There are a couple different types of dentures at Edgerton and Glenn that can be used to replace missing teeth. If you are missing multiple teeth in one area of your mouth, you may be a candidate for a partial denture. If you are missing a significant number of teeth on one or both arches, a full denture may be right for you. Dentures are very natural looking and can be a much more cost-effective way to restore the form and function of your mouth.
How are dentures made?
If you need teeth extracted, your dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon who will remove the necessary teeth. Once your extraction sites are healed and the swelling has gone down, your dentist will bring you back to their office and take an impression of your mouth. They will use this impression to make a model of your mouth for the dental lab. The dental lab will take that model and fabricate a denture designed specifically for you and your mouth. The model allows the lab technician to you have an accurate measurement of your mouth so that your denture fits snugly into place without being too tight so as to cause sores.
The lab technician will create porcelain teeth and tent them to match neighboring teeth in the case of a partial denture or tent them to be the color you want them to be in the case of a full denture. The acrylic base in which the teeth are set is tinted to match your gums. Once your dentist receives your partial or full denture back from the lab, they will have you back into the office for a fitting! If your denture is not perfect, your dentist may be able to make the required adjustments. If the adjustments cannot be made an office, your dentist will send your denture back to the dental lab.
Becoming Accustomed to Your New Denture
Learning how to speak, bite, and chew with your new denture will take a few weeks and may even take a month or two. If you notice any sores developing, call your dentist so they can get you in to have your denture adjusted. You may be tempted to not wear your denture all day every day, but is very important so that you can acclimate to your new dental prosthesis and learn to speak and chew just as before. If you do not get to the dentist as soon as you notice any irritation, a sore can develop and will have to heal before you can wear your denture comfortably.
How long will my denture last?
Well cared for, dentures can easily last decades. It is important to maintain regular visits to your dentist! Just because you don’t have as many teeth doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go just as often as before! These regular visits will help your dentist ensure that your jaw bone structure and any remaining teeth are in good shape.
Below, we have listed a few tips to help you keep your denture as long as possible.
- Keep your gum tissue healthy by brushing them twice daily, in the morning before placing your denture and at night after taking them out.
- When you are not wearing your denture, keep it in a glass of room temperature water or denture-soaking solution so it does not dry out.
- Clean your denture every day by brushing it with a soft-bristled brush over a soft surface in case you drop them. It is important to brush your denture thoroughly every day to remove food particles and plaque buildup and to prevent staining.
And of course, be sure to continue with your regular visits to your dentist! Your mouth will change over the years and your denture may need adjustments. Never adjust your denture on your own!
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