March 7, 2011 | Dentures are false teeth, made mostly of plastic, that replace missing or lost teeth. Many people assume that they will need dentures as they age, but losing teeth is not a normal part of the aging process. If you care for your teeth well and guard against gum disease, you should be able to keep your teeth for a lifetime. Natural teeth or even parts of natural teeth can help you retain bone in your jaw. They also can act as stable supports for bridges, overdentures or removable partial dentures. Dentures can be either complete or partial. Complete dentures are made for people who have lost all of their teeth. They can be given more support by placement of implants in the bone under the denture. Partial dentures are used to replace only a few teeth and attach to nearby teeth. The good news is that dentures aren’t what they used to be. Newer materials and technology allow dentists to fashion dentures that fit comfortably, appear natural and help you stay healthier.

March 7, 2011 | Dentures are often needed to replace badly damaged teeth and may feel strange at first. In the beginning, your dentist may want to see you often to make sure the dentures fit. Over time, your mouth will change and your dentures may need to be adjusted or replaced. But be sure to let your dentist handle these adjustments. When you are learning to eat with dentures, it may be easier if you start with soft, non-sticky food. Be sure to cut your food into small pieces and chew slowly using both sides of your mouth. Be careful when wearing dentures because they may make it harder for you to feel hot foods and liquids. Keep your dentures free from food that can cause stains or swollen gums. Brush them every day with a denture care product. Take your dentures out at night and put them in water or a denture cleansing liquid. Partial dentures are used to fill in one or more missing teeth so you need to take care of them in the same way as complete dentures.

March 7, 2011 | Dentures come in two forms, complete and partial. Complete dentures cover the entire jaw, either upper or lower. Some people call them “plates.” They rest directly on the gum that covers the bone. Complete dentures are custom made for the patient. The process involves multiple appointments, usually about five. The dentist first takes impressions of the patient’s mouth. At later visits, the patient and the dentist select the size, shape and color of the artificial teeth. Partial dentures, meanwhile, are removable and consist of a metal framework with plastic teeth and gum areas. The framework includes metal clasps or other attachments that hold the denture in place. However, partial dentures are removed easily for cleaning. Fixed partial dentures, which most people call bridges, are cemented in place and look more like natural teeth. Bridges are more expensive than removable partial dentures, however. They also have to be supported by nearby healthy teeth.

March 7, 2011 | When people get dentures for the first time, they sometimes find it difficult to get used to them. They are often concerned that the denture will slip or fall out. Using a denture adhesive can ease some of these worries and can increase confidence about wearing dentures. A denture adhesive, used for a short time, will help the dentures to stay in place while the muscles of the cheeks and tongue “learn” to do this job. Many people feel that their mouth is full of marbles when they put in their dentures for the first few times. You will most likely need to practice speaking. Do this by reading aloud, slowly and quietly, when you are at home. Rest assured that your speech will improve in a fairly short time. You may also notice more saliva in your mouth when you get your new dentures. This is normal and will improve over time. When you sneeze, cough or yawn, your dentures may loosen but this is normal. It does not mean the dentures don’t fit. This too will improve over time.

March 7, 2011 | Regular visits to the dentist are just as important for people with dentures as they are for people with all their natural teeth. Dr. Susan Long, chairman of the UAMS Department of Dental Hygiene, recommends that everyone with dentures should visit a dentist at least every six months. People who visit their doctors more often, such as diabetics or people with compromised immune systems, should visit their dentists more often. Regular visits help ensure that your dentures continue to fit and operate correctly. Your dentist also will examine your mouth for signs of bone loss, oral cancer, infections and other conditions. Your mouth and the bone in your jaw that supports your dentures will continue to change. After many years of denture wear, your jaws, especially your lower jaw, or mandible, become smaller as the bone wears away. This can make your dentures fit poorly. They may become difficult to use. The dentures may need to be relined to improve the fit.