Missing Teeth » Dentures
If you have a few or all of your teeth missing, one solution is to have a denture. A denture is made from hard-wearing material that mimics the look of teeth and gums to give you mouth a natural appearance. Your denture will be made to fit snugly on your gums and you will be able to remove it for cleaning.
When you wear a denture for the first time it may get some getting used to when speaking or eating and chewing. It is important that you take extra care in your hygiene regime so that you can avoid bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease. The hygienist will be able to show you how to best take care of your denture and gums and will tell you about specialised brushes you can use to do this.
Dentures (also known as false teeth) are prosthetic devices constructed to replace missing teeth, and which are supported by the surrounding soft and hard tissues of the mouth.
Tooth loss can occur for many reasons (gum disease, decay or trauma). Dentures have been used to replace missing teeth for many years now. The loss of your teeth can have negative effects on your self-confidence, your ability to chew food and your bite. Since your teeth provide structure and support to your cheeks, tooth loss can also result in the sagging of your cheeks and make you appear older than you actually are. Dentures are removable replacements for your teeth, designed to look and function like your own natural teeth and surrounding gum tissues. At Conway House we pride ourselves in making dentures that are very realistic, natural and comfortable.Types of dentures
When all your teeth are missing, a complete denture is used to replace them, whereas if only a few teeth need replacing, a partial denture is used. Partial dentures can prevent your existing healthy teeth from shifting following tooth loss.
Dentures are generally fabricated from acrylic resins. However, with advances in modern cosmetic dentistry, there are a wide variety of materials available for dentures, and our dentists will give you some options, including the latest flexible Valplast cosmetic dentures. Chrome Dentures (Metal based dentures) can also be used to provide extra retention and stability for the denture.
Valplast flexible dentures
These are comfortable and non rigid dentures. The innovation of the Valplast flexible denture allows the denture to adapt to the constant movement and flexibility of the mouth. These dentures are virtually invisible and very flexible.
Holding dentures in place
Dentures should be held in place by their natural suction to your gums; sometimes a fixative may also be used. Dentures can be fixed securely in place by dental implants or mini implants, which can give you the confidence to eat whatever you want without having to worry about your dentures coming loose or falling out.
How should I look after my dentures?
It is important to keep your dentures clean at all times. You should remove your dentures at night to give your gums "a rest" and the chance for them to be exposed to your natural saliva, which will keep them healthy. It is highly recommended that you brush your dentures and soak them in a glass of cold water whilst you aren't wearing them. You can add special cleaning tablets to the water when you soak your dentures. Always brush your dentures before putting them back into your mouth. If your dentures begin to collect debris or stains that you cannot remove by normal brushing then our dentist will be able to inspect the denture and possibly organise to clean the dentures for you. It is important to visit your dentist regularly to ensure that your dentures are in good condition and continue to fit your gums, as the shape of your gums and underlying bone can change with time. Loose fitting dentures can cause irritation and inflammation of your gums and problems with eating and speech.
How long do dentures last?
This depends on many factors, including how you take care of them and also how much you use them in terms of general wear and tear. Over time, dentures can become loose as your gums shrink and your bite changes. Denture teeth can also wear down. When this happens, you may need a new set of dentures, or in some cases, a simple modification of your existing dentures may solve the problem. One of our dentists will be able to inspect your dentures for you and provide their opinion.
On your first appointment, one of our dentists will assess your needs and thoroughly examine your mouth for suitability for dentures. You may need dental treatment to get your teeth and gums into good health before commencing any treatment.
A dental technician will make your dentures to your dentist's exact specifications. An upper or lower denture can take about 6 weeks to complete with an appointment each week. (The dentures can be made quicker if required.) At each visit various impressions and denture try in's are completed before moving onto the next stage. Your dentist will liase closely with the dental technician throughout this period. The result will be an outstanding denture which is both comfortable and natural looking. If possible you will be required to visit the technician in order to obtain a shade matching of the denture so that they look as natural as possible.
In cases where teeth need to be extracted, the structure of your gums and surrounding tissues need to heal before your final dentures are made. In such cases, an immediate temporary denture will be placed to enable the gums and surrounding tissue to heal properly. Immediate dentures can be easily modified during the healing process, which could take several months.
A full written estimate will be provided prior to the commencement of treatment.