You have probably all heard stories of someone sneezing and their dentures flying across the room! Some people lose them leaning over the boat when they are fishing! We have known of a person who dragged a dam with a fishing net after he lost his dentures. And he found them! Or how about driving over them with a truck!
A lot of people through no fault of their own have lost the natural teeth God gave them. Sometimes it was through inadequate diet, or a genetic tendency to soft teeth or gum disease. Some have had their teeth knocked out in injuries. And when age catches up with us and the body's defences don't work as well as they used to, we start to lose teeth. But all is not lost. There are people like Neville and Joseph who have spent their life working with teeth, making workable replacements to the ones God gave us.
So if you lose some of your teeth all is not lost. There are lots of ways that your appearance and your ability to chew can be helped.
What is the difference between a Clinical Dental Technician and a Dental Prosthetist?
Why would I want a denture in the first place?
How long should dentures last?
Why am I fitted with an "Immediate Denture"?
Can I wear them overnight?
How can I clean my denture?
My first denture is uncomfortable.
My gum gets a little sore occasionally.
But my denture is new!
What problems can I expect with new dentures?
Can I use an adhesive?
Should I label my denture?
How often will I need to replace my dentures?
How will a denture affect my speech?
Do I need to change my diet to protect my denture?
How do I care for my partial denture?
What is the difference between a Clinical Dental Technician and a Dental Prosthetist?
Or you might have heard of an Advanced Dental Technician and a Denturist.
All of these titles are the same - they refer to a dental professional who has first trained as a dental technician and has then had further training to become a clinician. In South Australia the correct term for a professional who makes dentures direct to the client is a dental prosthetist. Pronounced - pros-thee-tist. The prosthetist will assess and examine your case, prepare a treatment plan and proceed to construct your dentures. You will be able to discuss all your requirements and concerns with him. He will be endeavouring to make you dentures that improve your appearance and your ability to eat and talk (aesthetics and function).
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Why would I want a denture in the first place?
There are many reasons why people need dentures both functionally and cosmetically. Difficulty with eating can be debilitating. It requires close attention because it can cause digestion problems. Your smile, too, is vital to your overall well-being. You can smile and be confident that that you are presenting a good impression if you have good-looking teeth. A good set of dentures can go a long way to restoring your appearance and consequently your self-confidence.
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How long should dentures last?
Your first denture will not be your last. A lot of people think a denture should last forever, but this is, unfortunately, just not possible.
Dentures can be worn down by incorrect maintainence. The mouth and gums will also change in shape, but the denture does not. The supporting tissues of our gums are actually changing all the time, so the denture should be inspected on a regular basis.
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Why am I fitted with an "Immediate Denture"?
"Immediate Dentures" are fitted immediately after the extraction of natural teeth, hence the name. These can be adjusted as the gum shrinks. Some patients think that they can wear these dentures without further adjustment, but this is not correct.
"Immediate Dentures" need to be relined to restore the fit after the initial shrinkage of the gums.
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Can I wear them overnight?
This is, generally, up to you. Continuous pressure on the denture can cause a number of problems, so if you tend to grind your teeth while sleeping, it is probably not a good idea. On the other hand, if you take them out and find that you are waking up with facial muscle discomfort, it may mean you are over-closing your jaws. Under that circumstance, it may be better to leave them in.
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How can I clean my denture?
Both natural teeth and dentures need be cleaned regularly. Most of us are aware of the "brush after every meal" ideal, but, because of location or time constraints, we often difficulty with this. Toothpaste was designed for natural teeth and it does a tremedous job for natural teeth. However, the reasons that make it good for natural teeth, also make it inappropriateits for the highly polished plastics that make up most dentures.
Using a soft toothbrush, hold one side with your fingers, and brush gently, using a liquid soap or a bath soap. Rinse them carefully after cleaning. Brushing too vigorously may also result in unneccessary wear and tear on the base.
Dentures are designed with a lot of strength for chewing, but not for bending. Do not place a denture in the palm of your hand. They are actually quite fragile and can snap at their weakest points without careful handling. Actually, most dentures are broken when they are being cleaned. One tip when cleaning dentures: put some water into the basin and clean them over the water. If you drop the denture, it will fall into the water, cushioning the fall.
Perhaps the place where people most frequently break their dentures is in the shower, so please, do not clean them in the shower.
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My first denture is uncomfortable.
Like with anything new, it takes a little time to get used to your first denture. It feels bulky in the mouth, and there is a temptation to play with it all the time with your tongue. It may take a little while to develop new chewing techniques, which can also be discomforting.
With time and a little patience, you will overcome these difficulties and adjust to your new denture.
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My gum gets a little sore occasionally.
Each denture is moulded to fit the gum: an exact fit, not just a snug fit, but exact. One of the first signs of impending replacement can be when the gum seems to just get tender for no apparent reason. This is often a signal that the gum tissue is changing and can indicate problems.
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But my denture is new!
In that case, it is more likely that something small has changed in the mouth, which would imply that only a minor adjustment is required.
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What problems can I expect with new dentures?
A period of initial adjustment and settling in is normal; however, always return to your Provider to ensure proper adjustment and comfort in function if you are having difficulty.
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Can I use an adhesive or a soft liner?
When dentures are first fitted, they should be snug. However, as the gums shrink, many people unwisely resort to adhesives or self liners from a chemist to keep their denture in place. These "do it yourself kits" can result in problems if not checked.
There is no substitute for well fitting dentures.
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Should I label my denture?
Many Prosthetists will, unobtrusively, insert your name on the denture. In the case of an accident or hospitalisation your denture may be used in identifying you and your denture.
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How often will I need to replace my dentures?
As often as neccessary. Ordinarily, dentures should be checked about every 5 or 6 years, but for some people, for whatever reason, this may be too long a time. The major issue is that dentures do not change, but the supporting tissues of the mouth do. Younger denture wearers commonly wear their dentures for 10-20 years, without any apparent problems, but, inevitably, they will need to change them when the tissue changes.
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How will a denture affect my speech?
Dentures change the shape of the mouth and therefore it may be a little while before your tongue "wakes up" to the new space. To improve your confidence, its often helps just to spend a little time reading aloud in front of a mirror. Certain words will cause you to stumble, but practice and repetition overcomes any real problems.
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Do I need to change my diet to protect my denture?
The denture wearer should always consider themselves a disabled person. In some cases dentures may be no more a satisfactory prosthesis than an artificial leg is a replacement for a healthy, natural leg. Therefore, care should be taken to gradually attempt more difficult or harder foods.
CARE OF YOUR PARTIAL DENTURES
These notes are for your guidance and to help you to maintain comfort and efficiency from your new dentures. Artificial dentures are only substitutes and can never be as efficient as natural teeth. You have spent a considerable time having these new dentures made. Like all new appliances, it will take some time for you to become used to them. You must look after them carefully in order to have a good service.
Here are some helpful suggestions
INSERTION AND REMOVAL.
Your prosthetist will show you how to place and remove your dentures. Be sure you can do this properly before you leave the denture clinic.
FUNCTION
Even if you have worn dentures before, your new denture will feel strange at first. This is because your mouth takes some time to adapt to the new denture. When eating, start with soft, crisp foods (eg. Lightly cooked vegetables.) Take in small amounts and chew slowly. Try to bite on your own teeth rather than the artificial ones, especially at the front. Bite at the corners of the mouth and not with your front teeth. If possible, chew on both sides at the same time.
OVERNIGHT CARE
Dentures should be removed before going to bed, as this gives your mouth a chance to rest. This will help to prevent you from unconsciously grinding your teeth at night. Clean your dentures thoroughly and place them in a glass of water. Ask your dental prosthetist about cleaning agents.
ORAL HYGIENE
A new denture replaces those teeth you have lost. To maintain this healthy condition, it is necessary that you take great care with the cleaning of your mouth, so that there will be a minimum further loss of teeth or damage to the mouth. Your dental prosthetist will show you how to use a tooth brush and dental floss correctly, so that you can efficiently remove food particles an d plaque after each meal.
MAINTENANCE
Clean your dentures after each meal in order to keep them free from food particles and plaque. Brush both the inside and outside surfaces with a soft brush and soap. If you normally wear glasses, be sure you wear them while cleaning your dentures and also that you are in a good light. Place some water or a cloth in the basin during cleaning , in order to prevent damage if you drop your dentures while cleaning. DO NOT USE hot water, abrasives, bleach, methylated spirits or antiseptics, unless instructed.
If you break your dentures, or damage a clasp, stop wearing it. Telephone your prosthetist for an immediate appointment. DO NOT glue the parts together as the use of an unsuitable glue will ruin the denture and it will be difficult for the prosthetist to repair it correctly. In addition, do not bend or modify a clasp in any way as this could cause it to break.
If tartar buildup is noticed, soaking your dentures in white vinegar for an hour will help its removal. If not successful, make an appointment to have your dentures re-polished.
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