At PaducahDental Care, we are dedicated to helping you keep your teeth healthy. In some cases, a patient may need a partial denture or a full denture. Dentures are appliances that replace missing teeth. All dentures are removable and made to fit your mouth.
A partial denture replaces missing teeth while several natural teeth remain in the mouth. A full denture, standard or immediate, replaces all of your natural teeth. The standard denture is made after extractions and several months of healing. The immediate denture is made before extractions and placed the same day teeth are removed. You never have to go without teeth with an immediate denture.
With each custom made denture, several appointments are scheduled to ensure the denture is made to fit only you.
Appointment procedures
Standard Denture:
Appointment 1:
Impressions.
A series of
impressions are taken. The impressions are used to make a replica of your
mouth.
Appointment 2:
Bite relationship.
At this
appointment, multiple measurements are taken. These measurements include the
center of your smile being set as well as making sure you are not closed or
open too far. The size, shape, and color of your denture teeth are chosen as
well.
Appointment 3:
Wax Try In/ Viewing
During this
appointment, you are able to see what your denture will look like before the
final product. You will be able to try in the wax denture and make any changes
before the denture is sent to be completed.
Appointment 4: Deliver
Denture.
The day has
come for you to receive your custom denture. At this time, the denture is
placed and minor adjustments can be made for fit and comfort. All at home
instruction and tips are given to you as well.
Immediate Dentures
The series
of appointments are the same for an immediate denture up until you reach the
day of delivery.
Appointment 1:
Impression
Appointment 2:
Bite Relationship
Appointment 3:
Was Try In/ Viewing
Appointment 4:
Delivery Denture
On this
day, you receive your denture and remove all remaining teeth. After extractions
are complete, the denture is then seated over the top of the extraction sites
after adjustments are made. The patient is expected to wear the denture until
the following appointment on the next day.
Appointment 5:
Post Op- Next Day Appointment
On this
day, the denture is removed by the dental staff and adjustments are made if
there are any sore spots.
Appointment 6:
Suture Removal
This
appointment is one week from the day the teeth are extracted. During this
appointment, any sutures that were placed during appointment 4 are removed.
Healing is checked and any adjustments needed are made. Multiple adjustments
may be made to relieve sore spots. Temporary liners may be needed to
accommodate the healing process. With an immediate denture, it is necessary to
have a permanent reline to ensure proper fit and many changes may occur during
the healing process. This reline can occur about 6 months after extractions,
depending on the time it takes for complete healing.
What to Expect the First Month
Day 1: Your journey begins. There will be a lot of adjusting
and challenges. Don’t worry! You are not the only one.
Day 2-14: Your mouth is adjusting to dentures. You will
experience differences such as more salivation and you may experience sore
spots. Rinse with warm salt water if soreness continues, adjustments can be
made in our office to help relieve and sore areas. Expect longer healing time
if teeth were just extracted.
Day 15-29: You are still learning how to live with dentures.
Eating and talking with dentures are big changes. The more you wear your
denture, the quicker you will adjust to it.
Day 30: You have made it one month with your denture! Reward
yourself. Remember to visit us regularly for your denture to be checked.
At Home Care and Tips
After you have received your new
denture, you will need to cleanse and care for it at home. Below are some tips
for keeping your denture and mouth clean.
*Clean your denture everyday with a denture brush and denture
cleaner followed by rinsing with warm water.
*NEVER clean your denture with bleach.
*Brush your tongue, gums, and remaining teeth with fluoride
toothpaste and rinse with mouthwash.
*Never adjust your denture yourself. Schedule an
appointment.
* Visit your dentist yearly for cleanings and exams even if
you do not have natural teeth.
* Wear your denture as much as possible.
* Distribute adhesive evenly and remove excess.
*Remove your dentures before going to bed and place them in
a moist environment.
Eating with Dentures
One thing
you look forward to after getting a new denture is eating and enjoying your
favorite foods. Adjusting can be difficult at first, but with a little
practice, you should be eating your favorite foods in no time. There are many
things to remember when eating with dentures. As you adjust to your dentures,
you might have trouble sensing hot foods and drinks. Be careful not to burn
your mouth. A good rule to remember is to start with soft foods and take small
bites. You want to ease your way back into eating what you love. You also want
to distribute food evenly on both sides of your back teeth and chew in an up
and down motion. As a new denture wearer, be confident in yourself. Having a
new denture comes with learning new habits. With the right mindset, you will
conquer each stepping stone you come upon.
Dentures and Implants
Those who
have been wearing dentures for many years, along with those who are new to
wearing dentures, may find it difficult to keep their dentures in place. The
lower denture, or what may be called a floating denture, can be the most
difficult to wear. Many will often lack confidence when speaking and eating
when their denture is not firmly seated in the mouth.
Denture stabilization implants are also known as mini dental implants. They are small
titanium posts that provide a secure fit for a denture. There are also standard
size implants that can be used if there is enough bone to allow proper fit.
With both types of implants they are gently placed into the bone of the upper
or lower jaw. It’s a relatively painless procedure that can be done in little
time and results in a tight fitting denture. The denture is still removable to
allow for proper cleaning of the implants, as well as the gums, tissue, and
tongue. There are many benefits of having implant dentures, including the
ability to eat and speak with confidence. You can eat things you once couldn’t
before and there is no worry of the denture dislodging while speaking. Dentureimplants also eliminate the need for a messy adhesive.
Visit Paducah Dental Care to learn more!
