At first, wearing dentures may require some getting used to in terms of talking and eating, as the dentures become “balanced” in the space formerly occupied by the teeth. But over time, the muscles, nerves and ligaments of the mouth learn to work in new ways, which allows these functions to occur normally. Dentures also help support the facial skeleton and the soft tissues of the lips and cheeks, which can help create a more youthful appearance.
My lower dentures broke in half. What is the cost to repair my dentures?Answer: Dental procedures and costs vary widely based on many factors such as difficulty and the condition of your dentures as well as your bone and gums. The best way to determine fees for service is to visit with your dentist or prosthodontist and discuss the care you may need. The best solution is to return to the dentist or prosthodontist who made your dentures and have the broken denture repaired professionally. It may seem easy to fix, but it is important that the repair is done correctly to prevent problems with chewing and to avoid any sore spots. The doctor also needs to check the denture and adjust it after it’s repaired. There is also a chance that the denture is too old and no longer fit closely to your gums, and you may need a new one. To find a dentist who is a specialist who has extra training in making dentures, visit www.gotoapro.org.Response provided by the American College of Prosthodontists. Back to top
Most partial dentures contain a thin metal framework that is designed to rest close to your gums and allow for a smooth, non-bulky feel. The framework is supported by your natural teeth to provide a reliable, secure appliance that is easy to use. Where teeth are missing, natural-looking replacement teeth are attached to the frame, and gum-colored acrylic is used to make the appliance blend with your mouth. Again, your mouth and your needs are unique, and Dr. Yonan, Scott, Quigley, Fairbanks & Bushnell work with skilled technicians to create a solution that is comfortable and esthetic.
The denture itself is not very good. Again, I fault this due to a low paid lab worker, who is probably texting while he makes the denture. It clearly did not fit properly, too much in one area, too little in another. I am glad that I have had a partial for years and an upper for years, as I know what can be done to alleviate the pressure points. I had to remove material in several spots on the lower edges of the denture, to keep it from bruising my gums.
Olalekan Okunuga, DDS, FICOI, FAAIP, is a general dentist and the practice owner of this South Hill location. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at University of Pacific in San Francisco and completed his post-graduate residency at Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C. Based on many years of valuable dental experience, Dr. Okunuga and his staff are proud to offer professional, compassionate care to patients that visit this practice.
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.
When you are missing one or more teeth, the bite pressures shift in your mouth. Other teeth may begin to move to compensate for the “gap” in your bite, and you may experience shrinking of both the soft tissues and the supporting bone near your missing teeth. This can alter your physical appearance and can lead to subsequent problems with your other teeth. A partial denture keeps the underlying structures of your mouth – your gums, jawbone, facial muscles, etc. – active and engaged. It helps prevent further shifting of the other teeth in your mouth, while giving you the confidence of having a beautiful, complete smile.
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.
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.
