DENTURES ALPHARETTA

A denture is a detachable substitute for missing teeth and nearby tissues. It is made of acrylic resin, in some cases in mixture with a variety of metals.

Varieties of dentures

Complete dentures replace all the teeth, while a partial denture fills the slots created by missing teeth and keeps other teeth from shifting.

Candidates for complete dentures have lost most or all their teeth. A partial denture is appropriate for those who have a number of natural teeth remaining. A denture strengthens chewing capacity and speech, and provides support for facial muscles. It will drastically improve the facial appearance and smile.

Complete or full dentures are made when all your original teeth are missing. You might have a full denture on your upper or lower jaw, or both.

Complete dentures are referred to as “conventional” or “immediate” depending on when they are made and when they are put in inside the mouth. Immediate dentures are put in promptly after the removal of the lingering teeth. To make this attainable, the dentist takes measurements and makes the models of the patient’ s jaws during an initial visit.

An advantage of immediate dentures is that the person wearing them does not need to do without teeth during the healing period. Unfortunately, bones and gums can shrink with time, particularly during the period of recovery in the first six months after the extraction of teeth. When gums shrink, immediate dentures may demand rebasing or relining to fit appropriately. A standard denture can then be made once the tissues have recovered. Healing may take approximately 6-8 weeks.

An overdenture is a removable denture that fits over a small number of remaining natural teeth or implants. The natural teeth will need to be prepared to provide balance and support for the denture

Partial dentures are often a remedy when many teeth are missing.

Removable partial dentures usually consist of substitution teeth connected to pink or gum-colored plastic bases, which are linked by metal frame. Removable partial dentures connect to your original teeth with metal clasps or instruments called precision connections. Precision attachments are typically more aesthetic than metal clasps and are nearly clear. Crowns on your natural teeth may improve the fit of an extractible partial denture and they are generally required with attachments. Partials with precision attachments generally cost more than those with metal clasps.

How are dentures made?

The denture process takes about one month and five scheduled appointments: the preliminary diagnosis is made; an imprint and a wax bite are made to identify vertical dimensions and appropriate jaw position; a “try-in” is placed to assure proper color, shape and fit; and the patient’ s final denture is placed, following any minimal adjustments.

First, an imprint of your jaw is made using special materials. In addition, measurements are made to show how your jaws connect to each other and just how much space is between them (bite relationship). The color or shade of your natural teeth will also be determined. The impression, bite and shade are handed to the dental laboratory so a denture can be custom-made for your mouth.

The dental workshop creates a mold or model of your jaw, positions the teeth in a wax base, and etches the wax to the specific form wanted in the completed denture Routinely a “wax try-in” of the denture will be conducted at the dentist’ s office so any realignments can be done before the denture is completed.

The denture is finished at the dental lab using the “lost wax” method. A mold of the wax-up denture is developed, the wax is taken off and the lingering space is filled with pink plastic in dough form. The mold is then heated up to strengthen the plastic. The denture is then buffed and set for wear.

Getting used to your denture.

For the early couple of weeks, a new denture may feel awkward or bulky. Nevertheless, your mouth will inevitably become familiar with donning it. Placing and taking out the denture will require some practice. Your denture should easily fit into place. Never push the partial denture into position by biting down. This could bend or break the clasps.

At first, you may be asked to wear your denture all the time. Although this may be temporarily annoying, it is the quickest way to determine those denture parts that may need adjustment. If the denture adds too much pressure on a specific area, that spot will become sore. Your denture can be adapted to fit more comfortably. After making adjustments, you may need to take the denture out of your mouth before sleep and replace it in the morning.

Start by eating soft foods that are divided into little pieces. Chew on both sides of the mouth to keep even pressure on the denture. Stay away from sticky or hard foods, including gum.

Care of your denture.

It’s best to stand over a folded hand towel or a sink of water when gripping your denture, just in the event you mistakenly drop it. Clean the denture (preferably with a denture brush) daily to extract food deposits and plaque, and keep it from becoming permanently stained. Avoid using a brush with hard bristles, which can damage the denture. Look out for denture cleansers with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. Pay special attention to cleansing teeth that sit under the denture’s metal clasps. Plaque that is entraped under the clasps will increase the risk of tooth decay.

Hand soap or gentle dishwashing solution to clean dentures is also acceptable. Other forms of household cleaners and many toothpastes are too rough and should not be used for cleansing dentures. A denture could lose its proper shape if it is not kept wet. At night, the denture should be placed in soaking solution or water. However, if the appliance has metal attachments, they may be tarnished if placed in soaking solution.

Even with complete dentures, you still have to take good care of your mouth. Every morning, brush your gums, tongue and palate with a soft-bristled toothbrush before you drop in your dentures. This removes plaque and promotes circulation in the mouth. Picking a balanced diet for proper nutrition is also important for preserving a healthy mouth.

Adjustments

Eventually, readjusting the denture may be required. As you age, your mouth naturally changes, which can alter the fit of the denture. Your bone and gum ridges can recede or shrink, producing a loose-fitting denture. Loose dentures can cause numerous problems, including sores or infections. Dentures that do not fit appropriately can be fine-tuned. Avoid using a diy kit to adjust your dentures, as this can damage the apparatus beyond repair. Adhesives sold over-the-counter often contain damaging chemicals and should not be used on a denture.

If your denture no longer fits properly, if it cracks, cracks or chips, or if some of the teeth becomes loose, see your dentist right away. In a lot of cases, dentists can make necessary adjustments or repairs, often on the same day. Complex repairs may require that the denture be sent out to a special dental laboratory.

Over time, dentures will need to be realigned, re-based, or re-made because of normal wear. To reline or re-base a denture, the dentist uses the existing denture teeth and renovates the denture base or makes a new denture base. Dentures may have to be replaced if they become loose and the teeth show signs of significant wear.

Common concerns

Eating will take a little bit of practice. Start with soft foods cut into small pieces. Chew slowly using both sides of your mouth simultaneously to avoid the dentures from tipping. As you become adjusted 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 mindful with hot or hard foods and sharp-edged bones or shells.

Some people stress over how dentures will affect their speech. Consider how your speech is afflicted when you have a number of your natural teeth missing.

Articulating certain words may require practice. Reading out loud and repeating troublesome words will help. If your dentures “click” while you ‘re speaking, speak more slowly. You may find that your dentures occasionally slide when you laugh, cough or smile. Rearrange the dentures by gently biting down and swallowing. If a speaking problem persists, get in touch with your dentist.

Denture adhesives

Denture glues can provide additional holding for well-fitting dentures. Denture glues are not the solution for old, uncomfortable dentures. A badly fitting denture, which causes constant irritation over a substantial period, may trigger the development of sores. These dentures may need a reline or need to be replaced. If your dentures start to feel loose, or cause pronounced discomfort, talk to your dentist immediately.