Brush every surface, scrubbing
gently to avoid damage.
Dentures may lose their shape if they are allowed to
dry out. When they are not worn, dentures should be
placed in a denture cleanser soaking solution or in
water. Your dentist can recommend the best method. Never
place dentures in hot water, which could cause them
to warp.
Ultrasonic cleaners are also used to care for dentures.
However, using an ultrasonic cleaner does not replace
a thorough daily brushing.
Can I make minor adjustments
or repairs to my dentures?
You can seriously damage your dentures and harm your
health by trying to adjust or repair your dentures.
A denture that is not made to fit properly can cause
irritation and sores.
See your dentist if your dentures break, crack, chip,
or if one of the teeth becomes loose. A dentist can
often make the necessary adjustments or repairs on the
same day. A person who lacks the proper training will
not be able to reconstruct the denture. This can cause
greater damage to the denture and may cause problems
in your mouth. Glue sold over-the-counter often contains
harmful chemicals and should not be used on dentures.
Will my dentures need
to be replaced?
Over time, dentures will need to be relined, rebased,
or remade due to normal wear. To reline or rebase a
denture, the dentist uses the existing denture teeth
and refits the denture base or makes a new denture base.
Dentures may need to be replaced if they become loose
and the teeth show signs of significant wear. Dentures
become loose because a mouth naturally changes with
age. Bone and gum ridges can recede or shrink, causing
jaws to align differently. Shrinking ridges can cause
dentures to fit less securely. Loose dentures can cause
health problems, including sores and infections. A loose
denture also makes chewing more difficult and may change
your facial features. It's important to replace worn
or poorly-fitting dentures before they cause problems.
Must I do anything
special to care for my mouth?
Even with full dentures, you still need to take good
care of your mouth. Every morning, brush your gums,
tongue and palate with a soft-bristled brush before
you put in your dentures. This removes plaque and stimulates
circulation in the mouth. Selecting a balanced diet
for proper nutrition is also important for maintaining
a healthy mouth.
How often should I
schedule dental appointments?
Your dentist will advise you about how often to visit.
Regular dental check-ups are important. The dentist
will examine your mouth to see if your dentures continue
to fit properly. The dentist also examines your mouth
for signs of oral diseases including cancer.
With regular professional care, a positive attitude
and persistence, you can become one of the millions
of people who wear their dentures with a smile.
Post Treatment Instuctions
for Complete / Partial Immediate Dentures
If you have had complete/partial immediate dentures
placed the same day as extractions, we advise you to
keep your dentures in for a 24 hour period. This allows
your gums to swell within the confinements of your new
dentures as they are healing. The dentures will also
keep pressure upon the newly extracted areas; thus,
helping blood clots to form more readily. You may experience
more saliva mixed with blood, because of the inability
to place gauze directly over the extraction areas. This
is okay. (Remember, a little bit of blood mixed with
a lot of saliva…can look like a lot of blood…but
it is not) Fold 2 pieces of gauze in a rectangular shape,
and place them on both sides of the mouth. Bite together
for approximately 30 minutes creating more pressure
and allowing the blood mixed saliva to be absorbed within
the gauze. Do this as much as you deem necessary. You
may want to put on an old t-shirt and use an old pillow
case to avoid stains as you sleep.
Any areas of soreness will be addressed immediately
at your post-op appointment. Your post-op appointment
should be scheduled for the next business day. If you
have not received your appointment time, please call
our office to schedule immediately. (919-783-9686)
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