Dentures
What are Dentures?
Dentures are a set of removable false teeth and the surrounding gum tissue. These appliances replace multiple missing teeth, staying in place by a close fit along the underlying gum and bone tissue or by clasping onto remaining healthy teeth. The severity of tooth loss will impact the type of dentures you require.
There are two types of dentures available, complete dentures and partial dentures.
Complete Dentures
Complete dentures replace an entire row of teeth in the upper or lower jaw, fitting snugly over the gums and jawbone. These dentures are held in place by suction, as they are placed after all teeth in the row have been removed. There are two sub-types of complete dentures:
- Immediate dentures are made before diseased or damaged teeth are extracted. Before tooth removal, we send models and measurements to the dental lab so dentures are ready the moment your remaining teeth are pulled. However, during healing, your bones and gums change shape, so these dentures may need to be relined for a proper fit once healing is over.
- Conventional dentures are made to fit your mouth after your gums and jaw tissues heal. Though you are without teeth throughout the healing process, your dentures will be a near-perfect fit when you get them.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures replace gaps for missing teeth in areas that may not sufficiently support a dental bridge. Usually, a partial denture clips to your natural teeth with metal clasps. When a few teeth are missing, it is essential to fill any gaps with a restoration, preventing teeth from shifting, bone loss, and facial muscle drooping.
Do You Need Dentures?
We have helped many patients smile again with their new dentures. There are many reasons why you need dentures, such as:
- Your teeth have succumbed to gum disease.
- You have tooth decay.
- You have had teeth removed.
- You have extensive damage to your teeth (accident or otherwise).
Dentures are a relatively painless way to help restore your smile, and we can help design a set of false teeth that restore your self-esteem.
We Make Sure Your Dentures Fit Just Right
At The Bay Dental, our restorations are custom-made, even dentures. Once we decide which type of denture is best for you, we gather the information we need to create your new set of teeth.
Using our intraoral scanner, we make an impression of your jaw and create a model in the exact shape and position of your future denture. The dental laboratory technicians will use this model to “fit” you for your device, eliminating the need to have you repeatedly return to test the denture. Once all the changes are made (and the fit is corrected), the technicians cast the final denture.
Of course, mouths constantly change, so we may need to make a few final adjustments to make the fit as snug as possible in-person. We will be sure to give you a tutorial on using your dentures before you take them out and show them off.
Living with Dentures
You will notice that wearing dentures has a slight learning curve. It takes a bit of practice for your mouth muscles and tongue to get used to the dentures, so be kind to yourself and have some patience as you get acclimated to the change.
When eating with dentures, you need to start slowly with soft foods until you get the hang of your new teeth. Avoid hard foods or anything too sticky, hard, or sharp. These foods might make the denture pop out, so take your time and add them to your diet once you know you can eat with your dentures.
There might also be problems with your speech. This is because you aren’t used to having something like a denture appliance in your mouth. It will take some time, but eventually, you will get used to talking. Keep at it, and you will speak normally again in no time.
Denture Care
Your dentures need to be cared for properly if you want them to last a long time. Dentures are fragile, so always handle them carefully, as they may break if you drop them. Always take them in and out over a sink with water or a soft surface, such as a towel.
Just like caring for natural teeth, you must regularly remove plaque and food deposits on your dentures. Clean your dentures twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Brush the dentures with toothpaste or soap and water before soaking. When you are not wearing your dentures, soak them in a solution with denture cleaning tablets to ensure they do not dry out.
You still need to take care of your oral health when wearing dentures. Keep your mouth clean by brushing the gums, tongue, and remaining teeth as usual.
Dentures at The Bay Dental
At The Bay Dental, dentures are made by the dentists alongside the local dental laboratories. We pay great attention to appearance and fit, so patients are happy with their appearance and freedom to eat and smile. If you are missing teeth or want to discuss dentures, we encourage you to contact our helpful and friendly team.
