Dentures

Dentures are the most popular and most economical choice for replacing missing teeth. Today’s dentures are more natural-looking than ever, and can give you back the ability to eat all of your favorite foods, smile with confidence and look younger.

Getting dentures requires a few visits to the dental office. First there will be an exam, and impressions of your mouth will be taken. Your dentures will be designed to fit you as precisely as possible. During some of your exams you may notice that you have a gag reflex. If you are getting full top dentures, they will cover a large portion of your palate, the roof of your mouth, and can sometimes trigger gag reflex. They can be cut down slightly to help with this, but a gag reflex is something that you can overcome as you get used to the dentures being in your mouth.

You may get temporary dentures to wear while waiting for your permanent dentures to be ready. These may feel a little bulky, and you shouldn’t assume that your final dentures will be exactly the same. But temporary dentures can give you time to start getting used to wearing dentures, and if you had any teeth pulled prior to placement, they can help your mouth heal.

Once your permanent dentures are ready, Dr. Nokrashy will make any adjustments as necessary. When you leave the office you will make a follow-up appointment to come in after you’ve worn your dentures for about a week or so. Dentures can take a bit of getting used to, so don’t hesitate to ask any questions or express any concerns that you have when they are new. It should only take a week or so for your dentures to begin to feel like a natural part of your mouth.

The question of denture adhesive is somewhat controversial. Most denture wearers use some sort of adhesive to help their dentures stay secure, while some people are able to wear dentures comfortably without the need for adhesive. Your top dentures stay in place with the help of natural suction, so you are less likely to need adhesive to keep them in and secure. The bottom dentures tend to cause more problems for denture wearers. In addition to slippage, food particles can sometimes get caught between the dentures and gums, causing immediate and sometimes sharp pain. Denture adhesive can reduce the likelihood of this happening.

When many teeth are still healthy and only some teeth need replacement, partial dentures can be designed to replace all of the missing teeth. Partials are cared for the same way as full dentures, by cleaning with a denture brush in mild soap and water and soaking in denture cleanser if desired. You should never use toothpaste to clean dentures because it is designed for natural teeth only.

If you are interested in learning more about dentures, contact Smiles Depot - Lodi now. Remember that missing teeth should always be replaced, for your oral health, your enjoyment of food and for your smile and self-esteem.