Dentures

Dentures and partial dentures are most commonly associated with seniors, but many young people wear them too. According to the CDC, adult tooth loss has been on the decline for roughly 70 years. Even so, many Americans rely on dentures to improve not just their smiles but also their speech and ability to chew food comfortably. Dentures and partial dentures fill any tooth loss gaps with false teeth.

Dentures and partial dentures are available at Woodside Dental Care in Queens and the surrounding area. We offer a range of tooth replacement options.

If you are ready to learn more about the available options, reach out to us by phone at (718) 682-7559.

Dentures Can Help Prevent Further Oral Health Issues

The purpose of dental care and oral hygiene is to prevent tooth loss as much as possible. However, there are cases in which tooth loss is unavoidable. When an infection advances to later stages or begins to spread, tooth extraction may become the only option. If a tooth falls out on its own or is knocked out, there is a chance the empty socket can cause the other teeth to begin to shift.

The doctor can help restore missing teeth with dentures or partial dentures. By ensuring there are no more traces of infection in the mouth, dentures can help to prevent the spread of further contamination to the mouth or jaw. Even with dentures, patients will want to continue an oral hygiene routine that involves keeping the gums and mouth clean.

With partial dentures or at least several natural teeth still in the mouth, it is essential to keep up regular oral hygiene methods, including:

• Daily brushing. As soon as teeth emerge in a child’s mouth, it is vital to brush regularly. It is wise to brush at least twice daily through one’s entire life.
• Consistent flossing. Daily flossing will remove food from between teeth. Doing this will keep bacteria from growing on the gums and beneath the teeth.
• Regular visits to the dentist. Patients should visit our dental staff at least once every six months. More frequent visits may be necessary for restorative care.

Other Benefits

While dentures and partial dentures may not be for everyone, they can help people experience the satisfaction of a full smile and eating favorite foods again. Dentures closely resemble natural teeth. We will make sure the artificial teeth match the color of any remaining real teeth. Dentures can also give a person’s cheeks a more defined shape and appearance.

Full Dentures

When to Get Complete Dentures

Everyone should be able to enjoy a comfortable use of their mouth and a bright smile. Going through life without teeth may cause unnecessary hardships. Missing teeth can complicate regular activities such as eating, speaking, and even socializing. Fortunately, dentures can solve this concern. If a patient has lost all teeth, or if a dental professional has pulled them all, the person should consider full dentures. At Woodside Dental Care, we can customize the right set of dentures to fit in the person's mouth and provide a natural-looking solution.

Getting Full Dentures

Our team will first discuss the benefits and challenges of wearing both dentures and partial dentures. When the patient is ready to begin the procedure for dentures, X-rays and impressions of the person's mouth will need to be made. There will also be a review of the patient's health history, including current medications and recent surgeries. The impressions will go to a lab where a technician makes the full dentures.

The patient will get the apparatus at the following appointment. During this appointment, the doctor will remove any remaining teeth that need to come out, though this can also be done at a prior date. The dental professional will test the dentures to make sure everything fits properly, and the patient feels comfortable with the dentures in the mouth. The dentist may need to make additional adjustments. Be aware, some kinds of dentures can be ready for fitting right after removing teeth, while others require a patient's gums to be completely healed.

Partial Dentures

When to Get Partial Dentures

As discussed in an article by the Oral Health Foundation, there are key differences between full and partial dentures. Partial dentures are ideal for patients who have lost multiple teeth but still have healthy natural teeth remaining. This option may also be a wise one for a patient who has several decaying teeth that need to be extracted to prevent the spread of infection and other dental problems. This procedure may also be the right option for patients who are concerned about the cost. Although prices can vary depending on insurance, partial dentures can be an affordable tooth replacement option. Patients worried about pain from a dental procedure may feel eased, knowing that the process is often less invasive than other replacement options.

Getting Partial Dentures

The process of getting partial dentures is similar, though the apparatus itself has some differences. Partial dentures are connected by a metal framework to secure them in the person's mouth. The dentist will use a fixed bridge to connect the partial dentures to any remaining natural teeth. This type of denture is also removable.

The patient will make two or three appointments to complete this process. Our team will make sure everything fits well and that the patient can have full mouth function with it. Patients should be prepared to wait a few weeks for the dentures. It takes time for the lab technician to make the appliance based on the molds our dental team makes.

What Material Dentures Are Made Of

One of the most popular reasons why people choose dentures and partial dentures are their resemblance to natural teeth. Dentures consist of a gum-colored base, which is often coated with acrylic or plastic. Other materials may be used in modern denture bases, as discussed in an article originally published in the Contemporary Clinical Dentistry. Artificial teeth attach to the base. The teeth are typically composed of porcelain or a resin, such as acrylic. While there are permanent dentures, most are removable, which can help the patient maintain and clean them efficiently.

Other Tooth Replacement Options

In addition to dentures and partial dentures, patients may want to consider other ways to replace missing teeth. When deciding which option to choose, there are a few factors to consider, such as cost, general dental health, and your lifestyle.

While implants are most likely to create the feeling of having a natural set of teeth, they are not always a feasible option. Cost is a top concern, especially when many or all teeth need replacement. According to WebMD, gum and bone health is important for successful implants.

Another option is an implant- or tooth-supported fixed bridge. This works similarly to the implant-supported denture but is not removable. Instead of clipping on to the teeth or implants, however, the bridge is affixed with cement or a screw. In addition to costing more than dentures, this option does not work with all configurations of missing teeth.

In the case of missing front teeth, dentists sometimes recommend a resin-bonded bridge. It is not very durable, which is why it is not used to replace other types of teeth that typically take more strain when chewing. It consists of a tooth replacement held on two wings that attach to the insides of the natural teeth on either side.

Helping Dentures Last With Proper Care

Dentures can work effectively for up to 10 years. This time frame will depend mainly on the person’s commitment and diligence to maintaining the appliance. Just as patients should brush and floss natural teeth, people must do the same with dentures. These habits will help prevent and remove stains from artificial teeth, helping to preserve the color.

Each night, patients should remove the dentures and soak the appliance in a solution that we recommend to help clean the dentures. After every meal, the wearer should take out the dentures and rinse them off. When doing this, the person must be careful not to drop the appliance. It may be helpful to place a towel on the counter or in the sink.

Dentures should allow the person to eat most foods without any issues. However, the patient should be careful about chewing hard items such as candy, nuts, and ice. Sticky foods can also pull the dentures out of the person’s mouth. If the person notices any damage to the base or artificial teeth, they should contact our office right away.

People should not try to fix the dentures without professional assistance. An article on the American Dental Association website offers more information on the subject of maintaining dentures and what to do if the break. In all cases of the dentures sustaining damage, it is crucial to call us for repairs.

Taking care of dentures

For a patient with removable dentures, it is crucial to remove them at night and thoroughly clean them. At least once a day, preferably at night, the individual needs to remove the dentures and carefully rinse off any loose food particles. However, the individual will not want to use typical toothpaste to clean the dentures.

Regular toothpaste can actually damage the base of the dentures due to the abrasive particles in the toothpaste. There are specific denture cleaning fluids that one can purchase to use for cleaning the dentures. We can go over where to get these solutions during a consultation. It is also wise to get a specific brush to clean the dentures. Using a brittle toothbrush can actually do more damage than good to the dentures.

When cleaning these dentures, it is important to keep the dentures above a towel or soft surface. Dropping the dentures, even just a few inches above a hard surface, can cause them to crack or break. Dentures must stay wet at all times and must not become dry. Thus, it is best to keep the dentures in water when one is not wearing them at night. In some cases, patients can keep their dentures in a cleaning solution overnight but will want to ask the dentist if that is best.

By following these steps or the directions that a dentist gives, the patient will be able to continue wearing the dentures for long periods of time without damaging the dentures. We may recommend regular checkups to help keep an eye on the patient's oral health to ensure the dentures are in working order.

If the dentures are not removable and stick to the patient's gums, then the dentist will recommend a different cleaning regimen. In many cases, caring for implant dentures will be the same as taking care of regular teeth with brushing twice a day. Patients need to take care of their gums and mouth as well.

Common Myths and Misconceptions

One of the most common myths we hear about dentures is that once a patient gets their dentures created and placed, they are set for life. Remember that dentures typically last for 5-10 years. Since this is a wide span of years, patients may wonder how to know when they need new dentures. If the color has changed dramatically or there is physical damage, dentures may need replacement. The most telling sign, however, is when they no longer fit securely.

Some people may also believe that if they remove all their teeth and get full dentures, they’ll never need to set foot in a dentist’s office again. The truth is that dentists are in the best position to tell patients whether or not they need to get their dentures repaired or replaced. In fact, the dentist may adjust dentures during annual or bi-annual visits to keep them fitting correctly. Dentists also pay keen attention to gum health. If the patient smokes or suffers from illnesses that may affect the gums, this is even more important.

Dentures without the wait

While some teeth may fall out naturally with age, there are cases in which we need to remove the rest of the teeth before placing full dentures. In fact, many people find it easier to replace all of their teeth instead of having partial dentures. However, that can mean that people will need to make multiple appointments and go several days to even a week without teeth.

By investing in immediate dentures, patients can receive the dentures after removing the teeth to avoid a variety of inconveniences. The patient will not have to worry as we will ensure that the patient has the proper sedation and does not feel anything while we remove the remaining teeth in the mouth. Once we complete this step, we will insert the dentures. These dentures will help to protect the tissues of the gums as they heal.

Patients will not have to spend several days without teeth while waiting for a dental lab to construct the dentures and can begin the adjustment process right away.

Immediate dentures

One benefit of immediate dentures is that patients only have to learn to speak with one set of dentures. With the traditional dentures process, patients will learn to speak with temporary dentures in place for several days, only to repeat the process when the new dentures are complete. Due to this, many people struggle to adapt and spend more time with speech difficulties than only needing to adapt to one pair of dentures.

With immediate dentures, patients will be able to continue their daily routine with minimal changes. Another problem many face with traditional dentures is learning to chew with the new set of teeth. Fortunately, immediate dentures help the patient do this faster than regular dentures and prevent them from having to repeat the process.

Questions Answered on This Page

Q. Are there different types of dentures?

Q. Will toothpaste help or harm the dentures?

Q. How long will the dentures process take?

People Also Ask

Q. How do I take care of my dentures?

Q. What do I do if I damage my dentures?

Q. How long will it take to adjust to new dentures?

Definition of Denture Terminology

Helpful Related Links

• American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Terms. 2015
• American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2015
• WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2015