Processing a denture is usually performed using a lost-wax technique whereby the form of the final denture, including the acrylic denture teeth, is invested in stone. This investment is then heated, and when it melts the wax is removed through a spruing channel. The remaining cavity is then either filled by forced injection or pouring in the uncured denture acrylic, which is either a heat cured or cold-cured type. During the processing period, heat cured acrylics—also called permanent denture acrylics—go through a process called polymerization, causing the acrylic materials to bond very tightly and taking several hours to complete. After a curing period, the stone investment is removed, the acrylic is polished, and the denture is complete. The end result is a denture that looks much more natural, is much stronger and more durable than a cold cured temporary denture, resists stains and odors, and will last for many years.
However, in today’s always-on advertising world there is a lot of misinformation surrounding procedures like ours in which dentures and dental implants are used. If you open the newspaper on Sunday, you’ll find four to five advertisements stating that patients can get “dental implants” at outrageously low prices. In most cases, it’s not accurate. Remember the old adage, if it seems too good to be true, it usually is.
Always remove your dentures before sleeping to avoid damaging them, dislodging them, and to give your gums some time to relax. Submerge your dentures fully in warm, but not hot, water to keep them from drying out and becoming misshapen. Only use denture soaking solution if your dentures do not have metal components as the solution can tarnish the metal.
In addition to directing the fabrication of the denture, dentists provide information to patients on the proper care and use of the appliance. Dentures must be cared for properly. For example, placing removable dentures in water or a denture cleanser solution, when they are not being worn, helps the denture retain its shape, remain pliable and keeps it from drying out. Dentures should never be placed in hot water as it could cause them to warp.
Whether you are considering getting dentures, already have them, or know someone with them, it’s very likely that you may have some questions about them. What follows is information on what dentures really are, what kind of care they require, and how dentures can improve your oral health. We hope to help you find the answers to all your denture queries and to find out, if necessary, whether dentures might be right for you.
So I wound up with my partial getting a tooth put in it as I thought they would pull my tooth but when the doctor's fax came, it still was not good enough for them. I believe that he just did not want to service me by pulling my tooth. I have a partial I cannot wear because the tooth put in there it will not fit in my mouth. I have to say that never in my life and I'm 59 now, have I ever been treated so badly by a doctor. The way he spoke to me in front of everyone in the office and people in the waiting room. I was so taken off guard by that.
Regardless of whether a patient gets partial or full dentures, the transition may feel uncomfortable and awkward at first. It may take a little while for the patient to get used to eating and speaking with the dentures and it takes roughly the same amount of time for the cheeks and the tongue to learn how to naturally hold your dentures in place. During the initial period, it is not uncommon for the patient to experience an excessive production of saliva, irritations stemming from feeling like the space inside the mouth has become cramped and like the lips are being pushed forward, and some level of soreness. If the irritation escalates to an unbearable level, do not hesitate to visit your dentist for a check up.
The term oral cancer includes cancer of the mouth (oral cavity) and the back of the mouth (oropharynx). Red and white patches inside the mouth, bleeding, loose teeth, pain upon swallowing, a lump in the neck, earache, and a sore on your lip or in your mouth that won't heal are all symptoms of oral cancer. Treatment for oral cancer depends upon the staging of the disease and usually involves surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
In some cases, oral surgery is performed to correct bony ridges that may interfere with the stability of the denture. In other cases, the remaining teeth may need to be extracted before placement. Once your dentist has decided that dentures are right for you, he will make an impression of the gums to identify every ridge and crevice to ensure the best fit possible.
