Dentures
Dentures — Replace Missing & Damaged Teeth for a Repaired Smile
We often think of dentures as being for the elderly. However, reports from the National Center for Health Statistics states that over 65% of adults between the ages of 40 and 64 have experienced tooth loss. In other words, false teeth are more common than you might think.
Dentures are prosthetic teeth that replace damaged, broken, or missing teeth. No matter your age, dentures can help repair your smile, improve your speech, and increase your confidence.
What Are the Different Types of Dentures?
There are two main types of dentures. The type you receive depends on the number of teeth missing or the severity of the tooth damage.
- Complete Dentures: These replace all of the teeth and are inserted after the gums have healed. Your dentist may attach the dentures to jaw implants for more stability.
- Partial Dentures: These replace some of the teeth and are attached with a plastic or metal plate in the gaps. They can be combined with dental implants for more coverage.
Dentures come in plastic, alloy, and flexible materials. Immediate dentures can also be placed into the mouth right after tooth removal.
How Do Dentures Work?
Dentures replace missing or removed teeth and are customized to fit the patient’s mouth. The process is simple and will give you a restored, all-natural smile and a renewed sense of confidence.
The process of getting dentures looks like this:
For complete dentures, all of the teeth must be removed. For partial dentures, only some of the teeth will be removed. Your dentist may provide temporary dentures at this time while you wait for your prosthetics to be ready.
Your dentist will take measurements of your mouth before creating the prosthetic. They will then take an impression of the mouth and create the wax model. Measurements will be sent to the lab and processing can take up to 12 weeks. For regular complete or partial dentures, the teeth need to be removed before measurements. Immediate dentures, on the other hand, are molded and fitted on the same day as the tooth extraction.
Once your prosthetics are ready and your gums have healed, your dentist will fit the dentures into your mouth. They may need to be sent back to the lab if they require major adjustments. This should only take 2-3 days and then your dentures will be ready for wear!
How Do I Care for My Dentures?
It’s important to take proper care of your dentures, just like you would your natural teeth. Dentures are removable, however, they should not be left outside the mouth for too long. Here’s how to care for your dentures:
- Remove the dentures completely from the mouth.
- Rinse with hot water to remove particles.
- Brush over the surface with a soft brush. You will want to use denture-specific toothpaste to clean.
- While dentures are removed, brush your remaining teeth and mouth as you would normally.
- Whenever dentures are not in the mouth, be sure to keep them in clean water or cleaning solution as instructed by your dentist.
Dentures FAQs
Are dentures painful?
Dentures may not feel as comfortable as your natural teeth at first, which is completely normal. However, dentures themselves are not painful. As with any dental treatment, there may be an adjustment period. If experiencing any unusual pain or discomfort, contact your dentist immediately.
Can I sleep in my dentures?
It’s important to remove your dentures at night. Dentures should be cleaned before bed and stored properly to avoid the build-up of bacteria. If it happens once in a while, don’t panic. Simply remove your dentures as soon as possible and clean the prosthetic.
Can I eat normally with my dentures?
You can eat anything you would normally with dentures. It might feel a bit strange to eat certain foods at first, but you will quickly learn to feel comfortable with your new false teeth as though they were your own.
Will others notice I have dentures?
Dentures are meant to resemble natural teeth. This means that people won’t be able to tell you have them. Your new, bright smile will most likely be the thing they first notice!
How long will my dentures last?
Complete dentures can last 7-10 years with proper cleaning. Partial dentures can last up to 15 years. You can have your dentures replaced or realigned as needed.
How much do dentures cost?
The cost of dentures depends on the complexity of the issue, and whether you require full or partial treatment. You can book a no-obligation consultation with one of our dentists to learn more. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have and provide a quote for the procedure.