Dentures

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WHAT ARE DENTURES?

Teeth are lost due to a number of causes. The two main reasons for loss of teeth are dental decay and periodontal diseases (gum diseases).A denture is a removable appliance that replaces missing teeth and surrounding tissues. In the past, dentures usually fit poorly. They were bulky and often painful. Today’s technology has brought remarkable improvement. Innovation in dentistry combined with modern lightweight materials mean current dentures are not only comfortable but they closely resemble natural teeth.

ARE THEY RIGHT FOR YOU?

Millions of people lack some or all of their teeth. Resulting problems aren’t limited to poor appearance. Missing teeth make it difficult to chew food or even speak. Muscles loose elasticity and the face begins to sag. The simple smile- a primary way to engage with others, may become impossible. No one should have to suffer this way today. If you’re missing teeth for any reason, visit our office where the dentist will evaluate you for dentures or implants. Many patients say they wish they’d taken this step earlier. They couldn’t believe they waited so long and relish their new found confidence and comfort.

WHAT ARE DENTURES MADE OF?

All dentures are made of a denture base and teeth. The denture base id usually made of acrylic resin, which is usually coloured pink to resemble the oral gum tissue. Sometimes the base can also be made of metals such as chromium cobalt alloy or certain titanium alloys. The teeth are made of acrylic resin which is the most preferred or porcelain. Teeth are available in various sizes, forms and colour to suit the needs of the patients.

HOW DO COMPLETE DENTURES STAY IN PLACE?

Dentures are made to stay in place by their close fit to the underlying tissues. When the dentures are manufactured, they adapt closely to the underlying tissues. This creates a vacuum seal that retains the denture in place. The thickness and quantity of saliva plays an important role in the retention of the denture. Dentures can also be made to stay in place by using mechanical means such as springs, magnets or by use of a denture adhesive.

WHAT TO EXPECT?

The process of getting dentures generally takes place over a few weeks. At the beginning, your mouth is studied and measured through the means of molds or impressions, in order to ensure pin point accuracy. At the next visits, shape and colour will be carefully assessed. Finally your dentist precisely adjusts and places the completed denture. The dentist will take time to ensure the dentures look natural and feel comfortable. You may experience temporary soreness, increased saliva flow, and difficulty swallowing or speaking. These sensations will subside as your muscles and tissues rapidly acclimate to the new dentures.

CARE AND CLEANING

The upkeep and maintenance of dentures is simple. But it’s important to clean them every single day. Soft toothbrushes should be used, and warm water, not hot, to prevent warping. Economical electro sonic denture baths and special teeth cleaning products are also helpful. Dentures should be cared for over a partially filled sink of soft towel to minimize damage in the event they are accidentally dropped. Dentures should be removed each night or during the day for at least a few hours. Studies have linked failure to do this with increased rates of oral cancer, greater bacterial count and damage to the tissue and ridges.

SOME DENTURE FACTS: PROS AND CONS

Dentures can certainly be a good thing in many ways: Replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health. Replacing missing teeth will stop the remaining teeth migrating, re-aligning a person’s bite and smile. Dentures help keep facial muscles from sagging, which will make 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. And if you’ve had trouble with your natural teeth for number of years, you might not have been able to eat foods you want or speak comfortably for quite a while. You can smile again. We know denture wearers who’ve said that simply being able to smile gain helped their outlook on life. But dentures can take a bit of getting used to:

There are some daily maintenance involved.

Mouth irritation and sores may occur, but are usually caused by poor dental hygiene or not removing your dentures to allow your mouth to rest.

It is common that you mouth will change shape over the life of your dentures, so even though dentures typically last five to ten years, they may need to be adjusted or replaced to achieve a better fit before they are worn out.

In the beginning, you wont be able to chew as well with dentures as you could with healthy natural teeth. It may also take a little practice speaking with a new denture too.

EXISTING DENTURES

The gums and ridges of your mouth change overtime. Dentures, on the other hand, stay the same. For that reason wearing the same dentures over the course of years- particularly ill fitted ones- can cause ridges to shrink. Unfortunately, some of these changes in the mouth and gums will be irreversible, making it that much more difficult to create dentures that fit well in the future. Dentures should be re-fitted every few years by relining or re-basing, and new dentures should be made every five to ten years. Report any change in the way your dentures work or feel to your dentist. Your oral care professional can tell you whether an adjustment, a re-lining or new dentures are needed.