Dentures

Dentures at Chase Side Dental – restoring confidence and function in your smile.

A comfortable denture fits snugly over gums and replaces missing teeth, counteracting the problems of missing teeth, including difficulty eating and speaking, unwanted movement of existing teeth, and facial sagging.

Denture Facts

Dentures are made from plastic or metal.

• A ‘full’ denture is one that replaces all the natural teeth in either the upper or lower jaws.
• A ‘partial’ denture fills in the spaces left by a few lost or missing teeth. It may be all plastic or a mixture of metal and plastic.
• Both metal and plastic dentures may have clips (clasps), to help keep the denture in place in the mouth. Depending on where they are, some of these clips may show when you smile or open your mouth.
• Plastic partial dentures are less expensive to make and can be added to in the future.
• Dentures, instead of crowns and bridges, need to be taken out every day to be cleaned.
• Dentures and teeth should be cleaned after every meal and at night.
• Each appointment is approximately one week apart and takes 4-6 weeks to complete treatment.

Chrome Dentures

Metal partial dentures are usually made from an alloy of cobalt and chromium and they are much stronger. They are lighter to wear and can be supported by the remaining teeth. Although the base is metal, they have gum-­coloured plastic and natural-looking teeth fixed to them. They are more expensive than plastic ones, but also stronger. Your dentist will advise which your best option is.

Immediate Dentures

It is possible to get dentures as soon as your teeth are removed. These are referred to as ‘immediate dentures’. An impression of your mouth is taken to create the denture prior to the tooth extraction.

Immediate dentures mean that you don’t need to be without teeth during the healing process. Nevertheless, it is natural for the bone and gums to shrink, especially during the first six months after your teeth are removed. If your gums shrink, your immediate dentures will need relining or adjusting initially and remaking after 6 months.

In some cases, you may be advised by your dentist to wait until your gums are healed before having your dentures made. In this case we recommend waiting a minimum of 3-6 months after your extraction(s) before having a new denture made.

Caring for you

When having a new denture it is normal to find speaking and eating a little tricky. We recommend cutting food into smaller pieces and chewing slowly to get used to the feeling of your dentures. Reading out loud at home will help you to adjust any initial speech impediments quickly and discreetly.

Although dentures may replace some or even all of your missing teeth, it is still essential to maintain regular appointments with your dentist. Over time dentures may become worn or loose fitting and may need to be replaced or relined. Our friendly team will keep track of your gum health as well as the fit and condition of your dentures to ensure that your bite and comfort is optimal.

Caring for your dentures

It is also essential to keep your dentures clean to prevent stains and prevent damage to your gums and teeth.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when living with dentures:

• Never use toothpaste to clean dentures as it is abrasive. We recommend using regular dishwashing soap before soaking to remove debris. Use a new toothbrush that has not had toothpaste on it for cleaning your dentures.
• Never use denture cleaning products containing bleach. This can cause blanching and deterioration of metal clasps.
• Do not use hot water to clean dentures – it may cause mild warping.
• Keep your dentures moist. When not wearing dentures, they should be kept in clean, room-temperature water.
• Remove your dentures overnight. This helps to keep gums healthy and aids in preventing fungal infections.
• Always clean your dentures over a full sink – to prevent them from breaking if accidentally dropped.
• Disinfect dentures 2-3 times per week with a cleaner recommended by your dentist.