Dentures

COMPLETE DENTURES When a person becomes totally edentulous i.e. when all the teeth are removed, complete dentures should be made for the person to wear. Dentures are an acceptable solution, but no match for our real teeth. Hence we always try to save natural teeth. When the teeth are removed we are left with a ridge of bone on the upper and lower parts of our mouth,that we can use to put false teeth on.The lower denture always takes a little more work for most patients to get used to for two reasons lack of height of bone and prescence of the tongue. The tongue increases in size in an edentulous mouth and it resists any new encumberence to its unchallenged domain. In the upper ridge however there are no such interferences. Many denture wearing patients have the habit of comparing their dentures with other people's denture,this is undesirable as two denture wearers cannot have the same degree of acceptibility. We strongly feels that "success of a denture lies more in the attitude of the patient than the construction of the denture" other factors like diabetes, submucous fibrosis and other debilitating diseases also contribute to the success of a denture.

REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES An important step in maintaining a healthy smile and good chewing is to replace missing teeth. When missing teeth are not replaced , the remaining ones can change position, drifting into the surrounding space. Teeth that are out of position can damage tissues in the mouth. In addition, it may be difficult to clean thoroughly between crooked teeth. As a result, you run the risk of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease, which can lead to the loss of additional teeth. Due the imbalanced occlusion caused by migration of teeth one can have problems in the Temporo Mandibular Joint. In situations where only some teeth are missing we can also use a Removable Partial Denture. A removable partial denture fills in the space created by missing teeth and fills out your smile.It is usually used when the space without teeth is too large for a bridge,or there are no teeth on either side of the gap or for economic reasons.The partial denture locks into place with its metal clasps.A denture helps you to properly chew food, a difficult task when you are missing teeth. In addition, a denture may improve speech and prevent a sagging face by providing support for lips and cheeks. There are two types of these ones made fully of plastic(acrylic) or ones having a metal framework for rigidity and the teeth are the same kind used in full dentures.The latter ones are called Cast Partial Dentures and are much better and expensive.

REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How do you wear a removable partial denture? Removable partial dentures usually consist of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-colored plastic bases, which are connected by metal framework. Removable partial dentures attach to your natural teeth with metal clasps or devices called precision attachments. Precision attachments are generally more esthetic than metal clasps and they are nearly invisible. Crowns on your natural teeth may improve the fit of a removable partial denture and they are usually required with attachments. How long will it take to get used to wearing a denture? For the first few weeks, your new partial denture may feel awkward or bulky. However, your mouth will eventually become accustomed to wearing it. Inserting and removing the denture will require some practice. Follow all instructions. Your denture should fit into place with relative ease. Never force the partial denture into position by biting down. This could bend or break the clasps. How long should I wear the denture? Your dentist will give you specific instructions about how long the denture should be worn and when it should be removed. Initially, you may be asked to wear your partial denture all the time. Although this may be temporarily uncomfortable, it is the quickest way to identify those denture parts that may need adjustment. If the denture puts too much pressure on a particular area, that spot will become sore. Then you need to get the denture adjusted to fit more comfortably. After making adjustments, it is normally recommended that you take the denture out of your mouth before going to bed and replace it in the morning. Will it be difficult to eat with a partial denture? Replacing missing teeth should make eating a more pleasant experience. Start out by eating soft foods that are cut into small pieces. Chew on both sides of the mouth to keep even pressure on the denture. Avoid foods that are extremely sticky or hard. You may want to avoid chewing gum while you adjust to the denture. Will the denture change how I speak? It can be difficult to speak clearly when you are missing teeth. Consequently, wearing a partial denture may help.If you find it difficult to pronounce certain words with your new denture, practice reading out loud. Repeat the words that give you trouble. With time, you will become accustomed to speaking properly with your denture. How do I take care of my denture? Handling a denture requires care. Brush the denture each day to remove food deposits and plaque. Brushing your denture helps prevent the appliance from becoming permanently stained. It's best to use a brush that is designed for cleaning dentures. A denture brush has bristles that are arranged to fit the shape of the denture. A regular, soft-bristled toothbrush is also acceptable. Avoid using a brush with hard bristles, which can damage the denture. We can recommend a denture cleaner. Some people use hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid to clean their dentures, which are both acceptable. Other types of household cleaners and many toothpastes are too abrasive and should not be used for cleaning dentures. Clean your dentures by thoroughly rinsing off loose food particles. Moisten the brush and apply the denture cleaner. Brush all denture surfaces gently to avoid damaging the plastic or bending the attachments. A denture could lose its proper shape if it is not kept moist. At night, the denture should be placed in soaking solution or water.A denture should never be immersed in hot water as it may loose it's shape and never try to tighten or loosen the clasps of a removable partial denture on you own, you are likely to alter a proper fit. Can a denture be used by people with poor ridges (bone)? Yes: People having poor ridges can also wear dentures by using denture adhesives, they are available in powder and paste form. Will my denture need adjusting? Over the time, adjusting the denture may be necessary. As you age, your mouth naturally changes, which can affect the fit of the denture. Your bone and gum ridges can recede or shrink, resulting in a loose-fitting denture.Dentures that do not fit properly should be adjusted. Loose dentures can cause various problems, including sores or infections.If your denture no longer fits properly, if it breaks, cracks or chips, or if one of the teeth becomes loose,you need to see us immediately. In many cases, necessary adjustments or repairs can be made.