Denture FAQ

Typically with standard dentures it takes a few weeks and normally 4 or 5 appointments. These include: Impressions – a mould is taken of your gums and/or teeth Bite registration – we measure how you bite and select your new teeth with you Wax try-in – you get to see your new denture and try them on before they are actually finished Finish – you get to wear your new teeth home With higher end dentures such as precision or BPS there are other appointments involved.

As with any new appliance, dentures may feel quite odd, usually they feel big. They may cause increased saliva flow or they may alter speech. One should start by cutting food into small pieces, avoid hot foods, and avoid hard foods until the tissue, where the denture rests, becomes used to the new teeth. As time goes by, one will become accustomed to them. This will take time and you may get some sores initially, don’t panic.

As the years pass, the tissue and bone may shrink slightly. As this happens your dentures will then loosen. Also, as you lose or gain weight, you may notice that the denture may loosen. Dentures can be relined to help them fit snug again. However, if their bases are too far gone, you may need to get a new denture. If your denture is more than a year or two old and you are using Fixodent everyday… your dentures are too loose and you could benefit from a reline. Relines are usually done same day and should be done every couple of years.

Denture adhesive can provide additional retention even for well-fitting dentures, especially for lower dentures. However, denture adhesives are not the solution for old, ill-fitting dentures. A poorly fitting denture, which causes constant irritation over a long period, may contribute to the development of bone loss and sores. These dentures may need a reline or need to be replaced. If your dentures begin to feel loose, or cause pronounced discomfort, consult with your Denturist immediately.
Studies show that denture adhesives contain zinc and using too much adhesive can lead to excess zinc intake which can result in copper deficiency and lead to hypocupremia and profound neurologic disease

Everyone that is missing teeth to varying degree should wear a denture. Complete dentures for those people who are edentulous (i.e.. Have no natural teeth remaining), or a partial denture for those who have some natural teeth remaining. A partial is important to prevent the remaining natural teeth from shifting, which will occur if the spaces are not filled in. Dentures improve chewing and speech, as well as provide facial support which will dramatically improve your appearance and smile.

Dentures should be cleaned, if possible, after each meal. The best way is to remove them and rinse them. If one is able to, brushing the dentures is advised, as well as rinsing the mouth to clean it of any debris. If some natural teeth do remain, brushing them is always suggested. Soak your dentures at night after brushing them, if you wish you can use a denture cleaner like Renew. Do not allow them to dry out because they may warp. It is also much healthier to keep your dentures out overnight to avoid excessive pressure on the soft tissue and bone. Always remember to brush your tongue and lightly brush the gums with a soft toothbrush. Special denture brushes should be used on the dentures. You should not use regular toothpaste on dentures, it is too abrasive.

The denture process usually takes a few weeks and approximately five appointments. New denture wearers need time to get accustomed to their new “teeth” because even the best fitting dentures will feel awkward at first. While most patients can begin to speak normally within a few hours, many patients report discomfort with eating for several weeks. To get accustomed to chewing with a new denture, start with soft, easy-to-chew foods. In addition, denture wearers often notice a slight change in facial appearance, increased salivary flow, or minor speech difficulty.

Under normal circumstances it is considered best to remove them at night. Research has shown that removing the denture for at least eight hours during either the day or night allows the gum tissue to rest and allows normal stimulation and cleansing by the tongue and saliva. This promotes better long-term health of gums.

It is important to continue having regular checkups so that your Denturist can examine your oral tissues and your dentures. As you age, your mouth will continue to change as the bone under your denture shrinks or recedes. To maintain a proper fit over time, it is necessary to adjust, reline or remake your denture. Never attempt to adjust a denture yourself and do not use denture adhesives for a prolonged period of time. When in doubt, consult your Denturist.
Consider seeing your Denturist once a year for an annual checkup.

Removable partial dentures usually consist of replacement teeth attached to pink plastic bases, which are connected by metal framework. Partial dentures attach to your natural teeth usually with metal clasps. Otherwise they are not much different than regular dentures. However you should see your dentist regularly to keep an eye on your natural teeth, to clean them and watch them if they become loose.

For the first few weeks, your new partial denture may feel awkward or bulky. However, your mouth will eventually become accustomed to wearing it. Inserting and removing the denture will require some practice. Follow all instructions given by your Denturist. Your denture should fit into place with relative ease. Never force the partial denture into position by biting down. This could bend or break the clasps.

Your Denturist will give you specific instruction about how long the denture should be worn and when it should be removed. Initially, you may be asked to wear your partial denture all the time. Although this may be temporarily uncomfortable, it is the quickest way to identify those denture parts that may need adjustment. If the denture puts too much pressure on a particular area, that spot will become sore. Your Denturist will adjust the denture to fit more comfortably. After making adjustments, your Denturist will probably recommend that you take the denture out of your mouth before going to bed and replace it in the morning.

Replacing missing teeth should make eating a more pleasant experience. Start out by eating soft foods that are cut into small pieces. Chew on both sides of the mouth to keep even pressure on the denture. Avoid foods that are extremely sticky or hard. You may want to avoid chewing gum while you adjust to the denture.

It can be difficult to speak clearly when you are missing teeth. Consequently, wearing a partial denture may help. If you find it difficult to pronounce certain words with your new denture, practice reading out loud. Repeat the words that give you trouble. With time, you will become accustomed to speaking properly with your denture. Don’t get discouraged off the start if you are not speaking normally, after a week or so you will get used to them.

Over time, adjusting the denture may be necessary. As you age, your mouth naturally changes, which can affect the fit of the denture. Your bone and gum ridges can recede or shrink, resulting in a loose-fitting denture. Dentures that do not fit properly should be adjusted by your Denturist. Loose dentures can cause various problems, including sores or infections. See your Denturist promptly if your denture becomes loose.

Immediate dentures are inserted immediately after the removal of the remaining teeth. To make this possible, the Denturist takes measurements and makes the models of the patient’s jaws during a preliminary visit.
One of the main advantages of immediate dentures is that the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums can shrink over time, especially during the period of healing in the first six to nine months after the removal of teeth. When gums shrink, immediate dentures will require relining to fit properly.
One of the main disadvantages of immediate dentures is that you cannot have a try-in… this makes it very difficult to predict how the denture is going to fit and how its going to look once your teeth are extracted and the denture is in place. With only one or two teeth being removed its not too bad but if you are getting many teeth removed this can be a real problem and perhaps a temporary denture can be fabricated for the short term instead, this would in turn eliminate the reline and you would have a new properly fit denture.

An overdenture is a removable denture that fits over a small number of remaining natural teeth or implants. The natural teeth must be prepared to provide stability and support for the denture. Your Denturist can determine if an overdenture would be suitable for you.

New dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks until you become accustomed to them. The dentures 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 to the dentures, these problems should diminish. One or more follow-up appointments with the Denturist are generally needed after a denture is inserted. If any problem persists, particularly irritation or soreness, be sure to consult your Denturist.

Dentures can be made to closely resemble your natural teeth so that little change in appearance will be noticeable. Dentures may even improve the look of your smile and help fill out the appearance of your face and profile. This is where the try-in is critical so you can see yourself in the mirror before the denture is finished and make sure you like the look of your new dentures.

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 dentures from tipping. As you become accustomed to chewing, add other foods until you return to your normal diet.
Continue to chew food using both sides of the mouth at the same time. Be cautious with hot or hard foods and sharp-edged bones or shells. Your upper denture covers your palate so be careful with hot foods and liquids.

Pronouncing certain words may require practice. Reading out loud and repeating troublesome words will help. If your dentures “click” while you’re talking, speak more slowly.
You may find that your dentures occasionally slip when you laugh, cough or smile. Reposition the dentures by gently biting down and swallowing. If a speaking problem persists, consult your Denturist.

You can seriously damage your dentures and harm your health by trying to adjust or repair your dentures. A denture that is not made to fit properly can cause irritation and sores.
See your Denturist if your dentures break, crack, chip, or if one of the teeth becomes loose. A Denturist can often make the necessary adjustments or repairs on the same day. A person who lacks the proper training will not be able to reconstruct the denture. This can cause greater damage to the denture and may cause problems in your mouth. Glue sold over-the-counter often contains harmful chemicals and should not be used on dentures.

Over time, dentures will need to be relined, rebased, or remade due to normal wear, the average lifespan of a denture is about 5 years. It depends on what you eat and your bone structure as they can last longer and they can also wear out faster. If your denture is loose you can get a reline, which involves a new impression under your existing denture, and then the tissue side of your denture is replaced but the teeth are not. This is generally done same day.
Dentures may need to be replaced if they become loose and the teeth show signs of significant wear. Dentures become loose because a mouth naturally changes with age. Bone and gum ridges can recede or shrink, causing jaws to align differently. Shrinking ridges can cause dentures to fit less securely. Loose dentures can cause health problems, including sores and infections. A loose denture also makes chewing more difficult and may change your facial features. It’s important to replace worn or poorly-fitting dentures before they cause problems.

A: Even with full dentures, you still need to take good care of your mouth. Every morning, brush your gums, tongue and palate with a soft-bristled brush before you put in your dentures. This removes plaque and stimulates circulation in the mouth. Selecting a balanced diet for proper nutrition is also important for maintaining a healthy mouth.

You can seriously damage your dentures and harm your health by trying to adjust or repair your dentures. A denture that is not made to fit properly can cause irritation and sores.
See your Denturist if your dentures break, crack, chip, or if one of the teeth becomes loose. A Denturist can often make the necessary adjustments or repairs on the same day. A person who lacks the proper training will not be able to reconstruct the denture. This can cause greater damage to the denture and may cause problems in your mouth. Glue sold over-the-counter often contains harmful chemicals and should not be used on dentures.

You can seriously damage your dentures and harm your health by trying to adjust or repair your dentures. A denture that is not made to fit properly can cause irritation and sores.
See your Denturist if your dentures break, crack, chip, or if one of the teeth becomes loose. A Denturist can often make the necessary adjustments or repairs on the same day. A person who lacks the proper training will not be able to reconstruct the denture. This can cause greater damage to the denture and may cause problems in your mouth. Glue sold over-the-counter often contains harmful chemicals and should not be used on dentures.

You can seriously damage your dentures and harm your health by trying to adjust or repair your dentures. A denture that is not made to fit properly can cause irritation and sores.
See your Denturist if your dentures break, crack, chip, or if one of the teeth becomes loose. A Denturist can often make the necessary adjustments or repairs on the same day. A person who lacks the proper training will not be able to reconstruct the denture. This can cause greater damage to the denture and may cause problems in your mouth. Glue sold over-the-counter often contains harmful chemicals and should not be used on dentures.

Implant retained dentures are more stable than most other types of dentures. Implants are a proven restorative option with an excellent success rate.
Dental implants can be used to replace a single lost tooth or many missing teeth. Many patients who have chosen implant supported teeth report they are happy and comfortable for the first time since the loss of their natural teeth.
You still care for your dentures in basically the same way taking them out to clean them and at night, the dentures clip in on the implants to hold them down. The lower denture is more stable and leads to a lot less sores and food getting under it.

Implants for denture wearers have been in use for over 25 years with excellent results. Implants are permanent and with appropriate care will last a lifetime.

Pain associated with implant surgery is usually less intense than a tooth extraction. With modern dentistry it should be painless.v