Whether your smile has been affected due to aging, trauma, or gum disease, know that you can remedy this dental dilemma with dentures. Dentures are removable prosthetics that aim to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues. While that is their chief purpose, they also come with a host of other benefits that will brighten up your smile even more.
Here are more important information you will need before getting dentures:
Benefits of Dentures
Whether the dentures are for seniors or young people, all wearers can gain the following benefits:
Boosts Self-Esteem – Along with other dental disorders, tooth loss can impact self-esteem. Dentures can help bring both your confidence and your smile back
Improve Speech – Missing teeth may cause you to mispronounce words, which in turn, may lead to miscommunication. Dentures help people to improve in pronouncing words that include fricatives (the sounds f and th) and sibilants (the sounds s, z, sh, and zh)
Improve Chewing Abilities – The first step of the digestion process involves crushing and grinding your food with your teeth. Doing so makes it easier for enzymes to break down food particles
Maintains Natural Appearance – Missing teeth can also affect your natural appearance and make your face look deflated. Dentures can correct this by providing support for your cheeks and lips
Types of Dentures
Different kinds of dentures target specific problems.
Partial Dentures
If you have one or more natural teeth remaining in your upper or lower jaw, you may need partial dentures. A removable partial denture or bridge usually includes the replacement teeth, which attaches to a pink or gum-coloured plastic base. Sometimes, a metal framework that holds the denture in place in the mouth connects this. A fixed bridge replaces missing teeth by placing crowns on either side of the space and attaches the artificial teeth to them. Then, it cements into place.If you select a partial denture, it will fill in the missing teeth and keep the other teeth from changing location. A precision partial denture is detachable, and it features internal attachments instead of clasps that attach to the adjacent crowns. This appliance also looks more natural
Complete Dentures
Once the dentist removes your teeth and your gum tissue starts to heal, they will make complete dentures that are either conventional or immediate. With conventional dentures, they can place this in your mouth about 8 to 12 weeks after the dentist has removed your teeth. Meanwhile, they make immediate dentures in advance, and they can position these once they take your teeth out. As you heal, you won’t have to be without teeth.However, your gums and bones shrink during this healing period, so immediate dentures need more adjustments so they fit properly. They generally should only be considered as a temporary solution until the conventional dentures are done
Making of Dentures
The creation process takes a few weeks and several appointments. It involves consulting with your dentist in the clinic to see which type of denture is suitable for you.
Once they determine this, they will make a series of impressions of your jaw. They will also take measurements of the space between your jaws and how they relate to one another.
After this, they will develop models, wax forms, and plastic patterns in the exact position and shape of the denture they are about to make. You will try it several times, so they can assess the shape, colour, and fit before they cast the final mould.
When you receive the final piece, they will continue to need adjustments until they fit perfectly in your mouth.
Wearing Dentures
For the first few weeks, wearing new dentures may feel strange or a little loose as you insert or remove them. The muscles of your cheeks and tongue are still learning to keep them in place. Since they should closely resemble your natural teeth, there must only be small changes in how you look. When people first wear them, they commonly experience minor irritation, soreness, and increased saliva flow. Fortunately, these will fade as the mouth adjusts.
You may feel some discomfort for a few weeks when you eat with new dentures. Get accustomed to it by starting with soft foods and cutting these into small portions. Make sure to chew slowly with both sides of your mouth. As you adapt to them, you can add other foods until you return to your usual diet.
Caring for Dentures
Here are some ways to take care of your dentures:
Handle With Care
Avoid dropping your dentures by standing over a folded towel or a sink full of water when handling them
Brush and Rinse Regularly
Dentures, like natural teeth, require daily brushing to remove food and plaque. It also prevents permanent stains from developing on them. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush designed for cleaning dentures. However, avoid using toothpaste because it creates microscopic scratches where food and plaque can build up
Clean Using a Denture Cleaner
Don’t use household cleaners and toothpaste. Avoid bleach since it can whiten the pink portion of the denture. Clean with mild dishwashing liquid or hand soap. You may also use ultrasonic cleaners, which are small bathtub-like devices that include a cleaning solution
Immerse Them in Water When Not In Use
Dentures must avoid drying out or losing their shape. Set them in water or a denture cleanser to keep them moist. These may come in the form of denture cleaning tablets, paste, or powder. Ask your dentist for their recommendations. Avoid setting them in a soaking solution if they have metal attachments, and never place them in hot water to avoid warping
Using Denture Adhesives
Denture adhesives are pastes, adhesive pads, or powders that can help dentures stay in place. People can use these products under the following circumstances:
To add security and stability for musicians, public speakers, and other individuals in a similar line of work
To boost a sense of security, bite force, and retention
To help individuals who have trouble with denture adherence; these include the elderly, individuals with neurologic disabilities, and those taking cold medications
Cost of Dentures
The price of getting dentures may depend on the following factors:
Number of teeth to replace
Materials to use for making the dentures
How complex the dentures are going to be
Time of getting the dentures
Replacing Dentures
Your dentures may become loose over time due to normal wear and natural changes to your gums, face, and jawbones. You may need to have your denture liners replaced or your dentures rebased. See your dentist so they can refit the denture base or create a new one while reusing the existing teeth. Typically, you can use complete dentures for 5 to 7 years before a replacement is necessary.
Alternatives to Dentures
Depending on the condition of your teeth and your own preference, there are other alternatives available:
Dental Bridges – These common alternatives are made of fake teeth. A dental crown cemented to the neighbouring teeth or an implant holds them in place
Dental Implants – These are permanent solutions. A metal screw is drilled into your jawbone for stability before putting a false tooth on top of it. However, not everyone is qualified to have dental implants installed
Veneers – Versus dentures, veneers can enhance the appearance of existing healthy teeth. A thin layer of porcelain over the front of your teeth is attached. However, they’re unable to replace missing teeth
Dentures are invaluable dental appliances for those who want to improve their speech and chewing abilities, boost their self-esteem, and maintain their facial structure.
Complete your smile with dentures. Whether you seek partial or complete denture services, Cosmo Dental Centre is here for you. If you have any inquiries, please feel free to call us at 519-659-2767 or email us at cosmodentalcentre@bellnet.ca.