Dentures Springfield

What are dentures?

Types of Dentures

• A conventional denture is made after all teeth have been extracted and the tissues (gums) have healed.
• An immediate denture is made and inserted immediately after the teeth are extracted and the tissues are allowed to heal under the denture.

The teeth are made of plastic, porcelain, or a combination of both. A complete denture can be attached to dental implants to allow for a more secure fit of the appliance.

Over the normal course of time, a denture will wear out and need to be replaced or relined in order to keep it fitting well and looking natural. After losing teeth, the remaining bone and gum ridges in our mouth recede and change shape. When this happens, dentures often become loose and difficult to keep in place. The teeth become worn out after years of use and no longer maintain the height of our jaws and cheeks. Loose dentures can often be stabilized with dental implants. Regular dental examinations are still important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissues can be checked for disease or change.

Slide to compare before and after image set #1

How do I care for my dentures?

• Your dentist is qualified to evaluate your oral health needs and adjust your denture or partial. Please do not attempt denture adjustments yourself at home.
• All types of Dentures should be brushed inside and outside daily with water and a soft nylon denture brush with round-ended bristles to remove plaque and debris.
• Avoid cleaning dentures with toothpaste, which are abrasive and will scratch your denture. Use products specially made to clean dentures, often by soaking them in solution.
• Do not use bleach, mouthwashes, or other products not intended for cleaning dentures.
• Inspect your denture regularly for cracks in the acrylic and worn teeth.
• Worn denture teeth will be less effective for chewing and make you look older. Worn teeth should be replaced with new teeth or with a new denture.
• Discuss all your current medications with your dental professional. Inadequate saliva can make a denture uncomfortable.
• Be sure to visit your dentist regularly as they check the health of your gum and bone tissues and any remaining natural teeth or implants.
• Loose dentures can cause friction and uneven pressure on the gum tissues and bones, accelerating bone loss. If you need to use a large amount of denture adhesive, it may be time to have the dentures relined with new plastic to improve their fit.
• Dentures should be removed at night to reduce stress to any remaining teeth and the jaw bone. This also allows the gum tissues to stay healthier.
• The gum tissue in your mouth where teeth are missing should be brushed gently with a soft brush daily to remove any plaque and debris.
• When not in use, place dentures in water or fresh denture cleaning solution to prevent them from drying out.
• Most dental insurance policies provide coverage for new dentures every 5 years.