Dentures
What are dentures?
Step by Step: Making a Denture
1. Initial Consultation and Impressions: We’ll begin by examining your mouth and discussing your needs (full denture or partial, immediate denture after extractions, etc.). If you have remaining teeth that are unhealthy, an extraction plan will be made. The first clinical step is usually taking preliminary impressions of your gums (and any remaining teeth) using a soft putty-like material in trays. These impressions create models that the lab uses to make custom trays for better final impressions.
2. Final Impressions: Using custom-fit trays, we take a more precise impression of your ridges (and remaining teeth if partial). We might use a light-body impression material to capture fine details. These final models will be the basis for creating the dentures, so we aim for accuracy to ensure a good fit.
3. Bite Registration and Shade Selection: For full dentures, we need to determine how your jaws relate (your bite). We use wax rims placed in your mouth to simulate the position of teeth, then adjust them so that when you bite, the relationship is correct (this records your vertical dimension and how the upper and lower dentures should meet). We also record where your lips fall, smile line, etc., and choose the color and shape of the denture teeth. You can give input on the shade (we typically match to a natural white that isn’t too bright unless you request otherwise) and general tooth appearance. For partial dentures, bite may be recorded with your remaining teeth.
4. Try-in (Wax Try-In): The lab will set up the selected teeth in wax on a baseplate that fits your gums. We will try this wax denture in your mouth before it’s finalized. This allows us to check fit, bite, and aesthetics. You’ll be able to see how the teeth look and we can still make changes (like adjusting tooth position, checking your smile, making sure you can speak properly, etc.). This step is crucial to ensure you’ll be happy with the final outcome. If something looks or feels off, we send it back for adjustments in wax. For immediate dentures (placed same day as extractions), a wax try-in might not be possible for the exact fit, but we often use esthetic try-ins or existing teeth as guides.
5. Delivery of Dentures: Once everything is approved at the try-in stage, the lab will finish the dentures (processing the acrylic so that the teeth are permanently set and the base is polished). At the delivery appointment, we’ll place the dentures in your mouth, ensure they fit, and check that your bite is correct and even. We will likely need to do some adjustments to the acrylic bases to relieve any tight spots or pressure points on your gums. We’ll also review how to insert and remove them properly. If it’s a partial, we will adjust the metal clasps for good retention.
6. Adjustments and Follow-ups: It’s normal to need a few follow-up visits after getting new dentures. As you begin wearing them at home, you may develop sore spots or find certain areas rub your gums. We will adjust those areas to make the denture more comfortable. Typically, a 24-hour follow-up and a one-week follow-up are scheduled (especially for full dentures or immediate dentures) to address any issues.
Benefits of a Denture
– Restores Ability to Eat and Speak: Dentures give you back a functional bite, allowing you to chew a much wider variety of foods than you could without teeth. While they are not as efficient as natural teeth or implants, with practice you can enjoy fruits, vegetables, and many foods that would otherwise be impossible to eat with no teeth. Speech also improves – teeth are important for certain sounds, and dentures help support your lips and cheeks for clearer pronunciation.
– Improves Appearance and Confidence: Missing multiple teeth can affect your facial appearance – cheeks may look hollow, lips fold in, or face appears sunken. Dentures support the facial muscles and give volume where teeth used to be, which can make you look younger and more like your old self. A well-crafted denture provides a natural-looking smile, often much better than the appearance with missing teeth. Patients often feel more confident socially when they have a full smile again.
– Affordable Dental Care Option: Dentures (especially partials) are generally more affordable than implants or complex bridgework, making them a common solution for those looking for affordable dental care to replace multiple missing teeth. They provide a cost-effective way to restore function and aesthetics. Additionally, many insurance plans cover dentures to some extent. Maintenance costs (like periodic relines) are relatively low compared to ongoing implant care.
– Customizable and Non-Invasive: Dentures can be made relatively quickly (weeks rather than months) and do not require surgery (unless extractions are needed). They can be a good option if you cannot undergo implant surgery due to medical reasons. They are also adjustable – if over time your jaw changes, dentures can be relined or remade to adapt to your mouth. For partials, if you lose another tooth later, sometimes a tooth can be added to the appliance.
– Easy to Clean and Repair: Since dentures are removable, cleaning them is straightforward – you brush them and soak them outside of your mouth, which can be easier for some patients (no tricky flossing between teeth, etc.). If a denture breaks or a tooth pops off, it’s usually repairable by a lab or sometimes in- office, often within a day. This means dentures can be maintained or fixed without needing invasive procedures on your actual mouth in many cases.
Downsides of a Denture
– Adjustment Period / Fit Issues: Getting used to dentures takes time and patience. Initially, they may feel bulky, and your mouth might produce more saliva. It can take several weeks to learn to eat and speak well with new dentures. You may experience some sore spots on your gums as the denture rubs – this is very common and expected, and we will adjust the denture as needed. Full lower dentures are especially prone to feeling loose or uncomfortable at first because they rely solely on tongue and muscle control to stay in place (they have less suction than uppers). Some people adapt quickly, others take longer. It’s important to keep follow-up appointments to fine-tune the fit.
– Reduced Bite Force: Dentures do not fully replicate the power of natural teeth or implants. With full dentures, your bite force might be about 20-25% of natural teeth. This means you will have to modify your diet somewhat – extremely hard or sticky foods might remain difficult (for example, biting directly into an apple or corn on the cob could dislodge a denture, but you could cut them up to eat). You’ll learn to chew on both sides simultaneously to stabilize the denture. Some patients feel frustrated initially by these limitations, but most learn to manage and find a satisfying diet with a bit of care.
– Potential for Looseness or Slippage: Even a well-fitting denture can sometimes slip, especially the lower. When you sneeze, laugh hard, or yawn, a denture might become dislodged slightly. Using a denture adhesive can improve stability for some patients, particularly in the lower denture or if the ridges (gums) are shallow. Over time, your jawbone may change and dentures that once fit snugly could become loose. This is normal because without teeth, the bone ridge tends to shrink. This may necessitate a reline (adding material to the inside of the denture to improve the fit) every few years, or even a new denture after several years. We will monitor the fit at your check-ups.
– Sore Spots and Ulcers: As mentioned, dentures can create pressure points on the gums. If unaddressed, these can turn into painful ulcers. It’s important to have adjustments done – don’t “tough it out” if something hurts. Never attempt to adjust a denture at home (like using a knife or sandpaper on it) as you may damage it or ruin the fit. Our office will do these adjustments quickly and effectively.
– Impact on Taste and Temperature (Upper Denture): A full upper denture covers the palate (roof of your mouth) with a layer of acrylic. This can dull some taste sensation and your perception of food temperature. It’s usually minor, but some people notice they can’t taste subtle flavors as well until they adjust. Additionally, the covered palate might trigger a gag reflex in a small number of patients; we work with you on the design to minimize that (for instance, sometimes we can trim it back if your anatomy allows). Gagging usually subsides as you get used to the denture, but if it persists, let us know.
– Clasp Pressure (Partials): If you have a partial denture, the metal clasps that hook around some teeth may cause those teeth to feel pressure or slight soreness at first. Well-designed clasps balance the forces, but if a clasp is too tight, we can loosen it a bit. Over years, clasped teeth must be maintained carefully as they bear extra stress. Good oral hygiene around them is important to prevent decay in those areas. There’s a minor risk that a clasp could contribute to wear or loosening of a natural tooth or filling if not monitored – we will check the anchor teeth at your exams. Also, partial dentures with metal frameworks can sometimes rub or irritate the tongue or cheek initially; adjustments will help this.
Alternatives to a Denture
– Implant-Supported Dentures: If you desire more stability, implants can be used in combination with dentures. For example, as few as 2 implants in the lower jaw can anchor a denture (using snaps or attachments) so it doesn’t float around – this is called an overdenture. More implants (like 4) can even support a fixed bridge (“All-on-4” concept) that isn’t removed daily. While implants add cost and require surgery, they dramatically improve denture retention and chewing ability. This could be something to consider now or in the future if you find traditional dentures challenging. We can discuss options for implant-retained dentures if you’re interested in a more secure solution.
– Fixed Bridges or Implants for Partials: If you only have a few missing teeth, instead of a partial denture, one could opt for a fixed bridge or implant(s) to fill the gaps. For instance, if you’re missing three teeth in a row, an implant bridge could replace them without a removable appliance. These alternatives tend to be more expensive and require sufficient dental health and bone support. Partials are usually chosen for cost-effectiveness or if the pattern of missing teeth doesn’t easily allow fixed solutions. We will have reviewed these options with you when discussing your treatment plan.
– No Treatment: If you have missing teeth, you could elect not to replace them. However, this comes with significant compromises in function, aesthetics, and oral health (teeth shifting, bite collapse, nutritional impact due to limited diet, etc.). If you are currently edentulous (no teeth) and considering no dentures, note that prolonged lack of teeth can accelerate bone loss and make the face appear sunken. Most patients prefer to have at least a basic denture to improve quality of life. Thus, doing nothing is generally not advisable for multiple missing teeth, but the choice is yours and we respect your autonomy. If you initially try without and later want dentures, the option remains open (though best to do sooner to maintain bone).
How to Take Care of your Denture
– Initial Wearing Period: When you first get your dentures, we often advise to wear them for a certain period and even keep them in for the first 24 hours (including overnight) before the first follow-up. This helps us identify pressure spots when you come in – we can see the sore areas and adjust accordingly. After the initial adjustment, it is usually recommended to remove dentures at night to let your gum tissues rest and to prevent fungal infections (like denture sore mouth). So, in general: wear them during the day, take them out at night. If removing at night, keep them in water or denture solution so they don’t dry out (drying can warp them).
– Oral Hygiene (Mouth and Denture): Even without teeth, you must care for your mouth. Clean your gums, tongue, and palate every morning and night with a soft toothbrush or moist cloth. This removes plaque and stimulates circulation in the tissues. For partial denture wearers, be extra diligent cleaning your remaining teeth (brush 2x/day, floss daily) – those teeth are precious and support the partial, so keep them healthy.
Clean your dentures daily: brush them with a denture brush and mild soap or denture toothpaste (regular toothpaste is too abrasive for denture acrylic). Rinse them well. Also rinse your mouth after meals. It’s wise to clean dentures over a sink filled with water or a towel, so if you accidentally drop them, they won’t crack.
Denture Soaking: Dentures should be kept moist. Ideally, soak them in water or a denture cleaning solution whenever they are out of your mouth (typically overnight). You can use effervescent tablets like Polident or Efferdent a few times a week to help clean and freshen them, but daily soaking in plain water works too. If you notice any stain or calculus buildup on the dentures, bring them in – we have professional cleaners that can remove tough stains. Do not use bleach (it can whiten the pink acrylic oddly and corrode metal) and avoid hot water (it can warp the denture).
– Adhesive Use: Give yourself time to adapt to the denture fit before resorting to adhesives. If after adjustments you still want more stability, you can use denture adhesives (cream or powder) sparingly. Apply as directed – usually a few dabs for cream (not too much, or it oozes). Adhesive can improve confidence but shouldn’t be used to mask an ill-fitting denture – if your denture is very loose, see us for a reline or check- up. If you use adhesive, clean the denture and your gums thoroughly each day to remove the residue.
– Dietary Tips: Start with softer foods cut into small pieces. As you get comfortable, introduce more variety. Chew on both sides to balance the denture. Be cautious with very hot foods and drinks until you’re used to the insulation effect of dentures (especially hot liquids with an upper denture). You may want to avoid extremely hard or sticky foods: for example, hard nuts, peanut brittle, chewy candies, and gum can be problematic. Apples or carrots should be sliced or cooked until you master biting with dentures. Over time, many patients return to a fairly normal diet, but it’s a learning process.
– Speaking: At first, you might have slight difficulty or a lisp with certain words. Practice reading aloud or speaking in front of a mirror. If your dentures click or move when talking, slow down and practice enunciating. Your tongue and muscles will adapt. In a few weeks, you’ll likely speak just as clearly as before. If certain sounds (“s” or “f” sounds) consistently give trouble, let us know – occasionally small adjustments to the tooth position can help.
– Regular Check-ups: Visit us at least annually (or as directed) even if you have no natural teeth. We will examine your oral tissues for changes or signs of irritation, check the fit of your dentures, and do an oral cancer screening. Dentures may need a reline every few years as your gums and bone remodel. A reline refits the inside of the denture to your current gum shape, improving comfort and fit. Over time (5-10 years), you may need a new denture made, as acrylic and teeth wear down and your jaw structure changes.
We’ll guide you when that time comes. Never try to fix or adjust a denture yourself – we are here to help maintain it. Also, please contact us if your denture ever cracks or if a tooth breaks off; keep any pieces and bring them in. Repairs are often possible in a short time.