FAQs | Denture Clinic in Hamilton | Dental Implants | Shaun Dunn DD
Below are a list of Frequently Asked Questions about Dentures and Denture Care.
If you have any question which is not covered on this page we invite you to contact us directly and we will be happy to help.
We normally place denture teeth in the position of their natural predecessors providing support to the facial muscles. If you are replacing old or worn dentures then you will look and feel different. If you are wearing dentures for the first time and you are replacing lost or damaged teeth you will also look different. However this should look and feel normal within a short period of time.
Depending on the amount of work carried out to help improve your dentures they can affect your speech temporarily. This can be due but not limited to the repositioning of the teeth and the shape of the denture base. There are some simple tricks to help with speech which will be given at the time of denture delivery.
Like anything new, you need time to adapt to your new denture. Chewing is one of the skills that needs to be adapted when you receive your first set of dentures or your replacement dentures. You can help yourself accommodate to this change by taking smaller portions and chewing slowly and avoiding sticky or tough foods for a little while. You should soon see an improvement due to the new dentures being more efficient as the chewing surfaces have less wear.
This is personal preference, however we recommend that you wear your dentures as much as possible. It is widely agreed upon that you should sleep without your dentures, however if you choose to sleep with them in, it is important to keep your denture extremely clean. Remove them at least once a day and brush the tissues underlying the dentures with a soft tooth brush. This removes any plaque build up along with any food debris, it also stimulates the blood vessels which is an essential part of healthy tissue.
Every effort will be made to make your new dentures to fit and be as comfortable as possible. However it is not uncommon to develop pressure points and sore spots. These if left untreated can make the dentures feel very uncomfortable. If you find you have a sore area and it lasts for more than 48 hours, you should seek professional help. A minor adjustment can bring added comfort in a matter of minutes.
Dentures are designed to function in a moist environment, it is therefore not advised to let them the dry out completely. If your dentures are left out of your mouth for any long period of time they should be kept in water.
Dentures are made from very resilient materials but it is recommended to clean them over a basin of water or a towel. This will cushion the fall if they are dropped. Care should also be taken with partials that have clasps as they can sometimes be bent out of shape during heavy brushing. If a partial does not feel comfortable when you place it into your mouth you should get a professional opinion on its fit. Do not try to adjust it yourself.
A healthy mouth can contain many millions of bacteria. Some of these bacteria can cause inflammation and infection of the oral tissues. It is therefore essential to clean dentures at least once a day.
It is advisable to rinse your dentures and your mouth after every meal however at least once a day the dentures should be brushed to remove any plaque accumulation and food debris, and then use a denture soak. It is also advisable to brush your gums to remove any debris including any residual dental adhesive.
There are many brands of denture cleaners on the market and what brand to use is usually down to personal preference. However it should be noted that household bleach and everyday toothpaste can harm the denture. If you notice a lot a tartar or plaque build up you may also use white vinegar to soak your dentures and then brush off any residual build up. Remember that you can have your denture professionally cleaned by a Denturist in a matter of minutes.
Dental implants are titanium replacements for natural roots. Titanium has biocompatible properties which enables natural bone to fuse to it, or integrate. Once an implant has integrated it can be used to carry special attachments to help secure partials or dentures. It is now also widely believed that it also stimulate bone tissue to help maintain a healthy jaw and mouth.
Dental implants stabilize your dentures by attaching to the denture using snap receptors or bars which are attached to the implant fixture and the denture. This can remove any movement during normal chewing function. Dentures can also be screwed directly onto the implant which offers a non removable option.