An important step in maintaining a healthy smile is to replace
missing teeth. When teeth are missing, the remaining ones can change
position, drifting into the surrounding space. Teeth that are out of
position can damage tissues in the mouth. In addition, it may be difficult
to clean thoroughly between crooked teeth. As a result, you run the risk
of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease, which can lead to the loss
of additional teeth.
A removable partial denture, also called a removable bridge,
fills in the space created by missing teeth and fills out your smile. It
can be made of acrylic resin, metal or a combination of both. Complete or
full dentures replace all the teeth in the upper or lower
jaw.
Complete dentures are either "conventional" or "immediate." A
conventional denture is placed in the mouth about 4 to 8 weeks after all
of the teeth are removed to allow for proper healing. A conventional
denture is also made to replace an existing denture. An immediate denture
is placed as soon as the teeth are removed. The drawback with an immediate
denture is that it may require more adjustments after the healing has
taken place.
A denture helps you to properly chew food, a difficult
task when you are missing teeth. In addition, a denture may improve speech
and prevent a sagging face by providing support for lips and
cheeks.
Here are answers to common questions about partial and full
dentures:
How do you wear a removable
partial denture? Removable partial dentures usually consist of replacement teeth
attached to pink or gum-colored plastic bases, which are connected by
metal framework. Removable partial dentures attach to your natural teeth
with metal clasps or devices called precision attachments. Precision
attachments are generally more esthetic than metal clasps and they are
nearly invisible. Crowns on your natural teeth may improve the fit of a
removable partial denture and they are usually required with attachments.
Dentures with precision attachments generally cost more than those with
metal clasps but fit and stay in place much better. Dr. Chetan Bhole can advise
you to find out which type is right for you.
Who needs a denture? Candidates for complete dentures
have lost most or all of their teeth. A partial denture is suitable for
those who have some natural teeth remaining. While missing one or two
adjacent teeth can often be best restored with a fixed or cemented bridge,
partial dentures work best to replace multiple missing teeth. A denture
improves chewing ability and speech, and appearance and
smile.
What happens when you get a
denture? A full conventional denture can be made when all teeth
have been lost or all extraction sites have healed (up to eight weeks or
longer.) The denture process takes about one month and 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 days or a few 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.
How do you care for a
denture? A denture is fragile, so it is important to handle it
with care. Remove and brush the denture daily, preferably with a brush
designed specifically for cleaning dentures, using either a denture
cleanser or toothpaste. Never use harsh, abrasive cleansers, including
abrasive toothpastes, because they may scratch the surface of the
denture.
Don't sterilize your denture with boiling water because it
will cause it to become warped. If you wear a partial denture be sure to
remove it before brushing your natural teeth. When not in use, soak it in
a cleanser solution, diluted mouthwash or in water. Get in the habit of
keeping the denture in the same safe and handy place to reduce the
likelihood of misplacement.
A helpful hint is to remove your
partial or full denture over a full sink of water, so if it should fall,
the water will break the fall, reducing the risk of damage.
Should a denture be worn at night? While
you may be advised to wear your new denture almost constantly during the
first two weeks-even while you sleep-under normal circumstances it is
considered best to remove it 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.
Do I need to continue to see a
dentist after I have full dentures? Yes. It is important to
continue having regular dental checkups so that Dr. Chetan Bhole can examine
oral tissues for signs of disease or cancer. 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 may be necessary to adjust your
denture or possibly remake your denture. Never attempt to adjust a denture
yourself and do not use denture adhesives for a prolonged period because
it can contribute to bone loss. When in doubt, consult with Dr. Chetan Bhole.
Will it be difficult to wear a
full or partial denture? 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.
Partial dentures are generally easy to wear and easy to
get used to. Full dentures are not, especially full lower dentures. It has
been said that 80% of people with upper dentures are very happy, while 20%
are unhappy wearing full dentures. The opposite is true of lower full
dentures, 80% are unhappy while 20% are pleased. Dental implants can improve the
wearability of lower dentures.
Both full and partial dentures
require time for you to adapt. Often several adjustment are required to
get the fit exactly right. Because different thicknesses of gum tissue
compress differently, small "sore spots" may develop as the denture rests
upon your gums. Please do not try and tough it out. Call and come in for
included adjustments to the denture.
Over time, additional
adjustments of 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.
Partial Dentures that do not fit properly should be adjusted. Loose
dentures can cause various problems, including sores or infections. Call
us promptly if your denture becomes loose.
Can I make minor adjustments or repairs to my partial or full
denture? You can do serious harm to your partial denture and to
your health by trying to adjust or repair your denture. A denture that is
not made to fit precisely by a dentist can cause irritation and sores.
Using a do-it-yourself kit can damage the appliance beyond repair. Glues
sold over-the-counter often contain harmful chemicals and should not be
used on a denture.
If your denture no longer fits properly, if it
breaks, cracks or chips, or if one of the teeth becomes loose, call us
immediately. In many cases, we can make necessary adjustments or repairs,
often on the same day. Complicated repairs may require that the denture be
sent to a special dental laboratory.
Must I do anything special to take care of my mouth?
Brushing twice a day and cleaning between your teeth daily help
prevent tooth decay and gum disease that can lead to tooth loss. Pay
special attention to cleaning teeth that fit under the denture's metal
clasps. Plaque that becomes trapped under the clasps will increase the
risk of tooth decay. We will demonstrate how to properly brush and clean
between teeth. Selecting a balanced diet for proper nutrition is also
important.
An important step in maintaining a healthy smile is to replace
missing teeth. When teeth are missing, the remaining ones can change
position, drifting into the surrounding space. Teeth that are out of
position can damage tissues in the mouth. In addition, it may be difficult
to clean thoroughly between crooked teeth. As a result, you run the risk
of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease, which can lead to the loss
of additional teeth.
A removable partial denture, also called a removable bridge,
fills in the space created by missing teeth and fills out your smile. It
can be made of acrylic resin, metal or a combination of both. Complete or
full dentures replace all the teeth in the upper or lower
jaw.
Removable partial dentures usually consist of replacement teeth
attached to pink or gum-colored plastic bases, which are connected by
metal framework. Removable partial dentures attach to your natural teeth
with metal clasps or devices called precision attachments. Precision
attachments are generally more esthetic than metal clasps and they are
nearly invisible. Crowns on your natural teeth may improve the fit of a
removable partial denture and they are usually required with attachments.
Dentures with precision attachments generally cost more than those with
metal clasps but fit and stay in place much better. Dr. Chetan Bhole can advise
you to find out which type is right for you.