Is it time for you or a loved one to get dentures? If yes, then we’ve got you covered. Read more about our denture services here at Alondra Dental Care.
Complete dentures, also known as full dentures, are dental appliances inserted in the mouth to replace natural teeth and provide support for the cheeks and lips. “Complete” doesn’t mean “eternal,” though, and dentures will experience wear and need to be replaced over time. Dentures support facial muscles and can improve speech, appearance, self-esteem, and, of course, your smile.
Most dentures are made of acrylic and can be fabricated two different ways, either as conventional or immediate dentures. A conventional denture is made after all teeth have been extracted and the tissues have healed. In contrast, as the name indicates, an immediate denture is fabricated and inserted immediately after the teeth are extracted and the tissues are allowed to heal under the denture. Your dentist will help you determine what denture form is best for your circumstance.
Dentures also vary based on placement. An upper denture has acrylic, usually flesh colored, that covers the palate (roof of the mouth). A lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to leave room for the tongue. In both shapes, the denture’s “teeth” are made of plastic, porcelain, or a combination of both. Dentures can be fabricated to fit over endodontically treated teeth and a complete denture can be attached to dental implants to allow for a more secure fit of the appliance.
Getting dentures is often critically important to preserving oral hygiene and health, but that doesn’t make it easy to adjust to something new in your mouth. Initially, new dentures may feel awkward and loose, as your tongue and cheek muscles have to adjust and practice keeping the mechanism in place. You may notice a temporary increase in saliva flow or other small temporary changes through the transition period. Minor irritation or soreness is not unusual, but if irritation continues with your dentures, your dentist needs to know.
After the initial adjustment period, you’ll need to continually monitor your dentures. Our teeth and mouths naturally change over time, and that means that it is expected that periodic denture adjustments become necessary periodically. Attempting to take care of small adjustments yourself can have extremely negative consequences. Instead, make an appointment so that your dentist can give you specific instructions and guide you through the process.
Wearing dentures doesn’t replace the need for good oral hygiene. You’ll need to upkeep your dentures well, but also follow regular practices to preserve your dental health. That includes regular visits to your dentist, not just when something goes wrong. Refer to our denture care page for more information on how to best promote your oral hygiene while living with dentures.
Do dentures feel normal?
It can take time to adjust to dentures, but once a reasonable adjustment period has passed, it should feel normal for you to wear dentures. Dentists can help if you have any abnormalities, including discomfort.
How many hours a day should I wear my dentures?
You should wear your dentures when awake and let them rest and soak when you are asleep unless given different recommendations by your dentist.
Do you put dentures in wet or dry?
Whenever you have dentures out of your mouth, it’s best to keep them soaking. So they will still be wet when you put them in. Drying dentures can be overly brittle and lose their shape and subsequent effectiveness.
Is it okay to sleep with dentures in?
The dentist will likely ask you to sleep with your dentures on the very first night you have them, to help everything settle in. After that, though, it is typically not recommended to sleep with complete dentures still in your mouth. There are a variety of possible negative consequences from that practice, including bad breath, bacteria buildup, and denture weakening. Refer to our denture care page for more information.
If you’re looking for local denture services you can trust, come to Alondra Dental Care! We strive to provide comprehensive dental care in one location here in Norwalk. Request an appointment today for us to help you with your dentures, teeth, and oral health.
Schedule a denture appointment with Alondra Dental Care.
Call 562-484-0650
OR
10927 Alondra Blvd, Norwalk, CA 90650
