As with any new appliance, dentures may feel quite odd, usually they feel big. They may cause increased saliva flow or they may alter speech. One should start by cutting food into small pieces, avoid hot foods, and avoid hard foods until the tissue, where the denture rests, becomes used to the new teeth. As time goes by, one will become accustomed to them. This will take time and you may get some sores initially, don’t panic.
As the years pass, the tissue and bone may shrink slightly. As this happens your dentures will then loosen. Also, as you lose or gain weight, you may notice that the denture may loosen. Dentures can be relined to help them fit snug again. However, if their bases are too far gone, you may need to get a new denture. If your denture is more than a year or two old and you are using denture adhesive everyday… your dentures are too loose and you could benefit from a reline. Relines are usually done same day and should be done every couple of years.
Under normal circumstances it is considered best to remove them at night. Research has shown that removing the denture for at least eight hours during either the day or night allows the gum tissue to rest and allows normal stimulation and cleansing by the tongue and saliva. This promotes better long-term health of gums.
New dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks until you become accustomed to them. The dentures may feel loose while the muscles of your cheek and tongue learn to keep them in place.
It is not unusual to experience minor irritation or soreness. You may find that saliva flow temporarily increases. As your mouth becomes accustomed to the dentures, these problems should diminish. One or more follow-up appointments with the Denturist are generally needed after a denture is inserted. If any problem persists, particularly irritation or soreness, be sure to consult your Denturist.
Special attention must be paid to cleanliness in order to remove food debris, bacteria and various stains that arise from some foods and smoking. If you are not careful about this, the gums may become inflamed and bad breath may develop. If possible, clean after each meal and especially before retiring each night.
A daily routine of brushing and soaking is a highly effective way to look after dentures. This combination of methods, using non-abrasive products, will ensure dentures stay clean, fresh and in top condition.
Dentures should be removed before cleaning. Firstly, every part of the denture should be brushed with denture toothbrush to remove loose food particles. Hold the denture over a basin containing water. It is a good idea to put a face cloth in the basin, too, so that if the denture does slip it won’t break. You may use soap and water, but if you prefer to use a paste, a specially designed denture toothpaste should be used as conventional toothpastes can be too abrasive.
Regular soaking with a product like Polident or Steradent after brushing will remove light staining and help to keep your denture hygienically clean. Don’t immerse the denture in very hot water, as this may warp it. These products are available in 15 minute or overnight formulations, but soaking must be carried out regularly if stain removal is to be effective. The 15 minute product is suitable for removing light stains, whilst heavier stains will require overnight soaking to be effective. Always ensure you rinse the denture in water while brushing lightly to remove any traces of the soaking product. If your denture has metal components, ensure you are using a denture cleanser that is suitable for this purpose.
The average life expectancy of a denture is 7-10 years. Although the denture is likely to last considerably longer than this, the shape of your mouth will have changed and an older denture can harbour bacteria that may cause oral health problems.
Your denture is in use for most of the 24 hours of every day, and needs regular servicing if it is to function at its best. Throughout life the jawbones change in shape. They tend to shrink, which results in an alteration of the “bite”. This causes a loss of chewing efficiency, a loss of appearance, loosening of the denture, and general discomfort of the mouth.
These changes can be rectified, but if left too long rehabilitation becomes very difficult. The rate of change depends on age, health and many other factors. Therefore, it varies from person to person.
There are several stages in denture fabrication (these may vary depending on the type of denture you have made):
Consultation
This will be your first appointment and is COMPLIMENTARY and OBLIGATION FREE. We may charge if a second opinion and report is required.
Primary impression(s)
Using a fast set alginate material to take an impression of your mouth.
Special tray(s):
A customised personal tray will be created from the initial impression and use to perform another impression taking of your mouth. This allows us to get the most precise copy of your mouth.
Bite Registration
A technique used to determine & measure the relationship between your upper and lower jaw. We will also discuss your aesthetics expectations (Photographs that you can provide would be of assistance).
Try-in
This is your opportunity to preview the new denture with the teeth set in the wax and ask your opinion, which allows you to assess the aesthetics of your new denture, and make any changes, prior to the denture being completed. You must be 100% satisfied before giving consent to process as any changes after this will be impossible without any additional fee being charged. The full cost of treatment will be due for payment at the Insertion appointment and is non-refundable.
Insertion
Your final appointment is where you take your complete denture home. We will advice you what to expect and how to take care of your new denture.
Post Insertion Check
During adaption period, you may experience some pains and discomfort. Small adjustments may also require after the insertion of the denture to relieve some certain pain and discomfort.
All appointments are included in the cost of your denture.
Usually repairing dentures or adding extra acrylic teeth to existing denture can be done on the same day, approximately take 2-3 hours. You will get your smile back quickly.
- Denture slipping and moving
- Denture teeth worn out
- Speaking difficulties and unwanted sounds, such as “clicking, whistling, smacking…”
- Difficulty in eating and chewing foods
- Lack of suction / adhesion
- Wrinkles above / around lips or at corners of mouth
- Sore spots in the mouth
- Soreness at corners of mouth
- Broken denture
If you have above issues, your current dentures might have already been ill fitting in your mouth for a while, please make an appointment and see us.
