An immediate denture is one that is fabricated by your denturist before your natural teeth are extracted. On the day of your extractions at the dentist, he/she will insert the dentures immediately for you. This way, you will not have to go without teeth while your mouth heals.

One of the main advantages of immediate dentures is that the denture wearer does not have to go without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums can shrink over time, especially during the first 6-12 months after the removal of teeth. When gums shrink, immediate dentures will require a reline to fit properly.

One of the main disadvantages of immediate dentures is that you cannot have a try-in which makes it very difficult to predict how the denture is going to fit and how it is going to look once your teeth are extracted and the denture is in place.

Your new dentures will help protect your gums and control any minor bleeding or swelling from the extractions. Keep them in your mouth as much as possible (including at night), removing them only to rinse and brush after meals. Use only lukewarm water to rinse for the first few days or, if provided to you by your dentist, use special rinsing solution.

New dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks until you get familiar with them. The dentures may feel loose as the muscles of your cheek and tongue learn how to keep them in place. It is not unusual to experience soreness or minor irritation, however, if the sore spot persists more than a day or two, call Halstead Denture Clinic to make an appointment for an adjustment. We can usually book you in within a day or two. You may also notice that your flow of saliva temporarily increases. Not to worry though, as your mouth adjusts to the dentures, these problems should diminish. 

One or more follow-up appointments with your Denturist are generally needed after a denture is put in place.

New denture wearers need time to get accustomed to their new “teeth” because even the best fitting dentures will feel awkward at first.  While most patients can begin to speak normally within a few hours, many patients report discomfort with eating for several weeks. 

To get accustomed to chewing with a new denture, start with soft, easy-to-chew foods while avoiding hot and hard foods until the tissue where the denture rests becomes used to the new teeth. In addition, denture wearers often notice a slight change in facial appearance, increased saliva flow or minor speech difficulties.

You can seriously damage your dentures and harm your health by trying to adjust or repair your own dentures. A denture that is not made to fit properly can cause irritation and sores.

Be sure to see your Denturist if your dentures break, crack, chip or if one of the teeth becomes loose. A Denturist can often make the necessary adjustments or repairs on the same day. Without the proper training, you will not be able to reconstruct the denture and therefore you can cause greater damage to the denture and possibly your mouth.  

*Glues that are sold over-the-counter can contain harmful chemicals and should not be used on your dentures.

The average lifespan of a denture is about 5 to 8 years. Over time, your dentures will need to be relined, rebased, or remade due to normal wear. Depending on what you eat and your bone structure, dentures can last longer or they can also wear out faster. 

Dentures may need to be replaced if they become loose and the teeth show signs of significant wear. Dentures become loose because a mouth naturally changes with age as bone and gum ridges recede or shrink, causing jaws to align differently. Shrinking ridges can cause dentures to fit less securely and loose dentures can cause health problems, including sores and infections. Loose dentures can also make chewing more difficult and may change your facial features so it is important to replace worn or poorly-fitting dentures before they cause problems.

Contact Halstead Denture Clinic if you have any questions or concerns about your dentures.

There will be an adjustment period as you learn to chew with your new dentures. Start with soft foods, cut into small pieces, while avoiding hot and hard foods. Chew slowly using both sides of your mouth at the same time to prevent the dentures from tipping. As you get used to chewing, gradually add other foods until you are back to your normal diet.

Be cautious with hot or hard foods as well as sharp-edged bones or shells. Your upper denture covers your palate so be very careful with hot liquids and food.

Removable partial dentures usually consist of replacement teeth attached to pink plastic bases which are connected by a metal framework. Unlike complete dentures, partial dentures usually attach to our natural teeth with metal clasps. You should visit your dentist regularly so your natural teeth can be cleaned properly and monitored so that they do not become loose.

Your new partial denture may feel awkward or bulky for the first few weeks but your mouth will eventually get used to wearing it. Follow all instructions provided to you by your Denturist because inserting and removing the denture will require some practice. Your partial denture should fit into place with relative ease so you should never have to force it, doing so could bend or break the clasps.

A partial denture replaces missing teeth and therefore should make eating a more pleasant experience. Begin by eating soft foods that are cut into small pieces, chewing on both sides of the mouth to ensure even pressure on the denture. Avoid extremely sticky or hard foods and you may also want to avoid chewing gum while you adjust to your new partial denture.

A partial denture may help you speak more clearly because missing teeth can cause speaking difficulties. Do not get discouraged if, at first, you find it difficult to pronounce certain words with your new partial denture, just practice reading out loud and repeat the words that give you trouble. With time and practice you will get used to speaking properly with your denture.

Over time, adjustments to the denture may be required because as you age, your mouth naturally changes which can affect the fit of your denture. Your bone and gum ridges can recede or shrink which can cause loose-fitting dentures. Dentures that do not fit properly should be adjusted by your Denturist immediately so they do not cause sores or infections. Contact Halstead Denture Clinic if your dentures become loose.

Brushing twice a day and cleaning between your teeth daily will help prevent tooth decay and gum disease that can lead to tooth loss. Pay special attention to cleaning teeth that fit under the partial denture’s metal clasps because plaque that gets trapped under the clasps will increase the risk of tooth decay. Your Denturist and dental hygienist can demonstrate how to properly brush and clean between teeth. It is also important to select a balanced diet for proper nutrition.

Lower dentures have to operate in a very mobile environment where the lips, cheeks and tonque tend to try and dislodge the denture (when speaking or eating). In addition, the lower ridge is smaller than the upper ridge and is prone to excessive shrinking (close to 4 times more than the upper) and there is no large surface like the palate on which to create suction or balance. These factors often cause a lower denture to move or to get food trapped underneath as the ridge shrinks.

Dental implants are a more permanent solution for loose dentures. Implants are artificial tooth roots that can be placed in the bones of your ridges and then your dentures will snap into place. As a result, you will have less denture movement allowing you to eat and speak with confidence.

Implant retained dentures are more stable than most other types of dentures and are a proven restorative option with an excellent success rate. 

Dental implants can be used to replace a single lost tooth or several missing teeth. Many patients who have chosen implant supported teeth report that they are happy and comfortable for the first time since the loss of their natural teeth. 

You would still clean and care for your dentures the same way by taking them out to clean and overnight.  he dentures clip onto the implants to hold them down and the lower denture is more stable which leads to less sores and helps prevent food from getting underneath.

Increased ability to eat because the dentures are not moving around and so your biting force is greatly increased;

Increased comfort due to less sores that can occur with regular dentures; Stability; Bone preservation, the bone surrounding the implant actually resorbs less than if the implant was not there. Improved oral health, appearance and self-esteem.

Implants for dentures have been around for over 25 years and have excellent results. They are a more permanent option and with the appropriate care can last a lifetime.

The pain associated with implant surgery is generally less intense than a tooth extraction and with modern dentistry, it should be relatively painless.