Dentures are appliances that replace lost teeth and which can be removed from the mouth. Dentures are called “partial” if some of your own teeth are remaining and “full” if none remain.
If you have already lost some teeth and have a partial denture, take great care of those that are left. When some teeth have already been lost there is more strain put on those remaining.Sometimes, Implants and attachments can be used to reduce the stress on the remaining teeth and so help you keep them for longer.

Partial dentures are normally best made on a metal base to make them stronger and thinner and to enable small metal retaining clasps to be used.These also help to keep the denture away from the margin of teeth and gums. This is a sensitive area where further tooth loss frequently starts.

The denture is made using manufactured teeth in a range of shades and shapes that your clinician will help you choose. These are then skilfully processed into an acrylic base that is made to fit the anatomy of your own mouth.

Full upper dentures are mainly kept in position by suction, whereas the lower denture is kept in place by your tongue and muscles.

Denture wearers therefore often have more trouble with their lower dentures. It takes time getting used to new dentures and they often need several adjustments.

Always discuss any concerns with your clinician.Another way of making dentures more retentive is by using implants. These are special titanium posts that screw into the jaw. A number of different means of attaching the denture to them can be used including miniature magnetic attachments within the denture itself. Your dentist will be able to advise you both on the suitability of the above to your own particular clinical situation as well as the costs of your treatment.

Q )What is a denture?

Ans = A denture is an appliance which is worn to replace lost or missing teeth to enable you to enjoy a healthy diet and smile with confidence. A complete or full denture is one which replaces all of the natural teeth in either the upper or lower jaws. A partial denture fills in the spaces created by lost or missing teeth and is attached to your natural teeth with metal clasps or devices called precision attachments.

Q ) What are dentures made of?

Ans = The base of a denture is called a plate and can be made of either acrylic (plastic) or metal. The teeth are normally made of acrylic and can be made to match your natural teeth. This is especially important in the case of partial dentures.

Q ) Will dentures make me look different?

Ans = Dentures can be made to closely resemble your natural teeth so that little change in appearance will be noticeable. Modern dentures may even improve the look of your smile and help fill out the appearance of your face.

Q )Will I be able to eat with dentures?

Ans = Eating will take a little practice. Start with soft foods cut into small pieces. Chew slowly using both sides of your mouth at the same time to prevent the denture from moving. As you become more used to your denture, add other foods until you return to your normal healthy diet.

Q )Will dentures change how I speak?

Ans = Pronouncing certain words may require practice. Reading out loud and repeating difficult words will help.If you find that your dentures occasionally slip when you laugh, cough or smile, reposition the denture by gently biting down and swallowing. If this continues consult your dentist.

Q )How long should I wear my dentures?

Ans = During the first few days, you may be advised to wear them for most of the time, including while you are asleep. After an initial period of adjustment your dentist may advise that you remove them before going to bed. This allows your gums to rest and helps promote oral health.

Q )Should I use a denture fixative?

Ans = Dentures are custom made to fit your mouth and a denture fixative should not be necessary. However, over a period, dentures may become loose and ill-fitting or lack of retention due to bone loss or some medication, a fixative may be used for a short period prior to having them replaced. A poorly fitting denture may cause irritation and possible sores, this can often happen if you have worn Immediate Dentures for some time.

Q )Must I do anything special to care for my mouth?

Ans = Even with full dentures, you still need to take good care of your mouth. Every morning and evening, brush your gums, tongue and palate (roof of your mouth) with a soft –bristled brush. This removes plaque and stimulates circulation in the mouth. It is vitally important that partial denture wearers brush their teeth thoroughly every day to prevent tooth decay and gum disease that can lead to further teeth being lost.

Q )What is the difference between conventional and Immediate Dentures?

Ans = Conventional dentures are made and inserted after teeth have been removed and the tissues have healed. Healing may take several months.Immediate Dentures are inserted immediately after teeth have been removed. To do this, the dentist takes measurements and impressions of your mouth during a preliminary visit An advantage of Immediate Dentures is that the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, bone and gums can shrink over time, especially during the first six months after teeth have been removed. When gums shrink, Immediate Dentures may require relining or even replacing to fit properly.

Q )What will dentures feel like?

Ans = New dentures may feel awkward or even uncomfortable for a few weeks until you become accustomed to them. The dentures may feel loose while the muscles of your cheek and tongue learn to keep them in place. Should this continue, consult your dental care provider.

It is not unusual to experience minor irritation or soreness during this period. You may also find that saliva flow temporarily increases. As your mouth becomes accustomed to the dentures, these problems should diminish. If any problems persist, particularly irritation or soreness, be sure to consult your dental care provider.

Q )How do I take care of my dentures?

Ans = The general rule is: brush, soak, brush. Always clean your dentures over a bowl of water or a folded towel in case you drop them. Brush your dentures before soaking, to help remove any food debris. The use of an effervescent denture cleaner will help remove stubborn stains and leave your denture feeling fresher – always follow the manufacturers’ instructions - then brush the dentures again, as you would your own teeth, being careful not to scrub too hard as this may cause grooves in the surface. Most Clinical Dental Technicians advice using a denture brush. Make sure you clean all the surfaces of the dentures, including the surface which comes into contact with your gums. This is especially important if you use any kind of denture fixative. If you notice a build up of stains or scale, have your denture cleaned by your dentist or hygienist.

Q )Will my dentures need to be replaced?

Ans = Over a period of time, dentures will need to be relined or re-made due to normal wear or a change in the shape of your mouth. Bone and gum ridges can recede or shrink causing jaws to align differently. Loose dentures can cause health problems, including sores and infections not to mention discomfort. A loose or ill-fitting denture can also make eating and speaking more difficult. It is important to replace worn or poorly fitting dentures before they cause problems.

Q )How often should I see my dentist/practitioner?

Ans = Regular dental check-ups and having your teeth professionally cleaned are vital for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, most dentists recommend that under normal circumstances this should be done every 6 months. Full denture wearers should consult their dentist as to the frequency of visits.

With regular professional care, a positive attitude and persistence, you can become one of the millions of people who wear their dentures with a smile.

Your speech may be altered and eating with your new dentures may be a problem. Your mouth is very sensitive to change. Your gums will take about 7 days, your tongue and checks can take up to 3 months to become accustomed to your new dentures depending on the changes made, your gums/ridges and any medications you are taking.

With all lower dentures there is a tendency at first for the tongue and lower jaw muscles to displace it. This will take time for you tongue, muscles and checks to adjust, some adjustments after your dentures are fitted maybe required.

Ulcers and sore spots will usually appear within the first few days, this can be treated with a salt water rinses, warm water with a couple of tea spoons of salt rinse 3-5 times a day, when the denture is rubbing against your skin, your skin will adjust to the fit of your denture, if after 7 days your ulcer or sore spot has not receded then contact us, your denture may need adjustment

Patients frequently report that the sense of taste is affected when they wear dentures. As you become more accustomed to your dentures your taste will improve.

Speaking may seem strange or even difficult at first. This is because your tongue has to learn where the teeth are. If you are finding it difficult to adjust it is a good idea to read aloud to yourself whilst looking in a mirror for short periods during the first few days. Remember there is no need to be embarrassed about speaking, other people is much less aware than you are.

When you begin eating with your new dentures, it is important to start slowly, it is difficult to master new dentures. Dentures only rest on the bone. When chewing on one side you may notice a tendency for the dentures to tip and loosen on the opposite side. Attempt to chew food on both sides with the teeth. This will help prevent tipping of your dentures. Provided that you are patient and spend the necessary time practising, you will learn to control the dentures automatically by using the muscles in your mouth.

With some new dentures it may have been necessary to increase the height of the, with a change such as this you will have to develop new chewing habits compared to your old dentures. You should be started off with eating food that does not need any hard chewing. Also take smaller mouthfuls and chew slowly and evenly. Cut the food into smaller pieces that can easily be put into your mouth. You may also have difficulty with very thin foods such as lettuce and the skins of apples or tomatoes. You will find apples easy to eat if you first peel them and cut them into slices or quarters.

Dentures are made of porcelain or plastic teeth specially selected for size, shape and colour to conform to your facial characteristics. A plastic or metal base usually holds together and supports these teeth on your gums. (The better quality teeth and bases not only look more natural, they are also more hard wearing - please ask for more information).

Because an artificial denture is a new object in the mouth you may at first develop an excessive flow of saliva. This reaction is perfectly natural and after a while it will reduce as you become accustomed to the dentures. The best way to overcome this temporary discomfort is to persevere in wearing the dentures. The use of a peppermint candy or gum helps. In any case, if you bear in mind that a flow of saliva has always been going on unnoticed in your mouth before you started to use your dentures, you will quickly realise that it is quite a normal condition. The dentures also require a certain amount of saliva to work properly. A dry mouth, also called Xerostomia, may cause the dentures to feel loose and occasionally sore as well. See your medical doctor should this condition exist. Occasionally patients will complain of a burning sensation in the roof of the mouth. This appears to be much more common with women. Sometimes the burning sensation appears shortly after the delivery of the dentures, or sometimes it may be weeks before this problem occurs. Most patients report that it disappears when the dentures are removed from the mouth. There is no question of the discomfort that this condition creates. While the burning sensation undoubtedly has been triggered by the dentures, it obviously involves a nerve condition beyond the control of any Clinical Dental Technician. As yet, no specific cure is known. Observations indicate that it will continue for a few months or as long as two years and then disappear. Consulting a physician is indicated.

You may find that your mouth may become sore when you are wearing the dentures. This is because new denture will settle into the tissue allowing your gums to reshape themselves to the shape of the new dentures. This process generally takes seven to fourteen days. When necessary an appointment will be given for inspection so that all the necessary adjustments can be made. How to clean your dentures

Regular cleaning can help to prevent plaque build up, when cleaning half fill the wash-basin with water so that if the denture slips from your hands the water will cushion the fall. clean your dentures each day with soap and water, brushing with a soft denture brush after each meal, you can soak them in one of the specialised products available at the chemists (always read the manufactures instructions).

The fragile lower denture should not be held in the palm of the hand as you could squeeze it and break it in half - hold it with two fingers and the thumb.
Do not clean your dentures by soaking in bleach or boiling water, do not use any toothpaste with an abrasive action or a brush which is too hard. This results in wear on the plastic.

Dentures should not be worn at night, this can reduce the air to your gums and increase bacteria growth under the denture, however if you find that your jaws or the muscles of the face ache, or you suffer from sleep apnoea without your dentures in - then leave them in . It is very important to brush your gums every morning and clean your denture.

Even if your mouth becomes sore, please be sure to wear your dentures for the whole of the day before your appointment, otherwise it may be difficult to tell where the pressure spot is. At first you may also find that you bite your checks or tongue, but this usually corrects itself after a short time when the muscles have adjusted themselves to the new support. Depending on the amount and rate of change occurring in the mouth an individual may require up to four adjustment appointments and up to one month to adapt to new dentures. Clenching and grind your teeth in your sleep, will reduce the life span of your dentures

Partial dentures should be left out at night

Because of these changes, the ridges alter in shape, size and alignment to each other. Some ridges are square or rounded in shape (cross section) with smooth regular surfaces. These are generally the most favourable, such as the flat or small v-shaped ridges which offer little or no denture support. Also sharp bony irregular surfaces, or soft fleshy mouths offer poor support for dentures, and are often associated with painful dentures! The palate shape also influences the fit and suction of the upper denture. The square or rounded sections being more favourable than the small flat or deep v-shaped palates.