The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth
Missing one or more of your teeth can leave you with sagging facial muscles and a much older appearance. It can also make it harder to pronounce certain words and impact your ability to chew, limiting your food choices.
Leaving a gap in your smile can also lead to a host of oral health problems. The neighboring teeth may start shifting toward the empty space, resulting in crooked teeth that are harder to clean, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Moreover, the shift in your teeth can affect your bite, posing a strain on your remaining teeth, jaws, and muscles and increasing the risk of tooth wear or fracture.
Replacing missing teeth with complete or partial dentures can restore your ability to chew, speak, and smile with confidence. Your new restorations will prevent any remaining teeth from shifting, safeguarding your oral health. They will also support your facial structure, maintaining your youthful contours.
What Are Complete Dentures?
Complete Dentures, also known as full dentures, are removable oral appliances designed to replace an entire arch of missing teeth. They rely on suction or your facial muscles for support. Complete dentures typically consist of gum-colored bases supporting artificial teeth that are carefully matched to natural teeth. At Celes Dental Studio, we offer two types of full dentures: immediate and conventional.
Immediate Dentures: At times, we may need to extract any remaining damaged teeth before placing your dentures. Immediate dentures are positioned in your mouth right after tooth extraction, ensuring you don’t go without teeth a single day. As the area heals, the gum and bone will change shape, so your dentures may require adjustments and relining to continue providing a comfortable fit and optimal function. We typically recommend wearing these interim restorations until your gums heal and you are ready for conventional dentures.
Conventional Dentures: Conventional dentures are more durable and comfortable than immediate dentures. We craft them from the highest quality material after your natural teeth are extracted and your gums fully heal. That ensures we take into account the subtle details of your gums and bite. Conventional dentures offer a snug and comfortable fit, allowing you to enjoy your favorite foods and regain your confident smile. With proper care, your new restorations can continue to enhance your smile for many years.
What Are Partial Dentures?
Partial dentures are oral devices designed to replace one or some of your teeth when some natural, healthy teeth remain. Your new restorations will fill gaps in your smile, enhancing your oral health and the appearance of your smile. At Celes Dental Studio, we offer two types of removable partial dentures: traditional and Valplast.
Traditional Partials: These are the most common type of partial dentures. They are tailor-made to fit your mouth and come with metal clasps or precision attachments for support and stability. Your new restoration will blend seamlessly with your remaining natural teeth, ensuring a natural-looking smile. Traditional partial dentures are known for their durability and longevity.
Valplast Partials: Valplast partials offer an excellent alternative for individuals with metal allergies or periodontal disease. They are constructed from a flexible, biocompatible material that’s lightweight, comfortable, and metal-free. While Valplast partials provide aesthetics and comfort, they may not be as durable as traditional partials, and proper care is essential to ensure their longevity.
How Are Dentures Made?
Dentures are custom-made for each patient at Celes Dental Studio. A dental impression is taken of your mouth and is sent to a dental laboratory for your denture to be made. It is common to have a few follow-up adjustment appointments. You may need some time before you are completely adapted to your new full denture. Dr. Bakshi in Western Springs, IL will check your speech and adjust any spots that may be irritating your gums. Some patients require practice eating and speaking, before they are comfortable with their new denture.
How Long Do Dentures Last?
Throughout your lifetime, your denture will need to be relined, remade or rebased, due to wear that occurs each day. Relining or rebasing is the process of reshaping the denture to make sure that it is comfortable and functional for your needs. As you age, your mouth naturally changes and reshapes which may cause your dentures to loosen. Loose dentures may irritate your gums and wiggle when you are chewing. This is why it’s so important to see Dr. Bakshi for your recommended checkups at Celes Dental Studio when you have dentures.
How Should I Care for My Dentures?
To ensure that your dentures last and look their best, please follow the instructions below:
- If possible, remove and rinse your dentures every time after eating, to remove food debris.
- After removing your dentures, make sure to also clean your mouth. Brush your natural teeth and wipe your tongue and palate with gauze.
- Brush your dentures twice a day to remove food, plaque and bacteria from their surface. This will also help prevent them from staining.
- Scrub your dentures with denture cleaner and a denture brush to remove plaque and bacteria. Avoid harsh toothpaste and toothbrushes, since they can damage your dentures. Do not use whitening pastes with removable dentures, since they can permanently damage them.
- When cleaning your dentures, stand over a full sink of water or a towel to prevent dentures from breaking, if dropped.
- Brush your gums, roof of your mouth and tongue to prevent any bacteria from building up in your mouth. Fungal infections are common with denture wearers, if the mouth clean is not kept clean.
- During the cleaning process, make sure that you do not bend the plastic or the clasps of your denture or partial denture.
- In order to keep their shape, most dentures need to stay moist. Make sure you place your dentures in water or a soaking solution overnight. Ask Dr. Bakshi about how to make your dentures last and stay fresh looking.
- Rinse your dentures after you have soaked them and before you put them in your mouth, in order to remove chemicals.