DENTURES

Overdentures

An overdenture is a removable denture that fits over a small number of your remaining natural teeth or implants. These teeth must be prepared to provide stability and support for the denture.

Facelift Dentures

These dentures are a new type of denture which is designed to maintain and support your face, giving you a more youthful look. They allow you to eat whatever you want and don’t lead to jawbone deterioration.

Partial dentures

Partial dentures are often a good solution when you’re only missing a few teeth. A partial denture fills in the spaces created by these missing teeth and prevents your other teeth from shifting.

Designing your dentures

The denture process takes approximately five appointments over one month:

• The initial diagnosis is made
• An impression and a wax bite are made to determine vertical dimensions and proper jaw position.
• A “try-in” is placed to assure proper color, shape and fit; and the patient’s final denture is placed, following any minor adjustments.
• Measurements are taken to show how your jaws relate to one another and how much space is between them (bite relationship).
• The impression, bite and shade are given to the dental laboratory so a denture can be custom-made.
• The dental laboratory makes a mold or model of your jaw, places the teeth in a wax base, and carves the wax to the exact form wanted in the finished denture. Usually a “wax try-in” of the denture will be done at the dentist’s office so any adjustments can be done before the denture is completed.

Getting used to your denture

• For the first few weeks, a new denture may feel awkward or bulky. However, your mouth will eventually become accustomed to wearing it. Inserting and removing the denture will require some practice. Your denture should easily fit into place. Never force the partial denture into position by biting down. This could bend or break the clasps.
• At first, you may be asked to wear your denture all the time. Although this may be temporarily uncomfortable, it is the quickest way to identify those denture parts that may need adjustment. If the denture puts too much pressure on a particular area, that spot will become sore. Your denture can be adjusted to fit more comfortably. After making adjustments, you may need to take the denture out of your mouth before going to bed and replace it in the morning.
• Start out by eating soft foods that are cut into small pieces. Chew on both sides of the mouth to keep even pressure on the denture. Avoid sticky or hard foods, including gum.
• As you age, your mouth naturally changes, which can affect the fit of the denture. Your bone and gum ridges can recede or shrink, resulting in a loose-fitting denture. Loose dentures can cause various problems, including sores or infections. Dentures that do not fit properly can be adjusted. Avoid using a do-it-yourself kit to adjust your dentures, as this can damage the appliance beyond repair. Glues sold over the counter often contain harmful chemicals and should not be used on a denture.
• If your denture no longer fits properly, if it breaks, cracks or chips, or if one of the teeth becomes loose, see Beverly dentist Dr. Polan immediately. In many cases, he can make necessary adjustments or repairs, often on the same day. Complicated repairs may require sending your denture to a special dental laboratory.
• Over time, your dentures will need to be relined, re-based, or re-made due to normal wear and tear. To reline or rebase your denture, Dr. Polan will either refit the denture base or make a new one.

Looking after your denture

• It’s best to stand over a folded towel or a sink of water when handling your denture, just in case you accidentally drop it. Brush the denture (preferably with a denture brush) daily to remove food deposits and plaque, and keep it from becoming permanently stained. Avoid using a brush with hard bristles, which can damage the denture. Look for denture cleansers with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. Pay special attention to cleaning teeth that fit under the denture`s metal clasps. Plaque that becomes trapped under the clasps will increase the risk of tooth decay.
• Hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid to clean dentures is also acceptable. Other types of household cleaners and many toothpastes are too abrasive and should not be used for cleaning dentures. A denture could lose its proper shape if it is not kept moist.
• At night, the denture should be placed in soaking solution or water. However, if the appliance has metal attachments, they could be tarnished if placed in soaking solution.
• Even with full dentures, you still need to take good care of your mouth. Every morning, brush your gums, tongue and palate with a soft-bristled brush before you put in your dentures. This removes plaque and stimulates circulation in the mouth. Selecting a balanced diet for proper nutrition is also important for maintaining a healthy mouth.

Calculating the Cost

Like most significant dental procedures, getting fitted for dentures can be rather expensive, and many people rely upon insurance to pay for a new set of teeth. Proper dentures take multiple visits. Dentists such as Dr. Benjamin Poland in Beverly, MA use very specialized equipment to measure, fit, and craft your new teeth. Exceptional Dental also offers a variety of dental financing options.

Are dentures your solution?

Living with dentures requires a lifestyle adjustment, but if dentures are right for you then the benefits are well worth it. There are a number of signs that may help you to decide whether dentures are the next step.

1. Irregular visits to the dentist. Plaque buildup occurs despite daily brushing, and without professional cleaning, tooth decay is all but certain.
2. Bleeding and tender gums.If your gums are red and swollen, you may have periodontal disease. This problem destroys the gums, which in turn causes tooth instability and loss.
3. Shifting teeth.If your teeth move in your mouth they could be ready to fall out.
4. Severe toothaches. Regular dental checkups often catch tooth decay and cavities when they can be treated easily, but prolonged pain in a tooth is often a sign that the tooth may be beyond repair.
5. Difficulty eating certain foods. If your teeth are sensitive or hurt during meals, severe dental decay could be the cause. Missing teeth also cause eating problems.

Frequent indigestion. When a person can’t chew properly he or she often takes large bites of food. These big chunks can lead to indigestion because the stomach isn’t designed to digest intact pieces of food.

Embarrassed to smile. Failure to smile due to embarrassment about appearance is a common issue for anyone who needs to replace missing teeth.

Dentist Dr. Benjamin Polan can help improve your lifestyle with dentures in Beverly, MA

There’s no reason to say no to dentures with today’s dental technology. Today’s dentures look indistinguishable from healthy teeth, and many patients find that their smile improves with a new set, along with the relief of sitting down at the dining table and not worrying about any painful chewing.