Dentures

When you lose some of our teeth their function is carried out by the remaining ones which overburden them and soon they also start to become loose. Also if there is a gap next to a tooth or there is no opposite tooth, there is always some teeth movement going on to close that space. So you end up disturbing the natural teeth alignment and harmony. That is the reason you should go for replacement as early as possible after the tooth loss.

Artificial dentures help enormously in restoring back the function but remember that no artificial replacement can match up to natural dentition. Dentures do have their limitations. In case of complete dentures lower dentures always fall short of expectations as compared to the upper one. This is just because the area of support in the lower jaw for the denture is about half the size of the upper jaw. When you wear dentures for the first time you might feel slight discomfort while speaking or eating or you might develop some ulcers. These findings are absolutely normal. Body takes about 7-14days to adapt to the new dentures. Always remember that the day you get yourdentures is not the last visit to your dentist. When you start using your dentures then only you come to know the main problems you are facing. These minor problems can be easily corrected. This is the reason Implant Supported dentures are preferred.

Yes, Dental Implants  can be used to support permanently cemented bridges, eliminating the need for a denture. The cost is usually greater, but the implants and bridges more closely resemble the feel of real teeth. Dental implants are becoming the alternative to dentures but not everyone is a candidate for implants. 

For a complete denture we normally require 5-6 sittings. 

A preliminary impression of your bone is made in the first sitting. 

In the second sitting the exact location of the borders of the dentures are recorded and final impression is made.

 In the third sitting we record the two jaws to each other so that we can set the teeth accordingly. Also selection of appropriate shade and size of teeth is done (according to your facial profile, age, sex and old photographs). 

In the next sitting we check the temporary denture in your mouth so that if any discrepancy is there we can correct it there and then. 

After the denture delivery you have to come just for minor adjustments.

 Remember you have to remove these dentures at night before sleeping and always keep them in water. Also clean your dentures everyday with denture toothbrush and toothpaste or mild soap solution and denture cleansing tablets (weekly)

New dentures may feel a little odd or loose for a few weeks until the muscles of the cheeks and tongue  learn to keep them in place and you get comfortable inserting and removing them.

Also, it is not unusual for minor irritation or soreness to occur and for saliva flow to increase when you first start wearing dentures, but these problems will diminish as the mouth adjusts.

Dentures are made to closely resemble your natural teeth so there should be no noticeable change in appearance. In fact, dentures may even improve your smile and fill out your facial appearance

Eating with new dentures will take a little practice and may be uncomfortable for some wearers for a few weeks. 

• To get used to the new denture, start with soft foods cut into small pieces. Chew slowly using both sides of your mouth. As you get used to new dentures, add other foods until you return to a normal diet. 
• Be cautious with hot or hard foods and sharp-edged bones or shells. 
• And, avoid foods that are extremely sticky or hard.
• Also, don’t use toothpicks while wearing dentures.

If dentures “click” while you’re talking, contact your dentist. Dentures may occasionally slip when you laugh, cough  or smile. Reposition the dentures by gently biting down and swallowing. If any speaking problem persists, consult your dentist or prosthodontist.

During the first several days after receiving your denture, it may be necessary to wear it most of the time  . Although this may be temporarily uncomfortable, it is the quickest way to identify the areas on the denture that may need adjustment. Once adjustments are made, you should remove dentures before going to bed. This allows gum tissues to rest and allows normal stimulation and cleansing by the tongue and saliva. The denture can be put back in the mouth in the morning.

Implant supported dentures do not require denture adhesive . A denture adhesive may be considered under the following circumstances:

1. To enhance satisfaction with a properly constructed denture. Adhesives enhance retention, stability, bite force, and an individual’s sense of security.
2. To assist individuals with dry mouth conditions that lessen denture adherence, such as individuals taking cold medications , those with neurological disabilities including strokes, and the elderly.
3. To provide added stability and security for those who place unusual demands on facial muscles, such as public speakers or musicians.

1. Q) What are the various materials used in making denture?

1. A) Dentures can be made up of following materials

    1)flexible denture-are made up of modified nylon type of material.they are very light and flexilble to use.they do not require metal clasps to hold onto neighboring teeth

  2) Acrylic denture- they are the normal dentures-still very frequently used and most economical option of teeth replacement.

   3)Cast metal dentures-l.they are quite retentive and stable dentures.

   4)Teeth or implant supported overdenture- these dentures take support either from teeth or from implants and are the most stable and retentive of the lot

1. Q) Are the dentures always removable?
2. A) Most of the times dentures are removable.However we can fix them up in certain cases if they are taking support from implants
3. Q) how to decide whether the old denture requires a change now?

A)A denture takes support both from teeth/implant and jaw bone.So with the time the jaw bone keeps dissolving so your denture should also be changed every 3-5 years.A proper maintenance of the denture and regular check by the dental surgeon really helps in extending the life of the denture

1. Q) Dentures most of the times look very artificial.Are there any dentures which are cosmetically plesasing?

A)These days we have so many advanced options like BPS dentures etc which exactly resemble the natural tissues and are very high on precision and cosmetics