Q. What is a denture?

A. People wear dentures to replace lost or missing teeth so they can enjoy a healthy diet and smile with confidence. Dentures are made of either acrylic (plastic) or acrylic (plastic) and metal. A 'complete' or 'full' denture is one which replaces all the natural teeth in either the upper or lower jaws. A 'partial' denture fills in the spaces left by lost or missing teeth. It may be fastened to your natural teeth with metal clasps or 'precision attachments'.

Q. What different types of dentures are available?

There are four main types of dentures to consider.

A. Complete Dentures

When most people think of dentures, they tend to picture complete dentures, which are full replacements for all of your teeth. This can be a full set of either upper or lower teeth, or a combined set for your entire mouth.
Complete dentures have to be properly fitted for optimum comfort and can last 5 to 10 years given proper care. These can typically be worn six months after tooth extraction, once your gums have had time to heal. Until then, one can use a set of immediate dentures.

B. Immediate Dentures

Immediate dentures are put into place immediately after tooth extraction and are used as a temporary set while your bone and tissue stabilize following tooth extraction. There are a number of benefits to immediate dentures, although they may require adjustment periodically while your jaw heals into place.

C. Overdentures

Overdentures are similar to complete dentures. The difference is that not all teeth are extracted and one or more natural teeth are used for support. This type of denture provides greater stabilization during chewing. Overdentures can be more costly than complete dentures and usually require more appointments to get them properly fitted in place.

D. Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are designed to correct the gaps in your smile when only some of your teeth are missing. Metal attachments anchor the dentures to your natural teeth. Partial dentures maintain tooth alignment by preventing your remaining teeth from shifting. Partial dentures can also help you prevent further tooth loss due to decay or gum disease.
Dr. Antonious also provides precision partial dentures, a special type of partial denture that is anchored without using visible metal clasps or wires. See precision partial dentures.

Q. How soon can I have a denture after my teeth are taken out?

A. Usually dentures can be fitted straight after your teeth have been removed. These are called immediate dentures. You visit the dentist beforehand for them to take measurements and impressions of your mouth. With immediate dentures you don’t have to be without teeth while your gums are healing. However, bone and gums can shrink over time, especially during the first six months after your teeth have been taken out. If your gums shrink, your immediate dentures may need relining, adjusting or even replacing. Your dentist will be able to discuss this with you.

Q. Will dentures make me feel different?

A. Replacing lost or missing teeth is very good for your health and appearance. A complete or full denture replaces your natural teeth and gives support to your cheeks and lips. Without this support, sagging facial muscles can make a person look older and they will find it harder to eat and speak properly. Dentures can be made to closely match your natural teeth so that your appearance hardly changes. Modern dentures may even improve the look of your smile and even help improve the appearance of your face.

Q. Will I be able to eat with dentures?

A. 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 denture from moving. As you become more used to your denture, add other foods until you return to your normal healthy diet.

Q. How long should I wear my dentures?

A. During the first few days, you may be advised to wear them for most of the time, including while you are asleep. After your mouth gets used to your dentures, your dentist may advise that you remove them before going to bed. This allows your gums to rest and helps keep your mouth healthy.

Q. Should I use a denture fixative??

A. Dentures are custom made to fit your mouth and you shouldn't need a denture fixative. However, over time, dentures may become loose and not fit as well. When this happens, some people prefer to use a fixative for a short time before having them replaced. A poorly fitting denture may cause irritation and sores. This can often happen if you have worn immediate dentures for some time. Patients with flat jaw bone structure will have to use denture fixatives to stabilize their dentures. Implant retained dentures is a viable consideration for patients with substantial jawbone deficiency.

Q. How do I take care of my dentures?

. The general rule is: brush, soak, brush. Always clean your dentures over a bowl of water or a folded towel in case you drop them. Brush your dentures before soaking, to help remove any food debris. Using an effervescent (fizzy) denture cleaner will help remove stubborn stains and leave your denture feeling fresher. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Then brush the dentures again, as you would your own teeth, being careful not to scrub too hard as this may cause grooves in the surface. The dentures should be cleaned using a special denture cleaning agent as normal toothpastes are too abrasive and may cause damage to the dentures. Most dentists provide a specially designed brush to clean dentures, which enables you to clean them thoroughly. Make sure you clean all the surfaces of the dentures, including the surface which touches your gums. This is especially important if you use any kind of denture fixative. If you notice a build up of stains or scale, have your denture cleaned by your dentist.

Q. Will my dentures need to be replaced?

A. Over time, your dentures will need to be relined or re-made due to normal wear or a change in the shape of your mouth. Bone and gum ridges can shrink, causing your jaws to meet differently. Loose dentures can cause health problems, including sores and infections, not to mention discomfort. A loose or ill-fitting denture can also make eating and talking more difficult. It is important to replace worn or poorly fitting dentures before they cause problems.

After a thorough examination from your dentist, he or she will advice you if your dentures need to be replaced. Here are some things to consider:

• Dentures should normally not be worn for more than seven years without being replaced or refitted.
• Dentures should not cause continual irritation or soreness.
• Dentures should usually fit comfortably, adhesives are sometimes needed.
• Dentures can hide evidence of oral pathology. An annual examination of the oral tissues by a dentist is recommended.
• Older dentures can develop weak areas that may result in fracture of the denture base or denture teeth.
• Dentures which fit improperly can cause wearing down of the ridges, and a caved in facial appearance. If you fall into any of the above categories, you should visit the dentist as soon as possible.

Q. How often should I see my dentist?

A. Regular dental check-ups and having your teeth professionally cleaned are vital for keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Most dentists recommend a dental check up every two years. Regular visits allow your dentist to check the soft parts of your mouth, including the tongue and cheeks. These examinations are important so the dentist can spot any infections, mouth conditions or even mouth cancer at the earliest stages. Full denture wearers should check with their dentist about how often they should visit. 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.

Q. What alternatives to dentures exist?

A. Dentures are a simple and practical solution as a replacement for missing teeth. However, there are other alternatives that can be used in certain cases, primarily Dental Bridges and Dental Implants.

Bridges

A bridge may be an option to replace a missing tooth or several teeth. It uses one or more teeth on either side of the bridge as an anchor. The existing teeth are reshaped to have crowns placed over them and one or more false teeth are connected between the two crowns. The whole bridge piece is then cemented into place.
Unlike a partial denture, you can't remove a bridge to clean it, but there are special cleaning aids available to keep the area around and under the bridge clean.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are artificial teeth permanently attached to your jawbone to replace one, many, or all of your teeth.
A dental implant can be thought of as an artificial root which is inserted into your jawbone. Once it has fully healed, a crown is placed on top to function as a normal tooth.
While dental implants can be superior to dentures in terms of function, they are significantly more expensive, and not all candidates have suitable bone material available for the procedure.
Dr. Antonious has trained extensively on the subject of dental implants and can advise you if you are good candidate for this procedure or not.

For more information on Dentures click on the following links

Dentures
Trouble With Your Dentures?
What Are Immediate Dentures
Loose Denture, Diagnosis and Treatment
Denture Repair
Denture Relining
Cleaning Your Dentures