Dentures and Appearance

A cosmetic denture tooth is utilized and arranged in a manner to closely mimic the natural variations found in real teeth in terms of shape, arrangement and light reflecting properties.

Conventional denture setups usually appear too symmetrical in color, arrangement, size and lead to the typical "denture look" which is easily identifiable and looks very artificial.

Cosmetic denture setups can help enhance your smile and even help return the proper degree of support and contour to your facial profile resulting in the denture wearer being less self-conscious of their smile while offering a more youthful appearance.

Eating with Dentures

Eating with dentures will take a little practice, especially for the first-time denture wearer. Start with softer foods cut into small pieces and chew slowly on the back teeth to develop a "feel" for chewing with denture teeth. Unlike natural teeth there is no sensory feedback from a denture tooth to tell you where the teeth are and you will rely on muscle memory that will develop during the adaptation period. Depending upon the limitations of the supporting ridge structures, you may or may not be able to bite on the front teeth with conventional dentures.

Patients that experience a lot of tipping or movement of their dentures during chewing should have the dentures examined closely to determine what corrective treatment is required to correct these issues. Leaving these problems unchecked will result in further damage to the denture bearing surfaces and may also result in a poorer fit with future dentures. With all the treatment options that are available at this time to achieve a proper fit, there is NO reason for you to not enjoy a normal balanced and varied diet free from discomfort or embarrassment.

Speech and Dentures

Learning to speak will require some practice, especially for the first-time denture wearer. Start by reading out loud and repeating words/sounds you are experiencing difficulties with. Your denturist will be able to determine if any adjustments are necessary to help you cope with any speech issues you are experiencing.

Loose or ill-fitting dentures can also impact your speech therefore, it is important to have your dentures checked regularly. Even when replacement dentures are made, if there were major changes required or it has been a very long time since the dentures were replaced you may experience some speech issues.

TMD Concerns

Prolonged use of ill-fitting and misaligned dentures can lead to problems with the tempromandibular ( TM ) Joint. Symptoms of TM joint dysfunction include:

• Popping and/or grating sounds associated with any type of jaw movement.
• Headaches, earaches and/or a limited range of jaw movement.
• Chronic stiffness or pain in neck, shoulders or jaw.

In most cases damage to the TM joint is not reversible, but with early detection and proper management of the occlusal scheme and following the advice of your clinician; the possibility of further damage can be reduced.

Denture Adhesives

Dentures are made to fit precisely and typically do not require use of any type of adhesive. Most fit issues occur with a complete lower denture which may make it necessary to utilize adhesives if implants are not an option. In an emergency, denture adhesives can be used to keep the denture stable until you are able to see your Denturist; but prolonged use of adhesives can lead to gum irritation and eventual, increased bone loss in the jaws. A poorly-fittingdenture which causes constant irritation over a long period, may cause permanent tissue changes and even compromise the fit of any replacement dentures, if your dentures begin to feel loose, you notice more food collection issues or increased discomfort and/or you note that you are using even more adhesive than normal, see your Denturist as soon as possible.

Replacing Dentures and Check-ups

Dentures need to be checked on a regular basis, we recommend an annual check-up and no longer than every two years between visits. Have your dentures replaced or relined as needed, since gums normally change with aging. This process of change is accelerated by an ill-fitting denture and ageing. Shrinkage of the gums can cause the dentures to align differently and/or fit less securely.

An ill-fitting denture can lead to the development of chronic sores and lead to undesirable changes in the gums. Denture with worn teeth may result in chewing difficulties, changes in facial features and in some cases, TM joint dysfunction. It’s important to replace worn or poorly-fitting dentures before they cause any major problems.

Check-ups will help ensure that your dentures last longer, function more efficiently and more importantly will ensure the continued good health of your gums. As a denture wearer, it is in your best interest to ensure that your dentures are always fitting properly to minimize bone loss. Excessive bone loss or tissue damage caused by an ill-fitting denture can impact the fit of future dentures and in some cases, you may require surgical treatment before being fitted with a new denture.

Everyone can tell I wear Dentures

This is true only if your dentures look unnatural or don't fit properly. A precisely fitted cosmetic denture followed up with regular check-ups and proper home care is essential in assuring good oral health and maintain your "natural appearance".

A proper fit prosthesis will help improve self-confidence by minimizing embarrassing situations such as dentures that move when you are talking, having to avoid foods that you like, or being self-conscious of your smile.

"Dentures last forever"

While it is true that dentures are durable, ongoing changes in your mouth and wear of the denture teeth over time make it necessary to reline or replace your dentures periodically. Even with conscientious care, denture teeth lose their natural appearance and chewing ability through normal wear and age. Dentures need to be replaced every 5 to 7 years on average. Waiting till you are unable to cope with your dentures will only make the transition to new dentures more difficult.

"My denture needs to be replaced, but I don't want to go through the adjustment period again"

The first time you get dentures is always the most difficult. As an experienced denture wearer, you've already learned the basics about speaking and eating with dentures. There will always be an adjustment period, but it will be shorter and easier than the first time. If you replace your denture regularly then the adjustment period is much shorter, since the changes in your new dentures would be relatively small.

Prolonged use of an ill-fitting dentures can irritate the gums, tongue and cheek, and may cause the ridges of your mouth to shrink to the point where it will be almost impossible to fit you with normal dentures.

Generally, the more dramatic the changes that are necessary to restore proper appearance and function, the longer the adaptation period. When you look at the consequences of an ill-fitting denture, the short adjustment period is not so bad.

Will I be able to function normally with dentures?

Your denturist will be able to provide you with an accurate prognosis after conducting a proper oral examination. Generally speaking, having sufficient ridge height with no mobile tissue and good muscle control will lead to a more favorable outcome in terms of fit and function. Multiple other factors beyond the actual fit of the denture will influence the level of success you will experience. Denture wearers dealing with dry mouth issues will generally notice looseness and discomfort issues. For first time denture wearers, having realistic expectations is vital. Complete denture are never as efficient as natural teeth or even partial dentures. Success with full dentures is equally dependent on adaptability as it is on actual fit. If you are struggling with dentures and it is not related to a denture design issue then dental implants can offer a more definitive treatment option to address comfort and/or movement issues. Although dentures may not be a treatment option you want to consider it is never a good idea to wait till your teeth fall out on their own. If you have been given a hopeless prognosis for your natural teeth, waiting too long will mean that you will continue to lose valuable supportive bone height resulting in a poorer fit.