What Are Dentures?
What Are the Types of Dentures?
Dentures may either be full or partial, depending on the patient’s particular requirement.
- Complete or full dentures are used to replace all of the patients missing teeth, specifically on the upper maxillary or lower mandibular arches of the mouth. Usually, the artificial teeth are attached onto a gum colored plastic base that is kept in place by the gums, or by attaching onto dental implants.
- Partial dentures are used to replace some of the patient’s missing teeth in specific locations in the mouth where they are needed. The artificial teeth may either be attached onto a plastic base or a metal framework that is kept in place by metal clasps attached on to the patient’s existing teeth.
- Implant supported dentures, or overdentures, are possibly the best way to tackle the problem of loose dentures because the implant imparts stability and gives the necessary support the denture needs to stay in place.
Who Is a Candidate for Dentures?
The vast majority of patients who would like to replace missing or badly damaged teeth with dentures can successfully receive this treatment. The effectiveness of denture treatment has increased in recent years due to the availability of dental implants and bone grafting techniques. Historically, a person who has had severe periodontal disease or extensive bone loss affecting the jaw may not have been a good candidate for dentures. Today, these are issues that we can treat with advanced procedures to help rebuild the structure that is needed for dentures to sit securely over the gums. If you are missing even one tooth or suspect that you may need to have one or more teeth extracted due to dental disease, contact our office. Our team can help you regain your comfort, your chewing function, and your confidence.
How Many Hours a Day Should You Wear Your Dentures?
Patients are often advised to wear new dentures for 24 hours. After that initial period of healing, dentures should be removed for six to eight hours every day. The time during which one leaves their dentures out is completely up to them. Most people remove their dentures before going to sleep, as this may be the most convenient time to do so.
Is Denture Placement Painful?
The seating of a new denture may feel slightly odd or uncomfortable. The device is made to fit snug around the gums and jawbone, so can take some getting used to. That said, patients do not describe the insertion of dentures as painful. After dentures are seated for the first time, patients may experience minor irritation or soreness. It can take a few days to a few weeks for the gums, tongue, and cheek muscles to acclimate to the new form of the mouth, regardless of the precision of our measurements and fabrication processes. To manage comfort, patients may eat softer foods and more liquids until their mouths adjust to their dentures. An over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen may also help patients transition more comfortably into healthier new smiles.
What Can You Not Eat with Dentures?
Traditional dentures are secured to the gums via suction and, if the patient chooses, a denture adhesive. The use of an adhesive may help stabilize dentures for chewing, but there are a few items that patients should avoid even with extra measures to keep their dentures in place. Generally, dentists advise patients to avoid very hard foods and candies. Examples include apples and uncooked carrots. Chewy, sticky foods like caramel should also be avoided. Crunchy foods like nuts and popcorn can be hazardous because small bits or kernels could get under the dentures and cause pain or irritation to the gums. Patients may come across the suggestion that denture-wearers should not eat steak. This is suggested because some steak, depending on the preparation, can be very dense and chewy. Provided that steak is cut into smaller bite-sized pieces, this meal should not be strictly off-limits.
Should You Sleep with Dentures In?
Typically, patients are encouraged to remove their dentures before they go to sleep. This habit meets the requirement of allowing the mouth to rest for six to eight hours every day in a way that does not put the patient in a potentially embarrassing situation. It is necessary to leave dentures out about one-third of the day so that the gums and underlying oral structures can rest from the pressure of the dental fixture. Leaving a denture in at all times may allow bacteria to build up and can also result in sore spots on the gums or tongue. Removing dentures and placing them in an approved denture solution achieves two goals at once; it lets the mouth rest and, at the same time, cleans the denture of bacteria. Soaking dentures also facilitates consistency in shape over time.
What Is the Process of Getting Dentures?
- Conventional full dentures are fabricated based on impressions taken from the patient’s mouth. The dentures are fabricated in stages to ensure that the final teeth have the proper fit, bite and appearance of natural teeth.
- Immediate full dentures are used by patients immediately after all the teeth have been removed from the mouth. This means that the patient does not have to go without teeth for any period of time, but the downside to this is that the gums will begin to shrink during the healing process and the dentures may have to be readjusted over time to ensure the proper fit.
At the office of Drs. Lerner and Lemongello, we work with only the highest skilled technicians who use the best materials available on the market to achieve the most aesthetically pleasing and natural looking dentures. If you require new cosmetic dentures or would like to stabilize loose dentures with implants, call our office in Palm Beach, Florida to schedule a consultation today.
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