Teeth & Dentures

Conventional Dentures

Case Study

You may have dentures that are severely worn and need replacement or just need an upgrade or a spare set of dentures. Some people require immediate dentures when their natural teeth are beyond salvaging (link immediate dentures) . When dentures are constructed well, they should harmoniously restore a natural appearance to your smile . Read on for things you need to know about having a new set of dentures made.

Early difficulties

It is quite natural to feel a bulkiness early on which may produce nausea. The denture may also feel loose and there may be an increased flow of saliva. If you experience these difficulties, it will help to close the jaws firmly together and swallow. These effects last a short time and are usually soon overcome. Most people speak quite well almost immediately, but if you have any difficulty, practice reading aloud. Don’t expect to look your best as soon as the denture has been inserted. It will take time for the cheeks and lips to adjust and for you to lose your self-consciousness. This applies particularly if you have been wearing old dentures. Your new dentures will restore the correct facial dimensions and in the majority of cases will improve your appearance.

Practice makes perfect

You may find that almost every muscle movement made by the cheeks and the tongue in talking, laughing, chewing and yawning tends to dislodge your denture. In learning to control your denture, it is important to realise that muscle forces are an important means of keeping it in place. Learning to chew needs practice. To begin with, select soft foods, take small mouthfuls, and eat slowly. Surprisingly enough, the softness or hardness of food is not such an important factor as its bulk. Therefore avoid large portions of bulky food and you will manage better. At first, only make small chewing movements, and when biting with the front teeth press the food against the teeth and do not pull the food away as one does with natural teeth.

During this learning period leave the denture in day and night, except for cleaning, until you have become thoroughly accustomed to it. Then you may leave your denture out at night to rest your gums.

How long should a denture last?

Shrinkage of the gums as they heal will naturally result in the denture becoming loose. The time when refitting becomes necessary varies considerably and is an individual problem. Therefore, make sure you have your denture inspected regularly during this period. Much irreparable damage can be done if an immediate denture is worn too long.

Sore spots

Tenderness is often present in early stages. This does not mean that the denture does not fit properly. Some gums do not stand as much pressure as others. If it is an immediate denture, there will more than likely be three to four post operative visits for easing sore spots

If general discomfort is present, perseverance on your part may be all that is necessary.

If there is a definite sore spot causing pain…Do not persevere. Your denture will need some adjustment. Never ease it yourself and risk spoiling the fit. Contact Mackie Dental Specialists to arrange an easement appointment and wear your denture for several hours before visiting us to help us to detect areas that may be causing excess pressure.

Denture service

Your denture is in use for most of the 24 hours every day, and needs regular servicing if it is to function at its best. Jawbones alter in shape throughout your life, which alters your ‘bite’. This may cause a loss of chewing efficiency, loss of appearance, loosening of the denture, and general discomfort of the mouth.

These changes can be rectified, but if left too long become difficult to manage. The rate of change depends on your age, health and varies from person to person. A regular check-up at intervals suggested by Andrew will keep your denture functioning efficiently.

Be encouraged by the fact that the majority of denture wearers have little difficulty in eating and speaking. You too can be a successful denture wearer.

There are a small percentage of people that do not manage with well fitting conventional dentures due to a lack of jaw bone or inability to co-ordinate them well when eating. For these cases we recommend implants are placed to help hold the dentures tightly to your jawbone. This will greatly improve your confidence with eating and speaking. (implant overdenture link)

Denture Hygiene

Cleaning is very important to remove food debris, bacteria and stains that come from some foods and smoking. If not careful the gums may become inflamed and bad breath may develop.

Some suggestions…

Clean after each meal and especially before bed.
Do not immerse the denture in very hot water…this may warp it.
You can use a brush with soap and warm water and hold the denture over a basin containing water to avoid breakage or use a special denture cleaner. Put a facecloth in the basin too, so that if the denture does slip, it won’t break.
Alternatively you can use a specialized denture paste or tablet, which offer convenience and ease of use.
If your denture has no metal parts you can soak it effectively and efficiently in a regular denture cleaner.