Dentures

Dentures are removable substitutes for missing teeth usually made out of an acrylic resin which sometimes incorporate porcelain or metal for additional structural support. The proper maintaining of your dentures will provide you a natural look and a perfect smile. Dentures may be used to replace teeth that are missing for any reason, including injury, tooth decay or periodontal disease.

Benefits
• having a smile with a very natural appearance
• dentures help strengthen your face muscles controlling your expressions that require the support of your teeth, rid you of pronunciation problems and aid with chewing efficiency, caused by missing teeth
• made of very durable materials and last very long when properly taken care of

Who is this procedure for?
Whether you’ve lost, or are losing, all of your teeth, a denture is something to discuss with your cosmetic dentist. If some of your teeth remain and are healthy, a partial denture may be your way to a great smile in detriment to bad breath, significant difficulty chewing and the frustration of a healthy smiling.

Who should not consider this procedure?
There are no major constraints regarding new dentures but in general people undergoing certain medical treatments, diabetic people, those suffering from mental disorders or those not capable of respecting a proper maintaining of the denture might not be subjects for it. However, these special cases are discussed and taken into account during the appointment before the procedure.

What happens before the procedure?
Before a denture is created and placed, a patient needs to have an initial consultation and evaluation by a dentist or a prosthodontist. This will include a comprehensive dental examination, a medical and dental history, X-rays and even impressions of the teeth may be taken. This information will allow the dentist and patient to discuss options and preferences and to establish other parameters such as the shade, size and shape of the teeth that will be placed on the new dentures.

What happens during the procedure?
Most likely, it is somewhat common to require for some teeth to be extracted, and surgery in some cases is necessary to improve the bony ridges that stabilize your dentures. The procedure begins with a wax bite impression of your mouth that will give your dentist exacting measurements and the opportunity to see how the denture looks and works. A final appointment with the dentist will fine tunes color, shape, and custom-fit. When everything is perfect, your final dentures are fabricated; they will be placed and informed of their required care.

What happens after the procedure?
As it is expected, most patients need time to adjust to their dentures. The most probable secondary effects (but not major) would be that patients may feel loose until their facial muscles and tongue learn to help secure the dentures or when they cough, sneeze, yawn or laugh so that dentures may feel bulky and awkward at first, feeling some discomfort and soreness at first, but this will improve over time. Patients may need to make some changes in their eating habits, like cutting foods into small pieces; certain foods may need to be avoided. Speaking is recommended, in order to adapt to the new denture.