Overall, most tooth loss is the result of late-stage oral disease, extreme cavities, or other damage to the teeth or bone tissue. DentalWorks – Durham has many services to help restore your smile, and traditional dentures are among the most recommended options available to our Durham, NC patients. Dentures are artificial teeth and gums that are formed to your mouth. They are created to replace lost or extracted natural teeth. Dentures can be either full or partial, depending on how many teeth need to be replaced. Regardless of the type of dentures you choose, they are always custom made to fit your mouth and to match your existing natural teeth.
WHAT ARE DENTURES MADE OF?
Modern dentures are created with a durable resin, meaning they are longer lasting than they used to be. Even so, it is important to note that dentures are still much more fragile than real teeth and can chip and crack. Because of this, a new set of dentures is needed about every five years. The support of dentures that holds the teeth in place is also made of a similar resin material or a flexible polymer material that fits snugly in place on your natural gumline.
BENEFITS OF WEARING DENTURES
Getting dentures can greatly enhance the aesthetics of the smile and maintain the integral structure of the bone tissue. They also make eating food that requires a lot of chewing easier. Dentures are a great solution to replace teeth that may be causing you pain or other oral health issues such as diseased roots. At DentalWorks – Durham, we often recommend dentures to restore our patients’ smiles.
THE PROCESS OF GETTING DENTURES
If you decide to get dentures, our Durham, NC restoration specialists adhere to a number of routine steps to rejuvenate your smile. They include:
Preparing your mouth, whether extracting teeth, giving a routine cleaning, or filing down the natural teeth
After your mouth is ready, taking digital x-rays that are sent to a dental lab to create your custom dentures
Providing a temporary set of dentures to wear while the permanent set is being made
Placing the custom dentures in your mouth and adjusting them as needed for the most secure fit
Follow-up appointments are also scheduled to determine whether or not your dentures are working their best for you.
EATING WITH DENTURES
Most patients will need an adjustment period to get comfortable with their new teeth. They should enable you eat as you did before, though it may take a few weeks to learn how. It is recommended to use a small amount of denture adhesive to stabilize your dentures and help keep them in place while learning how to eat comfortably.
HOW TO CLEAN DENTURES
kind of dentures you have have to be brushed after meals and before bed, just as with natural teeth. Debris can build up on your dentures and damage your existing teeth and gums. To clean your dentures properly, remove them from your mouth and run clean water over them to rinse off any existing food particles. Next, brush the dentures with a mild soap or denture cleaner. Never use regular toothpaste or an electric toothbrush to wash your dentures. They are too abrasive and can damage them. After thoroughly cleaning your dentures, rinse them well. Clean your gums and any other natural teeth with a soft toothbrush.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR DENTURES LAST
You should take out your dentures every night to prevent damaging or misplacing them while you’re resting. Taking them out also allows your gums and bones a chance to relax from the pressure of wearing the dentures throughout the day. Always submerge your dentures in warm water (never hot) to keep them from drying out. Use a denture soaking solution if your dentures don’t have metal components, as the solution can easily tarnish the metal.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTURES
DentalWorks – Durham would love to offer personal advice for patients who are unsure if dentures are their optimal option. After a thorough dental examination, our professional team can help you to decide which tooth replacement option will work best for your smile goals. If you’re having trouble speaking or chewing and want to restore the function and appearance of your smile, dentures are a great option. They are created to match your mouth and facial structure in order to give you the best possible fit. Call our dental office today in Durham, NC to schedule your denture consultation appointment.
To help your dentures last, follow these tips:
Clean your dentures daily, just like you would your natural teeth. Bacteria, tartar, and plaque can buildup on dentures and damage your teeth and gums.
To effectively clean your dentures, remove them from your mouth and run clean water over them to rinse off any food particles.
Use a denture brush with a mild soap or denture cleaner to clean them. Never use regular toothpaste as it is too abrasive. Rinse them well after cleaning.
Clean your gums and natural teeth with a soft toothbrush twice a day.
Always remove your dentures before going to sleep. This helps to avoid them dislodging while you are asleep or causing any damage through clenching or grinding of the jaw.
Submerge your dentures in warm water to keep them from drying out overnight.
For dentures without metal components, use a denture-soaking solution to clean them effectively.
