Dentures can restore or even enhance a person's appearance and be virtually undetectable. It takes some time to find the best way to insert and take out the dentures, and the gums will be a little sore in places at first. It is very important to return to the dentist often during the first few weeks to adjust the parts of the denture that are irritating the oral tissues.
Deposits such as microbial plaque, calculus and food debris can accumulate on the dentures, which may lead to issues such as angular stomatitis, denture stomatitis, undesirable odours and tastes as well as staining. The deposits can also quicken the rate at which some of the denture materials wear down.[26] Due to the presence of these deposits, there is an increased risk of the denture wearer and other people around them developing a systemic disease by organisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA),[27] but research shows that denture cleaners are effective against MRSA.[28][29][30] Therefore, denture cleaning is imperative for the overall health of the denture wearers as well as for the health of people they come into contact with.[31]
Immediate Dentures: Immediate dentures, as the name implies, are placed as soon as the natural teeth are removed. With immediate dentures, the patient need not face the world without teeth, can eat normally much sooner than with conventional dentures, and does not have the speech problems associated with the normal denture process. However, since healing of the gums and jaw will change the fit of immediate dentures, the patient will typically need a new set in about six months.
Tooth-supported fixed bridge. The most common alternative to dental implants for a single tooth, fixed bridges involve grinding away – in other words, intentionally damaging – healthy adjacent teeth that are used to attach and support the bridge. The tooth-supported bridge does not stimulate natural bone growth beneath it, so the bone may deteriorate over time. Bridges generally fail after 5-10 years because patient have difficulty flossing them, which makes the root surfaces below and around the bridgework highly susceptible to decay.
Problems with dentures may arise because patients are not used to having something in their mouth that is not food. The brain senses the appliance and interprets it as 'food', sending messages to the salivary glands to produce more saliva and to secrete it at a higher rate. This usually only happens in the first 12 to 24 hours, after which the salivary glands return to their normal output. New dentures can also be the cause of sore spots as they compress the denture-bearing soft tissues (mucosa). A few denture adjustments in the days following insertion of the dentures can take care of this problem. Gagging is another problem encountered by a minority of patients. At times, this may be due to a denture that is too loose, too thick or extended too far posteriorly onto the soft palate. At times, gagging may also be attributed to psychological denial of the denture. Psychological gagging is the most difficult to treat since it is out of the dentist's control. In such cases, an implant-supported palateless denture may have to be constructed. Sometimes there could be a gingivitis infection under the completed dentures, caused by the accumulation of dental plaque. One of the most common problems for wearers of new upper complete denture is a loss of taste sensations.
Dentures not only improve the appearance of a smile that has multiple missing teeth, but they also keep the structure of the mouth sound by supporting the structures around the cheeks and lips. Dentures also make it possible to eat foods that require chewing, making it possible to keep your diet the same and ensure that you are properly nourished. Lastly, dentures are a viable solution to replace teeth that are causing serious pain and oral health issues, such as those with rotted roots or severe damage. Having dentures fitted means that troublesome teeth are eliminated and replaced with a strong and beautiful alternative.
The different types of complete dentures include Conventional, Immediate and Implant-retained. Conventional Dentures which are applied after the teeth are extracted and the gums are allowed to heal – takes around 8-12 weeks. Prior to the fitting of the Conventional Dentures and the interim healing period, the dentist would normally place a pre-fabricated Immediate Denture over the gums to protect the area while the patient waits for the Full Denture to be made at a dental lab.
Effervescent cleansers are the most popular immersion cleansers and include alkaline peroxides, perborates and persulphates. Their cleansing action occurs by the formation of small bubbles which displace loosely attached material from the surface of the denture. They are not very effective as cleansers and have a restricted ability to eliminate microbial plaque. Moreover, they are safe for use and do not cause deterioration of the acrylic resin or the metals used in denture construction.[32] Despite this, they are able to cause rapid damage to some short-term soft lining.[36] Discolouration of the acrylic resin to a white denture often occurs, however, this happens because patients do not follow the manufacturer’s instructions and often add very hot water to the cleaning agent.[37][38]
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.
Our office is independently owned and operated, but we have the resources of a national network of implant and denture providers. With our on-site lab, we’re able to deliver same-day results in many cases. We strive to maintain lower rates by avoiding off-site lab needs and relying on our own highly trained technicians. Financing is available for qualified borrowers, and we do accept some insurance plans. If we’re not in your network, then we can provide you with a walk-out statement so you can expedite your own claim.
In 1820, Samuel Stockton, a goldsmith by trade, began manufacturing high-quality porcelain dentures mounted on 18-carat gold plates. Later dentures from the 1850s on were made of Vulcanite, a form of hardened rubber into which porcelain teeth were set. In the 20th century, acrylic resin and other plastics were used.[12] In Britain, sequential Adult Dental Health Surveys revealed that in 1968 79% of those aged 65–74 had no natural teeth; by 1998, this proportion had fallen to 36%.[13]
Occasionally, denture wearers may use adhesives. Adhesives come in many forms: creams, powders, pads/wafers, strips or liquids. If you use one of these products, read the instructions, and use them exactly as directed. Your dentist can recommend appropriate cleansers and adhesives; look for products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Products with the ADA Seal have been evaluated for safety and effectiveness.
