Dentures
Dentures Cheltenham
Dentures are removable dental appliances that can replace missing teeth and help restore your smile.
If you’ve lost all of your teeth, whether from tooth decay, gum disease, or injury, replacing them will benefit your appearance and your overall health.
That’s because dentures make it easier to eat and speak than you can without teeth, and they improve your smile and facial structure as well.
When you lose all your teeth, your facial muscles can sag, making you look older. Dentures Cheltenham can help fill out the appearance of your face and profile.
Dentures look like your natural teeth and should improve the appearance of your smile.
Types of Dentures
There are two types of dentures– complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all the natural teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.
Complete Dentures: Complete dentures are made of a plastic base/gum that is coloured to resemble the gum tissues and supports a full set of replacement teeth.
The conventional complete denture is held in the mouth by forming a seal with the gums.
They can also be placed onto dental implants that are surgically placed in the jawbone. The latter treatment is much more costly than conventional dentures.
Partial Dentures: Partial dentures are more often used, compared to other tooth-replacement methods, when the surrounding natural teeth are not sturdy enough to support structures such as bridges, or when more than one or two teeth are missing.
Partial dentures are fitted to the part of the gumline that they will sit on and fasten to surrounding natural teeth to keep from falling out of place.
They are not permanently attached and can be easily taken out at any time for cleaning and while sleeping.
The Denture-Making Process
The denture-making process takes a few weeks and several appointments.
Once the type of appliance suitable for you is determined, the steps are to:
- Make impressions of your jaw and measure your jaws and the space in between them.
- Create models, wax forms, and/or moulds in the exact shape and position of the denture to be made. You will “try in” this model many times. The denture will be evaluated for colour, shape, and fit before the final denture is fabricated.
- Cast a final denture.
- Adjustments will be made as necessary.
New dentures may feel weird for a few weeks until you get used to them. They may feel loose while your cheek and tongue muscles learn to keep them in place.
It is completely normal to experience minor irritation or pain. You may find that saliva flow increases. Over time, these problems should fade away.
Follow-up appointments are needed after a denture is worn so the fit can be checked and adjusted. In case of problems, like irritation or soreness, be sure to consult your dentist.
At-Home Care for Dentures
Dentures may break when dropped. Always clean your dentures in a bowl of warm water or a folded towel, in case you drop them.
In cleaning your dentures, the general rule is: brush and soak every day. Brush your dentures to help remove any bits of food.
Use a non-abrasive denture cleaner, not toothpaste. Be careful not to scrub too hard. This may cause grooves in the surface.
Do not forget to brush the inner surfaces. This is especially important if you use denture adhesives.
Soak your dentures in a denture-cleaning solution every day. This will help remove any plaque and stubborn stains. It will also help disinfect your dentures, leaving them feeling fresher.
Don’t wear your dentures overnight unless there are specific reasons for you to keep them in.
If you notice stain build-up, have your denture cleaned by your dental team.
If you are still unsure whether or not dentures are right for you, or if you have other questions or concerns, visit your dentist to discuss the right path for you.
Dentures at Captivate Dental in Cheltenham
For more information on dentures call us on (03) 9553 1249, or use our convenient online booking page.
We are located at 36 Chesterville Road in Cheltenham.