Dentures

by Fremont Dentist Jaspreet Harika DDS.

Dentures are custom-made appliances used to replace missing teeth and can be taken out and put back into your mouth.

If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from gum disease, tooth decay or injury, replacing missing teeth with dentures will benefit your appearance and your health. Plus, they can help restore your smile.

Why are dentures needed ?

Most people often take their teeth for granted, until the teeth are lost due to various reasons. When you lose all of your teeth, facial muscles can sag, making you look older. It also becomes difficult to chew food without the teeth in your mouth. Dentures make it easier to eat and speak better than you could without teeth. They can help fill out the appearance of your face and profile. Dentures can be made to closely resemble your natural teeth so that your appearance does not change much. They may even improve the look of your smile.

Types of dentures:

• Conventional Dentures. This full removable denture is made and placed in your mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed, which may take several months.

• Immediate Dentures. This removable appliance is inserted on the same day that the remaining teeth are removed. You don’t have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums shrink over time, especially during the healing period following tooth removal. Therefore a disadvantage of immediate dentures is that they require more adjustments to fit properly during the healing process and generally should only be considered a temporary solution until conventional dentures can be made.

• Overdenture. Sometimes some of your teeth can be saved to preserve your jawbone and provide stability and support for the denture. An overdenture fits over a small number of remaining natural teeth after they have been prepared by your dentist.

• Implant Supported Denture. This is a type of overdenture that is supported by and attached to dental implants. A regular denture rests on the gums, and is not supported by implants. An implant supported denture has special attachments that snap onto attachments on the implants. Therefore the appliance is secured and held in place. This type of appliance is used when a person doesn’t have any teeth in the jaw, but there is enough bone in the jaw to support dental implants. Implant supported dentures are specifically beneficial for the lower jaw because regular dentures tend to be less stable there. However, you can receive them in either the upper or lower jaw.

How are dentures made?

The denture development process takes a few weeks and several appointments. Once your dentist determines what type of appliance is best for you, the general steps are to:

1. Make a series of impressions of your jaw and take measurements of how your jaws relate to one another and how much space is between them.
2. The impressions are sent to a dental lab to Create models, wax forms, and/or plastic patterns in the exact shape and position of the denture to be made.
3. You will “try in” this model several times and the denture will be assessed for color, shape, and fit before the final denture is cast.
4. The dental lab makes a final denture.
5. The denture is delivered to you. Adjustments are made as necessary.

Will Dentures Make Me Look Different?

Dentures are made to closely resemble your natural teeth so there should be only a small noticeable change in appearance. In fact, they may even improve your smile and fill out your facial appearance. Each individual has unique characteristics that need to be evaluated in order for their set of teeth to look and feel natural. At Bay Smile Dental, we analyze each patient’s mouth and facial dimensions individually. This helps us choose the tooth shape that makes men’s teeth more masculine and women’s teeth more feminine. The natural differences in tooth shape and placement are carefully chosen for each individual, based on aesthetics.

Comfort is also important. Many factors contribute to the comfort and fit of the appliance. The condition of the tissues in the mouth; the condition of the bone structure in the mouth; as well the shape and size of the mouth all play an important part. Dr. Harika carefully evaluates each patient and then can create dentures that are as secure and comfortable in the mouth as possible.

Will Eating With New Dentures Be Difficult?

Eating with new dentures always takes a little practice and it might be uncomfortable for some wearers for a few weeks.

A few helpful tips: In order to get used to the appliance, start with soft foods. Chew slowly using both sides of your mouth. As you get used to new dentures, add other foods until you return to a normal diet.

Things to avoid: Be cautious with hot or hard foods and sharp-edged bones or shells. And, avoid foods that are extremely sticky or hard. You should also avoid chewing gum while you wear the denture. Tooth picks should not be used.

Will Dentures affect the way I Speak?

After you get your new dentures, you may have difficulty pronouncing certain words. This happens because your tongue needs to adjust to the new appliance. Practice by saying the difficult words out loud. With practice and with time your speech will adjust and you will be able to pronounce the words correctly.

If you feel or hear a “click” while you’re talking, contact your dentist. Dentures may occasionally slip when you laugh, cough, or smile. Re-position them by gently biting down and swallowing. If any speaking problem persists, consult your dentist.

Will my dental insurance plan cover the Cost of my Dentures?

Most dental insurance providers cover some or all of the cost of dentures. Our staff will contact your insurance company to find out the specifics of what is covered under your dental insurance plan.

How do I take care of my dentures ?

“Like your teeth, your dentures should be brushed daily to remove food particles and plaque. Brushing also can help keep the teeth from staining” 

• Don’t let dentures dry out – place them in a cleanser soaking solution or in plain water when you’re not wearing them. Never use hot water, which can cause them to twist or deform.
• Brush your dentures daily – This will remove food and plaque, and help prevent them from becoming stained. Rinse them before brushing to remove any loose food or debris. Use a soft bristle toothbrush and a non-abrasive cleanser to gently brush all the surfaces of the dentures so they don’t get scratched.
• Take care of your mouth – brush your gums, tongue and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert dentures. This stimulates circulation in your tissues and helps remove plaque.When brushing, clean your mouth thoroughly—including your gums, cheeks, roof of your mouth and tongue to remove any plaque. This can help reduce the risk of oral irritation and bad breath.
• Store safely– When you’re not wearing your dentures, put them in a safe place covered in water to keep them from warping.
• Denture Adhesives – Adhesives might be used occasionally. Adhesives come in many forms: creams, powders, pads/wafers, strips or liquids. If you use one of these products, read the instructions, and use them exactly as directed. Your dentist can recommend appropriate cleansers and adhesives; look for products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Products with the ADA Seal have been evaluated for safety and effectiveness.
• Consult your dentist – see your dentist if dentures break, chip, crack or become loose. Don’t be tempted to adjust them yourself — this can damage them beyond repair.

Fremont Dentist Dr. Jaspreet Harika DDS is an experienced dentist serving Fremont, Newark CA, Union City, Hayward, Milpitas and surrounding areas. Practicing general and cosmetic dentistry. Call 510.284.2511 to make an appointment or  Book Online Now !