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Life with Dentures

16621747_denture_r1_c1Adjusting to new dentures

Now that you have your new dentures, here are some suggestions for living comfortably with them.
Some temporary problems are a normal part of adjusting to new dentures. However, with time and practice, you will make the adjustment to dentures and be eating and talking with confidence.

Regular dental visits

Plan on regular visits to our office so we can monitor the health of your mouth and the fit of your denture.
We will also let you know when it is time to adjust, reline, or replace your denture.

When to call us

Call us if your bite feels uneven, your dentures become loose, you have persistent discomfort, you have any gagging that persists beyond the initial adjustment period, or if you have any questions or concerns.

Chewing and eating

For the first few months, while you are learning to chew with your denture, start with soft foods, then gradually add more variety. Continue to eat a healthy diet, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, and proteins. To make this easier, cut your food into small bites.

Bite into foods with the side teeth, not the front teeth. If your denture tips when you chew, try keeping some food on both sides of your mouth to help balance the denture.

Occasionally, small pieces of food will work their way under your denture while you eat. Simply remove your denture and rinse it with water. To protect your denture, avoid chewing ice or other hard objects.

Speaking and staying comfortable

You may have difficulty speaking for a short while. If this happens, practice by reading aloud in front of a mirror until you are comfortable. You can also try speaking more slowly and quietly.

While your mouth gets used to the new denture, it may seem bulky, you may notice increased salivary flow, and your tongue will feel crowded. These sensations should pass with time. An upper denture causes some people to gag. Call us if this continues beyond the initial adjustment period.

Cleaning and using adhesives

Clean your mouth and denture daily. We will give you complete instructions.

Denture adhesives are often not necessary with dentures that fit well. If you would like to try one, ask us about the best kind for your situation. If you do choose an adhesive, it is important to apply it to clean dentures and to thoroughly remove it every day.

Dentures Issues

Some people believe that their dental problems will be over if they simply have their teeth removed and replaced with dentures. Instead, as most denture wearers will tell you, getting dentures can mark the beginning of many new problems.

Problems with eating

Eating can take much longer because you can apply only about 15% to 20% of normal force when chewing with dentures.
They also make many foods more difficult to eat. This is particularly true for fruits and vegetables, which are crucial for your overall health.
Tasting food can be more difficult, too, especially with upper dentures, which cover the taste buds on the roof of your mouth.

Gagging and sore spots

Gagging can be a problem with upper dentures. Some people with an active gag reflex find them impossible to wear.
Sore spots can also develop because the tissues in the mouth were never made to have plastic continually rubbing against them.

Problems associated with shrinking jawbone

The most serious problem is the loss of jawbone. When teeth are missing, the jawbone does not get the stimulation it needs from chewing, and the bone begins to shrink. This causes the denture to become loose and floppy. After a few months, the denture will have to be relined, and every few years, it will need to be remade completely to keep it fitting properly.

This is a particular problem with lower dentures. The base for the denture is smaller to begin with, and as the loss of bone flattens the jaw, there is very little to hold it in place. Even worse, the shrinkage can expose nerves that pass through the lower jaw, so the jaw hurts and can go numb every time you bite down.

The loss of jawbone also changes your appearance. Your nose gets closer to your chin and your lips collapse. This causes wrinkles, gives you less lip support, and makes you look older.

The expense of dentures

When you add up all of the costs, dentures can end up being more expensive than treatment to save your natural teeth. The cost of dentures includes those for removing teeth, making the dentures, and periodic relines and remakes.

For all these reasons, we recommend that you choose treatment to save your natural teeth. You will look better, feel better, enjoy your food more, and have more confidence.

Partials

A partial denture is held in place by clasps or special attachments. Depending on the type of partial, the supporting teeth require only minimal preparation, and the partial is removable for sleeping and easier cleaning. When many teeth in your upper or lower arch are missing, a partial denture is a treatment option for replacing them. Conventional partials are removable appliances that are held in place by clasps that fit around some of the remaining teeth. With proper home care and regular adjustments and relines, your partial denture can provide a functional bite and natural-looking smile.

The process of making a partial denture varies in each case, and it usually involves a series of appointments. The first step is to shape the supporting teeth. Next, we take impressions of your mouth, including the prepared teeth. An accurate model of your mouth is made from these impressions, and the lab uses this model to create the denture framework. In some cases, a wax rim in mounted on the framework for you to try in. This helps confirm the correct relationship between the upper and lower teeth. After the try in, the lab creates a wax-up, which is a wax replica of the final denture. Depending on the circumstances, we may have you try in the wax-up, and we note any changes to the fit and to the color, shape and placement of the teeth. We send the wax-up back to the lab, and they process it to create the final partial denture. When the partial is ready, you try it in, and we make any necessary adjustments here in the office.

If you're thinking of delaying treatment, you should know that when missing teeth are not replaced, the surrounding teeth can shift, causing a variety of dental problems. In addition, the jawbone will continue to shrink, making future treatment more complex and changing your appearance. Without treatment, speaking and eating properly can become increasingly difficult.