dentures in woodstock, ga

A denture is a removable substitute for missing teeth and adjacent tissues. It is constructed from acrylic resin, in some cases in combination with a variety of metals.

Varieties Of Dentures

Complete dentures replace all the teeth, while a partial denture fills in the gaps created by missing teeth and keeps other teeth from shifting.

Candidates for complete dentures have depleted most or all their teeth. A partial denture is suitable for those who have a few natural teeth remaining. A denture improves chewing capacity and speech, and provides support for facial muscles. It will significantly boost the facial look and smile.

Complete or full dentures are prepared when all of your natural teeth are missing. You may have a full denture on your upper or lower jaw, or both.

Complete dentures are considered “conventional” or “immediate” depending on when they are made and when they are inserted inside the mouth. Immediate dentures are inserted immediately after the removal of the remaining teeth. To make this possible, the dentist takes measurements and makes the models of the patient’ s jaws during a preliminary visit.

An advantage of immediate dentures is that the person wearing them does not have to go without teeth during the healing time period. Nonetheless, bones and gums can dwindle with time, especially during the duration of healing in the first six months following the removal of teeth. When gums diminish, immediate dentures may demand rebasing or relining to fit appropriately. A typical denture can then be made once the tissues have healed. Healing may take at least 6-8 weeks.

An overdenture is a removable denture that fits over a few of lingering natural teeth or implants. The natural teeth need to be readied to provide balance and support for the denture

Partial dentures are commonly a choice when many teeth are missing.

Extractible partial dentures usually are composed of substitution teeth affixed to pink or gum-colored plastic bases, which are linked by metal structure. Detachable partial dentures attach to your natural teeth with metal clasps or instruments called precision attachments. Precision attachments are typically more aesthetic than metal clasps and are almost invisible. Crowns on your natural teeth may strengthen the fit of a removable partial denture and they are typically required with attachments. Partials with precision attachments generally cost more than those with metal clasps.

How Are Dentures Made?

The denture process takes approximately one month and five appointments: the primary examination is made; an impression and a wax bite are produced to establish vertical dimensions and proper jaw placement; a “try-in” is placed to ensure proper color, shape and fit; and the patient’ s final denture is placed, following any modest adjustments.

First, a mold of your jaw is created using specific materials. Additionally, measurements are made to demonstrate how your jaws relate to one another and how much space is between them (bite relationship). The color or shade of your normal teeth will also be determined. The impression, bite and shade are provided to the dental laboratory so a denture can be customized for your mouth.

The dental laboratory creates a mold or model of your jaw, sets the teeth in a wax base, and sculpts the wax to the specific form wanted in the completed denture Commonly a “wax try-in” of the denture will be handled at the dentist’ s office so any modifications can be done before the denture is completed.

The denture is finalized at the dental laboratory using the “lost wax” technique. A mold of the wax-up denture is made, the wax is removed and the lingering space is filled with pink plastic in dough form. The mold is then heated up to harden the plastic. The denture is then buffed and ready for wear.

Getting Used To Your Eenture

For the early couple of weeks, a new denture may feel awkward or cumbersome. Nevertheless, your mouth will eventually become familiar with using it. Putting in and removing the denture will require some training. Your denture should effortlessly fit into place. Never drive the partial denture into position by biting down. This could bend or break the clasps.

At first, you may be requested to wear your denture constantly. Although this may be temporarily annoying, it is the quickest way to identify those denture portions that may need modification. If the denture places too much pressure on a particular area, that spot will become irritated. Your denture can be adapted to fit more pleasantly. After making corrections, you may need to take the denture out of your mouth before going to bed and replace it in the morning.

Start by eating delicate foods that are divided into small pieces. Chew on both sides of the mouth to keep adequate, even pressure on the denture. Stay clear of sticky or hard foods, including gum.

Care Of Your Denture

It’s most ideal to stand over a folded towel or a sink of water when handling your denture, just in the event you accidentally drop it. Brush the denture (preferably with a denture brush) daily to remove food deposits and plaque, and keep it from becoming permanently tarnished. Avoid using a brush with hard bristles, which can damage the denture. Search for denture cleansers with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. Pay special focus to cleaning teeth that fit under the denture’s metal clasps. Plaque that is entraped under the clasps will increase the risk of cavities.

Hand soap or gentle dishwashing solution to clean dentures is also acceptable. Other types of home cleaners and many toothpastes are too rough and should not be used for cleaning dentures. A denture could lose its correct shape if it is not kept damp. At night, the denture should be placed in soaking solution or water. However, if the appliance has metal attachments, they could be tarnished if placed in soaking solution.

Even with complete dentures, you still must take good care of your mouth. Each and every morning, brush your gums, tongue and palate with a soft-bristled toothbrush before you place in your dentures. This gets rid of plaque and encourages circulation in the mouth. Choosing a balanced diet for proper nutrition is also important for preserving a healthy mouth.

Adjustments

Eventually, adjusting the denture may be required. As you grow older, your mouth naturally changes, which can impact the fit of the denture. Your bone and gum ridges can retreat or shrink, resulting in a loose-fitting denture. Loose dentures can cause different problems, including sores or infections. Dentures that do not fit properly can be adjusted. Avoid using a do-it-yourself kit to adjust your dentures, as this can damage the apparatus beyond repair. Adhesives sold otc often contain damaging chemicals and should not be used on a denture.

If your denture no longer fits effectively, if it cracks, cracks or chips, or if one of the teeth becomes loose, see your dentist as soon as possible. In a lot of cases, dentists can make needed adjustments or repairs, often on the same day. Difficult repairs may require that the denture be sent to a special dental laboratory.

With time, dentures will need to be realigned, re-based, or re-made because of regular wear. To reline or re-base a denture, the dentist uses the existing denture teeth and refits the denture base or makes a new denture base. Dentures may have to be switched out if they become loose and the teeth show signs of considerable wear.

Common Concerns

Eating will take a little practice. Start with soft foods cut into small pieces. Chew slowly using both sides of your mouth simultaneously to prevent the dentures from tipping. As you become familiar with chewing, add other foods until you go back to your normal diet.

Continue to chew food using both sides of the mouth at the same time. Be careful with hot or hard foods and sharp-edged bones or shells.

Some people fret about how dentures will affect their speech. Consider how your speech is afflicted when you have a number of your natural teeth missing.

Vocalizing particular words may require practice. Reading out loud and repeating problematic words will help. If your dentures “click” while you ‘re speaking, speak more slowly. You may find that your dentures occasionally slip when you laugh, cough or smile. Rearrange the dentures by gently biting down and swallowing. If a speaking problem persists, speak with your dentist.

Denture Adhesives

Denture glues can provide extra retention for well-fitting dentures. Denture adhesives are not the solution for old, ill-fitting dentures. A poorly fitting denture, which causes constant irritation over an extended period, may trigger the development of sores. These dentures may need a reline or need to be replaced. If your dentures start to feel loose, or cause pronounced discomfort, speak with your dentist immediately.