You’ve come to the decision that you need dentures. This came after you weighed the pros and cons of that versus dental implants. It may have come down to your budget. Whatever the reason, you are getting dentures.
Now you’re in new territory and might be uncertain about what goes on throughout this. Not to worry – here is a guide about the whole denture process.
Types and Material
There are quite a few choices for you to pick from. The most popular ones are full or partial dentures. Others include implant-supported dentures, overdentures – where they snap onto implant abutments, immediate dentures, custom dentures, and economy dentures, which are generic and can be spotted as dentures while the others are more natural looking.
Dentures are usually made from acrylic resin and the teeth are usually porcelain – though some are made of plastic. The partial ones are made with some metal. There are more flexible materials out there but they are quite difficult to re-line or repair.
The Process
The first thing that will happen is that the dentist will assess the state of your mouth. Are the remaining teeth in good shape or would it be best if they were extracted to make room for a full set of dentures?
It depends if you are getting full or partial dentures and if any tooth extractions are necessary. You may get temporary dentures in the interim while the real ones are made – much like you may get a loaner car while the mechanic works on yours. The loaner will be nothing fancy, but they will be quite serviceable until your dentures come back.
When your real dentures arrive , you will be told to wear them until the next dental appointment. During that follow-up, the dentist will be able to gauge whether or not the dentures are fitting properly and then make any adjustments.
Post-Procedure
It’s going to be a brand-new experience for you as a first-time denture wearer, whatever kind you have. You have something in your mouth that you never had before and it is going to take some getting used to. It will require learning techniques on how to keep the dentures in place and also talking and eating will need some practice until full mastery is achieved.
Although there will be some discomfort at first, it should fade. This can happen after first wearing it and then the re-adjustment after the follow-up visit. If it lingers or crosses over into pain, you should immediately see your dentist. Otherwise you run the risk of infection, which could lead to more problems down the road.
You must take care of dentures – handle them carefully, brush them at least once a day with a soft toothbrush and special toothpaste – this is necessary because regular toothpaste can be abrasive. It’s also important to soak the dentures overnight in a special solution. Doing that will keep them sterile, but rinse the dentures in the morning to get the solution off.
Do not fall for the misconception that once the dentures are in, nothing is going to ever change and you can skip the dentist. Your jaw is going to change over time, and the dentures will eventually shift, requiring a re-lining. You’re likely going to need a new set in five years, but they can last around seven with utmost care being given.
Dental Emergency Room has been making quality dentures for many years. They have serviced Clearwater and Tampa residents, many of whom are thrilled with the state of their mouths afterwards. Give them a call at 727-449-2424 to learn more.
Published By:
Dental Emergency Room
1935 Drew Street
Clearwater, Florida 33765
Columbus, OH 43205
Phone: 727-449-2424
Website: https://www.dentaler.com
Thanks for explaining that we may get temporary dentures while the real ones are made. My mom may need dentures soon to support her facial muscles and allow her to eat more foods. Your article provided a good picture of what she might expect from the process of getting dentures!