DENTURES

Expertly Replacing Missing Teeth

If you’re missing many or multiple teeth, a denture may be the restorative appliance for you. A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth in the upper or lower jaw, making it a comfortable, functional and aesthetic solution for many patients.

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There are different types of dentures that we use at Go Dental:

To prevent losing teeth, it’s important to visit your dentist regularly and maintain healthy dental habits. Call your dentist right away if you experience a chip, a break, or if you lose a tooth.

If you’re not missing all of your teeth, a partial denture may be placed to restore your missing teeth. A removable partial denture consists of artificial teeth that are attached to a base.

When all the teeth are missing, complete dentures are used. Even if you’re not initially missing all of your teeth, your remaining teeth may be removed before placing a complete denture.

Conventional dentures are placed after teeth have been removed and the gums begin to heal.

Made in advance, immediate dentures are ready to go in right after the teeth are removed. Before healing shifts gum structure, immediate dentures will need many more adjustments than a conventional denture. A benefit of immediate dentures is that patients do not have to wait for.

CREATING YOUR DENTURES

Preparing for and creating your appliance may take several appointments. Making a denture that fits your mouth comfortably and perfectly is a precise process that our dental team takes very seriously. The process for making them consists of:

Your dentist will examine your jaw and take digital impressions that will be important to the creation of your dentures.

A model that mimics the exact shape and fit of your future denture will be made. You’ll try on your model to adjust for color, shape, and fit, so that everything is perfect before the final denture is cast.

Once the ideal fit and appearance of the model is achieved, your denture will be made. From there, adjustments will be made as necessary.

ADJUSTING TO YOUR NEW SMILE

As with any big change, there will be an adjustment period after receiving your dentures. Immediately after first receiving your dentures, you may feel some discomfort or soreness that can be managed by non-prescription pain medication. One of the biggest challenges at first may be adjusting to eating with your new teeth. Here are our tips for eating with your dentures:

Begin with gentle foods that will be easy to handle. Start with liquids and work your way up to soft foods that may have some chunks or lumps, such as mashed potatoes and applesauce. Stick to room temperature liquids and foods at this stage.

Once you’re able to handle solid food, cut your meals into little pieces. Smaller pieces will be much easier for you to chew.

You may need to adjust your diet slightly after your dentures are placed. Sticky foods and tough meats are examples of types of foods that you may need to avoid.

Comfort will increase as you adjust to the feel of your new dentures. Before long, they will feel like a normal and natural part of your teeth.

TAKING CARE OF YOUR DENTURES

The better you care for your dentures, the longer they will last. Dentures function as your teeth and they should be cared for with the same level of attention. Since they are removable, they need to be cleaned regularly. General best practices for taking care of them include:

Though dentures are removable, they function as your teeth and are worn throughout the day, including during mealtimes. To keep them clean, it’s important to rinse off any food particles after eating.

Only place your denture in your mouth after both the denture and your own mouth are clean. This helps to keep your them clean and comfortable!

Most patients are instructed to remove their dentures at night to give the gum tissue an opportunity to rest. This is the perfect time to clean them as well. Soak them in a denture solution approved by your dental team.

Above all, follow your dentist’s instructions and recommendations for wearing your dentures. At Go Dental in Valencia, California, we want you and your new teeth to thrive. If you ever have any questions or notice that something feels “off,” contact your Go Dental dentist right away.