Dentures
Dentures are removable appliances that replace missing teeth and restore your smile. If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from gum disease, tooth decay, or injury, replacing them benefits your appearance and health. They make it easier to eat and speak than you could without teeth. These are things people often take for granted.
When you lose your teeth, facial muscles sag, making you look older. Dentures can fill out the appearance of your face and profile. They can be made to closely resemble your natural teeth so that your appearance does not change much. They may even improve the look of your smile.
DO YOU MAKE DENTURES?
Yes! We do make some types of dentures. Specifically, implant-supported and removable partial dentures. If you need full removable dentures, we refer you to Classic Dentures of Maine.
TYPES OF DENTURES
- Conventional – This full removable denture is made and placed in your mouth after the remaining teeth are removed, and tissues have healed, which may take several months.
- Immediate – This removable denture is inserted on the same day that the remaining teeth are removed. Your dentist will take measurements and make models of your jaw during a preliminary visit. You don’t have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, you may need to have the denture realigned or remade after your jaw has healed.
- Overdenture – Sometimes, some of your teeth can be saved to preserve your jawbone, provide stability and support for the denture. An overdenture fits over a small number of remaining natural teeth after your dentist has prepared them. Implants can serve the same function.
New dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks until you become accustomed to them. They 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, these problems should go away. Follow-up appointments with the dentist are generally needed after insertion so the fit can be checked and adjusted. If any problem persists, particularly irritation or soreness, be sure to consult your dentist.
DENTAL HYGIENE
Even if you wear full dentures, you still have to practice good dental hygiene. Brush your gums, tongue, and roof of your mouth every morning with a soft-bristled brush before inserting your dentures to stimulate circulation in your tissue and remove plaque. Like your teeth, your dentures should be brushed daily to remove food particles and plaque to keep them from staining.
- Rinse your dentures before brushing to remove loose food or debris.
- Using a soft-bristle toothbrush and a non-abrasive cleanser, gently brush the dentures’ surface, so they don’t get scratched.
- When brushing, clean your mouth thoroughly, including your gums, cheeks, the roof of your mouth, and tongue to remove any plaque. This can reduce the risk of oral irritation and bad breath.
- When not wearing your dentures, put them in a safe place covered in water to keep them from warping.
- Occasionally, denture wearers may use adhesives. Adhesives come in many forms, like creams, powders, pads/wafers, strips, or liquids. If you use one of these products, read the instructions, and use them as directed.
Your dentist can recommend appropriate cleansers and adhesives. Look for products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Products with the ADA Seal are evaluated for safety and effectiveness.
If you have any questions about your dentures, if they stop fitting well, or become damaged, contact your dentist. Be sure to schedule regular dental checkups, too. The dentist will examine your mouth to see if your dentures continue to fit properly.
