FAQs

Dentures are removable appliances designed to replace missing teeth and restore oral function. They come in two main types: complete dentures, which replace all the teeth in an arch, and partial dentures, which replace one or more missing teeth while preserving the remaining natural teeth.

With proper care, dentures can last between 5 to 10 years. However, this is not a guarantee as every person is different and treats their dentures in their own way. Factors such as oral health, daily care practices, and changes in the mouth over time, such as gum recession or bone loss, can affect the lifespan of dentures. Regular check-ups and maintenance can help extend their usability.

Daily cleaning is essential to maintain denture health. Brush your dentures with a soft-bristle brush and a non-abrasive denture cleaner. We recommend using a lemon or citrus-based dishwashing liquid for daily cleaning, but do not use toothpaste, as it can be too abrasive and damage your dentures. Rinse them thoroughly after meals, and soak them overnight in a denture-cleaning solution. Regular visits to your denturist for check-ups and professional cleaning are also important.

It’s common to experience some changes in speech when you first start wearing dentures. Muscle memory can take up to 3 months to reset, and you may see little to no change in your speech during this period without additional speaking exercises. Practice speaking and reading out loud to aid in adjustment. Over time, your tongue and mouth will adapt to the dentures, and any speech difficulties should diminish.

Initial discomfort or adjustment issues are common when starting to wear dentures. Successfully adapting to your dentures requires a collaborative effort between your dedication to wearing them and your dental professional’s expertise in making necessary adjustments. A thorough adjustment and review process over several months will help ensure that your custom-made dentures maintain their fit and functionality. Consistent follow-up with your denturist is essential to address any issues and refine the fit as needed.

Yes, you can eat a variety of foods with dentures, but it’s important to start with soft foods and cut them into small pieces. While some suggest chewing on both sides of your mouth for balance, this can be challenging and may not always be practical. Instead, focus on taking small bites and avoid sticky or hard foods to maintain comfort and ease while eating. Over time, you’ll adjust to eating with your dentures and find what works best for you.

Yes, there are several types of dentures, including:

Complete Dentures: For individuals who have lost all their teeth in an arch.

Partial Dentures: For those who have lost some teeth but still have remaining natural teeth.

Immediate Dentures: Placed immediately after tooth extraction.

Implant-Supported Dentures: Secured by dental implants for added stability.

The process of making dentures involves several detailed steps to ensure a custom fit and optimal function:

Consultation: Initial meeting with your dental professional to discuss your needs, expectations, and the denture options available to you.

Primary Impressions: Initial impressions are taken to create a preliminary model of your mouth.

Secondary Impressions: More detailed impressions are made using a custom tray to capture the precise details of your oral structures.

Maxillo-Mandibular Relationship Records: Records of how your upper and lower jaws align and move together are taken to ensure the proper bite and occlusion.

Try-In: A wax or resin model of the dentures is made and fitted to check for fit, comfort, and aesthetics. Adjustments are made as needed.

Retry: Additional adjustments may be necessary based on your feedback from the try-in stage to ensure the dentures meet your expectations.

Insert of Finished Device: Once all adjustments are completed, the final dentures are crafted and inserted. The fit and function are checked to ensure your satisfaction.

Review Process: Several review sessions are conducted up to 6 months after insertion to fine-tune and make any necessary adjustments to ensure ongoing comfort and optimal function.

This comprehensive process ensures that your dentures are well-fitting, comfortable, and tailored to your specific needs.

Yes, if your dentures break or crack, they should be repaired by a professional. Do not use superglue to attempt repairs, as it contains harmful ingredients and is not suitable for dental appliances. Superglue is not the same as the medical adhesive used in hospitals for open wounds and can cause additional damage. Most self-repair attempts also result in misalignment of the denture parts, making it very difficult for professionals to fix and potentially increasing repair costs due to the need for new impressions. Contact your denturist immediately for professional repair.

Regular check-ups are crucial for maintaining denture fit and oral health. It is recommended to visit your denturist at least once a year for an examination and professional cleaning. The most critical aspect of these annual check-ups is assessing the health of the denture occlusion, as this determines whether your dentures are still functioning effectively. Many common complaints are often related to worn-out occlusion and misalignment with the current jaw relationship. Regular reviews help ensure that any issues are identified and addressed promptly.

If your dentures feel loose or uncomfortable, put down the angle grinder and tuck away the nail file. Just come and see a professional and let us do our job for you. Loose dentures may need adjustments to ensure a proper fit. Never attempt to fix them yourself, as it could worsen the issue.

It is generally recommended to remove dentures overnight to allow your gums to rest and to reduce the risk of oral infections. If you do wear your dentures at night, you are at a 3.5 times greater risk of breaking them and wearing them down while you sleep. Additionally, wearing dentures overnight can increase the risk of pneumonia in the very elderly, as highlighted in a 2015 study here. Also, remember that whatever is under your dentures when you put them in will be under them when you take them out. If you choose to sleep with them in, leave them out for a few hours the following day to allow your mucosa to rest.

Coverage for dentures varies depending on your insurance plan. Check with your insurance provider to understand what is covered and any associated costs.

Choosing the right denture involves considering factors such as the number of missing teeth, your oral health, and your preferences for comfort and aesthetics. If you are uncomfortable with the options provided or if only one option has been suggested, seek a second opinion from another dental professional. Any reputable dental professional will respect your need for a second opinion, as your informed consent is required for proceeding with your treatment.