DENTURES

hen all of your teeth are gone, dentures can replace your missing teeth and your smile, and your ability to eat and speak properly. An immediate dentures is placed the same day your teeth are extracted. Prior to the extractions, an impression is made of your jaw, and Dr. Rogers will help you select the shade and shape of your new teeth. With an immediate denture, you do not have to be without teeth during the healing process.

How Dentures are Made

An impression of your jaw is made, with measurements to show how your jaws relate to each each other.  Also, the color, shape and shade of your natural teeth will be selected. Everything is sent to our professional dental lab so they can make a custome-made denture especially for you.

Getting comfortable with a Denture

At first, it is important to chew soft foods that are cut into small pieces. Try to chew on both sides of your mouth. While you are adjusting to your new denture, it's best to avoid sticky, hard, and hot foods. You will eventually become accustomed to wearing your dentures and be able to eat regular foods.

Don't be alarmed if you get sore spots. This is completely normal. Just give our office a call, and we'll make an appointment just as soon as possible, to adjust these areas. It is common for the tissues surrounding the extractions to shrink and for your gums to change.

Regular visits to our office, especially in the beginning, will give us an opportunity to make small adjustments or relines as necessary.

Adjustments

Most denture wearers experience a break-in period, usually about two months.  During this time, the tissues surrounding the extracted teeth must heal.  Peoples' mouths undergo change all of the time.  Gums change shape, and sometimes shrink.  Maintenance of the denture over time is important because a loose-filling denture, or one that has not been adjusted to compensate for gum or jaw changes could cause pressure points, leading to mouth sores and possible infection.

Regular dental visits also provide an opportunity to replace or repair loose teeth, or make small repairs to dentures that may have become chipped or cracked. Over the long run, the base of a denture may need to be relined because of wear and tear from constantly rubbing against your soft palate or roof of your mouth.

Care and Cleaning

Just like your natural teeth, dentures need to be cared for with diligence.  Each day, brush your dentures with a toothbrush and toothpaste to remove plaque, food particles and other debris. We also recommend that every morning you brush your gums, tongue and palate with a soft-bristled brush before you put in your denture.

To avoid damage to your denture, hold your denture over the sink filled with water, just in case you drop it.  If you do not wear your denture at night, place the denture in a soaking solution or water, so that it keeps it's proper shape.

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 your mouth.

Adhesives

If you need additional retention, you may need to use dental adhesives.  However, if you are constantly using adhesives for an old and ill-fitting denture, these dentures may need to be relined or may need to be replaced.

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