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Tooth Replacement - Dentures

What are Dentures?

A denture is a removable appliance that replaces some or all missing teeth.

Why do I need them?

• It is important to replace missing teeth in order to ensure proper chewing of food to maintain optimum overall health. Proper fitting dentures can ensure a healthy, youthful appearance as well as provide for proper nutrition.

What are my Options

• Overdenture- a kind of denture that is held in place by existing teeth that can be saved
• Implants – a permanent tooth replacement solution that may be recommended on its own or in conjunction with dentures. xxxlearn more about implantsxxx
• Over time jaw bone loss can occur and cause a traditional denture to become ill fitting. With an overdenture or implant-retained denture bone loss can be significantly slowed.
• We will talk with you to determine the best type of denture for your situation

What happens at my appointment?

• Crafting dentures will take place over several appointments to ensure the best fit and appearance possible.
• To determine if dentures are right for you, first we will perform a thorough exam of your mouth, tissues and any remaining teeth. An exam will typically include x-rays to check the health of your jawbone.
• We will take impressions to make precise models of your mouth, and determine exactly where your lip line should be.
• We will assist you in selecting the most attractive teeth shape and shade for your facial features so your dentures will look completely natural.
• We will send all impressions and models of your mouth to a laboratory where they will custom craft your denture(s) just for you, starting with a wax replica of the final denture, which we call a "wax up".
• You will come back about 1 week after your first appointment to try in the wax up and we will note any changes that need to be made in the fit of the denture or size and shade of teeth. The wax up will be returned to the lab to process the changes. Sometimes we will request an additional wax up be made if extensive changes are made to the first one. If minimal changes are to be made we will ask the lab to create the final denture, which we will receive in roughly 2 weeks.
• Once we receive the final denture we will try it in one last time and make any necessary adjustments to the fit. You will leave the office that day with beautiful, natural looking teeth.

After your Appointment (Post Operative Instructions)

• We will schedule a follow up appointment 1-2 weeks after you get your new denture to give you some time to get used to it and let us know if you need any adjustments to the fit or bite.
• It is vitally important to keep yearly exams with the doctor to ensure the tissues of your mouth stay healthy.
• If at any time you have a sore spot from the denture, call us and we will be happy to adjust it for you right away.
• To protect your denture, avoid chewing on hard objects like ice and using your teeth as tools.
• Brush your tongue, gums, palate and any remaining teeth twice a day to keep them free of plaque.
• We will provide you with a denture brush to clean them with and container to store them in when not in use. You should take your dentures out for at least 8 hours every day to give your tissues a rest. Keeping your dentures and oral tissues clean is very important to be sure to avoid staining, irritation and bad breath.

If you’re missing all upper lower teeth, dentures can be a good way to help you eat, speak more easily and have a natural looking smile. Call us today for more information about tooth replacement options.

Homecare Instructions for Dentures

• Brush your tongue, gums, palate and any remaining teeth twice a day to keep them free of plaque. We will provide you with a denture brush and container to aid you in keeping your denture clean to prevent permanent staining and irritation and bad breath.
• Remove and rinse your denture with cool water after every meal to remove food particles
• Clean your denture over a sink full of water to prevent if from breaking if it is accidentally dropped
• Soak your denture in a denture cleaning solution nightly and after soaking, rinse thoroughly in cool water
• Unless we tell you otherwise, it is important to remove your denture for sleeping or at least 6-8 hours per day
• Store your denture in water or a soaking solution whenever it is out of your mouth so it won’t dry out
• Call us right away if your denture breaks, cracks or chips or if a tooth becomes loose so we can repair it properly for you
• Also call us if your bite feels uneven or your dentures become loose, you have sores, irritation, swelling or discomfort of any kind. We are always happy to help with your questions and concerns.

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