Dentures are removable false teeth that come with a host of benefits, including helping to improve how you eat and speak, as well as boosting your confidence by restoring your smile.
They are used to replace one or more missing teeth to restore appearance and functionality, and consist of realistic-looking false teeth attached to a removable plate.
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If you are missing a single tooth or have multiple missing teeth you would like to replace, dentures are a strong, stable, and effective option.
They can enhance facial shape, especially around the lips and in the cheek area. You can either have partial dentures for a few missing teeth or full dentures to replace a whole set of teeth on the upper or lower jaw. By acting as a substitute for your natural teeth, they can also improve how your mouth functions, making eating and speaking much easier.
If all your teeth are missing, you will require complete dentures, which usually consist of an acrylic gum coloured arch with attached teeth, fitted in the top or bottom of your mouth.
They are kept in place by suction and can be made more secure with fixative to keep them in place.
A partial denture is used when you only have a few gaps in your smile, and fits around your remaining teeth. Your replacement teeth will be chosen to match the shape and shade of your existing teeth. We offer a variety of dentures including high impact acrylic, cobalt chrome and flexible. We will help you decide which will be the best option by taking into account your oral health, whether you have any remaining teeth and your personal circumstances.
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Making and fitting dentures is quite an involved process. You are likely to need 4-5 appointments when having new dentures fitted, which are normally one week apart.
Following a comprehensive consultation, we take impressions of your mouth. This allows models to be made, from which the denture will be constructed, ensuring a good fit, an accurate bite and optimum comfort.
When we are both happy with the look and feel of your model dentures, experienced dental technicians create your unique final dentures. When they are ready, we fit them in the top or bottom of your mouth.
After your dentures have been fitted and you have been wearing them for a while, you will be invited back for a follow-up appointment so we can check they remain comfortable and are continuing to work for you.
It can take a little while to get used to new dentures, especially if they a full set.
They will probably feel rather odd at first, and your speech may be affected. You can address this by speaking out loud as much as possible, so you get used to forming words with dentures in place. You may also find you salivate more than usual as your mouth will initially mistake the dentures for food, but this should lessen in time.
Dentures are designed to be hard-wearing, but they will last longer if you treat them with care. Dentures should be removed before you go to bed so your gums can have a rest, but they must be stored in water or denture fluid as they could lose their shape if allowed to dry out.
Clean your dentures with a toothbrush or a special denture brush and remember to keep your gums and any remaining teeth clean too. You will also need to attend regular check-ups so your dentist and hygienist can keep an eye on your oral health.
You should wear your dentures for around 8 hours a day at least. This gives your jawbone and gums time to get used to the dentures and prevents sore spots from developing. It is preferable to take them out at night time to give your gums a chance to rest.
It can take a little while to get used to your new dentures, especially if they are a complete set. They may feel odd at first and eating can be tricky, so it may be a good idea to start with softer foods and slowly introduce more challenging items. The amount of saliva in your mouth may increase, but this should soon improve as your mouth gets used to your replacement teeth.
Initially, speaking may be difficult but you can improve this by reading aloud. If you are experiencing any sore spots in your mouth, the denture surface may need some adjustment.
Generally, it would be beneficial to wait 3-4 weeks before you start to eat solid foods again.
It’s best to avoid hard & chewy foods, as well as sticky or spicy foods and alcohol while your mouth is sore or healing. To get used to the feeling of dentures, you should try not to rush eating so you can focus on the eating process and take small bites or cut up your food into bite size pieces so less chewing is required.
