All About Dentures

For many patients, dentures offer a cost-effective option for having a beautifully natural looking smile when replacement teeth are needed for health and aesthetic reasons. In our office, we offer three types of denture solutions:

Full – When all natural teeth are removed, full dentures are placed immediately. These dentures require frequent adjustments during the first few months, and will need to be relined every few years.

Partial – These dentures are attached to a metal frame that is then connected to natural teeth to fill in the gaps of missing natural teeth. Partials are considered a removable alternative to bridges.

“All-on-4” or Implant supported Dentures”  – This denture option utilizes implants surgically placed in the mouth, combined with the fabrication of an implant supported denture.  The implants are used to secure the denture in place and stop it from slipping and popping out of the mouth. “All-on-4” or  implant supported denture treatment vastly improves mouth function, aesthetics, speech, and self-esteem for many patients.

Much like natural teeth, dentures need to be properly cared for. If you have dentures, here are some tips for cleaning and caring for them:

Cleaning:

  • Remove from mouth and run under water (cleaners and toothpaste are too abrasive!)
  • Wet denture brush or regular soft-bristled brush and apply denture cleaner or mild soap
  • Gently brush all surfaces, including under clasps where bacteria collect
  • Do not bend plastic or attachments
  • Rinse dentures well in water before putting back in mouth
  • Clean and massage gums while dentures removed
  • If you have partial dentures, brush natural teeth with soft-bristled brush and floss
  • If toothbrush hurts gums, run under warm water to soften

Care:

  • Remove dentures at night
  • Soak in cleanser in lukewarm water (never use hot water)
  • If cracks in denture are present, be sure to take to the dentist
  • Dentures need relining, as your mouth is always changing
  • Poorly fitted dentures may cause dental sores and make oral cancer hard to spot
  • Broken dentures don’t fit properly and cause irritation to gums and mouth
  • Keep up with your regular 6 month checkups

If you are experiencing any discomfort or pain with your denture, or if you find cracks in the denture, please call us immediately. Of course, if you have any questions about dentures, just give us a call - we’re always here to help!