The step by step guide to dentures

Cosmetic Dentures: A step by Step guide to your denture procedure  Your smile is one of the most noticeable features on your face and the first thing someone will observe when they speak to you. Consequently, having missing or decaying teeth can seriously affect your confidence and overall self-esteem.  Cosmetic dentures are thus a perfect way to restore your smile and overall confidence, in a cost-effective and non time intensive manner.  In light of this, we understand that you may be seeking additional information regarding the process of getting dentures, which is why we’re providing this step-by-step guide, so you know what to expect at each stage of the process.  What are dentures? Dentures are replacements for missing teeth that can be taken out and put back into your mouth.  Unlike implants, dentures do not look and feel exactly the same as your natural teeth, but their appearance and function have been developed extensively over the past decade to make them look and feel better than ever.  There are two main types of dentures: full and partial. Your dentist will help you choose the type of denture that works best for you based on whether you are needing a small or larger proportion of your teeth replaced.  Full denture: A full denture is placed over your mouth after remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed.  Partial Denture: A partial denture rests on a metal framework that attaches to your natural teeth, serving as an anchor for the dentures.  The Denture Procedural Process:  How does the denture process work?  Consultation  The process starts with a consultation, where your dentist will examine your bone structure, gum tissues and existing teeth. They may also take an X-ray of your mouth to determine what type of dentures you need, whether partial or full.  The dentist will then take an impression of your mouth as well as measurements of your facial contours and features of your mouth too. Initial Fitting  After the impressions have been complete, the dentures are then made. During the initial fitting you will get the opportunity for the dentures to be set in a wax base and then inserted in your mouth to examine how the dentures fit and their overall aesthetic.  Once you and the dentist have approved the overall design, they can be fitted into their final acrylic base to make them look as naturalistic as possible.  Final Fitting  During the final fitting, the dentist will analyze the overall fit of the dentures in your mouth and their comfort with the additional acrylic base. This is the opportunity for you to retest the comfort of the dentures and decide whether any adjustments need to be made. It must be noted that the dentures will feel strange at first and may take some time to get used to.  How long do dentures last?  On average, the lifespan of dentures is around 5-7 years. These cosmetic procedures will need to be remade and relined due to normal wear over a period of time.  Your dentures will also need to be rebased, which involves a dentist creating a new base, whilst still keeping the existing dentures within your mouth.  As you age, your mouth naturally changes, causing the dentures to loosen, making chewing difficult and irritating to your gums. It is therefore imperative that you visit your dentists for regular check ups to ensure your teeth are in a healthy and hygienic condition, to safeguard you from any possible irregularities with these cosmetic procedures.   Top Tips for caring for your dentures Visiting the dentist is integral for the overall maintenance of dentures, however there are also a range of things you can do to keep your dentures in the best possible condition. These include; 

• Standing over a towel or basin of water when handling dentures. They can be extremely delicate and may break if dropped. 
• Keeping your dentures moisturized at all times. You can do this by placing them in a cleanser soaking solution or in water when you’re not wearing them. However, never use hot water - this can warp the dentures making them unusable.
• Brushing your dentures daily. This will remove food products and plaque - maintaining an overall clean and healthy aesthetic. 
• Brushing your gums, tongue and plate every morning too. This will stimulate circulation in your tissues and help remove plaque. 

For more information regarding our denture procedures, visit our dentures pages or alternatively call Procopio Towle Dental Office at (925) 933-5677.