Many people worry about the day when they will need to get dentures, and a lot of that information, fear, and concern is based on watching their grandparents, or even parents struggle to enjoy crunching down on a crisp apple or enjoying a chewy toffee. In reality, the technology behind dentures has changed dramatically over the last few decades, and dentures are now a much better alternative than many people would have imagined.
that more than 60 percent of American adults are missing one or more teeth? Approximately 10 percent are missing all of their teeth – requiring a prosthetic solution that will restore function and aesthetics to their smiles. Many of those dental patients choose partial or full dentures to replace missing teeth. In fact, it is estimated that 35 million Americans currently wear partial or full dentures – a number that is only expected to rise as baby boomers begin to reach retirement.
The key to the success of any denture lies in the original fitting, which involves significant skill and expertise, something which the Gresham dentures team at Main Street Dental excel in. Although no set of dentures is ever going to be as good as your original teeth, our dentures are professionally manufactured to have the look and feel of natural teeth. When people lose their teeth, particularly the front ones, many patients tell us that they experience a loss in confidence and that they are afraid to smile. With modern dentures, that need no longer be the case, which is why we always encourage our patients to come and discuss their options with us, rather than let a couple of broken or missing teeth define their future.
Properly fitted dentures will not move around whenever you are eating, spoiling your enjoyment of food and a fun evening out with your friends. All dentures are manufactured to the highest possible standard, which ensures that provided they are looked after properly they will last for many years. We offer a choice of either porcelain or acrylic dentures, and we will also advise you on which would be the better option for you and why.
A: Dentures or false teeth are an option that dentists can use to replace all or some of a patient’s teeth. When a full set of either upper or lower teeth are replaced these are known as complete dentures. Complete dentures rest on the gum line and can be held in place by either denture adhesive, which is generally applied at home on a daily basis, or for a more permanent solution by attaching them to dental implant posts. Partial dentures are used to replace some, but not all of the teeth. They attach to the adjoining teeth and are manufactured to ensure they cover the gums and bone where the tooth or teeth are missing.
A: If you want to there is no reason why you could not sleep while still wearing your dentures; however, we would advise against following this practice. Overnight provides the perfect opportunity to clean your dentures thoroughly, and just as importantly it gives your gum, and bone a chance to relax from the constant pressure that the dentures will inevitably exert throughout the course of the day. It is also essential to maintain proper dental hygiene, which is impossible to do if you wear your dentures 24 hours a day.
A: There is a learning curve involved for most patients as they get to grips with eating with dentures rather than natural teeth. After a few weeks, most people can eat more or less as usual, although harder foods and sticky foods should always be treated with a little more caution. Some people find that using a denture adhesive helps and even speeds up the learning process.
A: It will take a little time for your mouth and gums to get used to the new dentures, and there is likely to be some initial irritation. The length of time that the pain lasts will vary from one patient to another, and may also be affected by other factors. If this is your first set of dentures, then the pain may well subside relatively quickly, whereas if your mouth has become accustomed to a previous set of dentures, then it may take longer and be a little more painful. If part of the process involved the removal of some teeth, prior to the fitting of your dentures, then understandably the areas around those extractions may be painful for a few weeks while they heal. It is also advisable to have regular visits to our practice, throughout the first few months to allow us to check on the healing and potentially adjust the dentures as time progresses.
A: You may be a candidate for dentures if you are missing one or more teeth and are in need of an affordable prosthetic solution. Most denture wearers find that partial and full dentures can restore much of their original tooth function – not to mention create a beautiful, natural-looking smile. To find out if dentures are right for you, schedule a consultation with your dentist.
A: If you have any decayed or damaged teeth that need to be removed, they will be extracted before your dentist takes a mold of your remaining gum structure, as well as the roof of your mouth. This mold will be sent to a dental lab for denture fabrication. When the completed dentures are completed, you will return to your dentist for a final fitting.
A: Yes. Dentures are removable prosthetics that will need to be cleaned and brushed daily. You should also brush your gums daily to prevent infections caused by bacteria. Your dentures should be kept in water when they aren’t in use to prevent them from warping. Keep in mind that it may take some time to adjust to dentures as you learn how to use the muscles in your cheeks and tongue to keep them in place. But over time, you should begin to feel more comfortable with your new prosthetics.
Dentures can be the perfect solution to bring back your smile, your confidence and to help you enjoy your food and in some cases your life again. Forget about the embarrassment of missing teeth, and speak to us today.