What Are Dentures?
Are you missing teeth? Whether you’ve lost one tooth, a few, or most of your teeth, dentures are a convenient and affordable restorative treatment used to fill in gaps and restore the structure of your teeth.
Dentures are removable false teeth attached to a pink acrylic base that mimics the appearance of gums. They help restore your ability to chew and speak as well as restore a natural-looking aesthetic smile.
Most people are good candidates for dentures, especially those with insufficient jaw bone to support dental implants. A denture will also restore the lack of facial support that occurs from bone loss and will prevent your teeth from shifting. Contact us at Camellia Dentistry today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ethan Park.
The Dentures Process: What to Expect
First, Dr. Ethan Park will need you to come in for a consultation. Here, we will perform an oral exam and take x-rays to assess your tooth loss and the health of your remaining teeth. This consultation will help us determine if you’re a good candidate for dentures.
If you are receiving full dentures, we may need to extract your remaining teeth. It will take 8-12 weeks for your gums to heal but you will wear a temporary denture in the meantime. Impressions are taken for both full and partial dentures.
The impressions and jaw measurements are sent to a dental lab that fabricates your dentures. The next appointment will be a try-in, where we will test how the first mock-up of your dentures fit and feel.
Adjustments often need to be made at this stage and may take a few tries to get just right. Then, we will cast your final denture and have an official fitting. If no adjustments are needed, these will be your official dentures.
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FOOD DO’S AND DON’TS
Yes, you will be able to eat and drink many foods with dentures, but it will take some getting used to. The first month of wearing dentures is considered the adjustment period. During this time, you should only eat soft foods, chew very slowly, and cut your food into smaller bites.
Avoid very hot and cold foods and drinks as well as hard and sticky foods like nuts, popcorn, or gum. Tough meats should also be avoided. We recommend you try to chew at the back of the mouth instead of the front and apply an equal amount of pressure on both sides of the mouth.
PARTIAL DENTURES
A partial denture is used to replace one or a few missing teeth in the mouth and connects to surrounding natural teeth with metal clasps. By clasping the denture onto these teeth, the artificial teeth fill in gaps in the smile. It is typically a plate made of acrylic and connected through a metal wire framework.
FULL DENTURES
A complete denture replaces all of the teeth in an arch. Full dentures are typically used to replace all of the teeth in the mouth but may be used to replace only one arch in the upper or lower jaw. This is only recommended for people who are missing a significant amount of teeth, as the rest of your natural teeth need to be extracted.
How Long Do Dentures Last?
A LONG LASTING SOLUTION
Partial dentures can last for up to 15 years, while full dentures have an average lifespan of 5-10 years. To ensure your dentures last as long as possible, make sure you clean them every day and store them properly in moisture overnight.
Do not run your dentures under hot water, as this can morph their shape. The structure of your mouth will change over time due to bone loss and this is why dentures eventually need to be replaced. Attend regular dental visits every 6 months to check on the fit of your dentures.
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