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Dentures

What are dentures?

A denture is a removable prosthesis used to replace missing teeth. Commonly referred to as ‘false teeth’. A partial denture is fitted to replace some missing teeth whilst a complete denture is indicated when all natural teeth are missing. A good set of dentures helps you to eat, speak, function, and often improves a person’s appearance.

Standard dentures are made from Acrylic.

Flexible Dentures

Flexible Dentures
Valplast was the first flexible denture material in the world and has over 60 years of research, testing and development. Here are some of features of Valplast flexible dentures:

  • Comfortable: A Valplast denture is easy to adapt to with a 1.5mm in thickness, which allows the tongue to glide over it comfortably. It is also designed to not place pressure on the gums and teeth and makes it comfortable to wear.
  • Blends in: Due to its light-weight nature, the material comes in a variety of translucent gum colours. This allows the Valplast to disappear naturally within the mouth.
  • Accurately fitting: The flexible denture is gripped in place by gum coloured clasps that hook around certain teeth near the gums.
  • Appearance: The colour of the Valplast gums is matched to the patient’s mouth and blends in naturally with the mouth.
  • Functional: Talking and eating become easy with the Valplast flexible due its flexible nature gently caressing the gums underneath the denture rather than pushing onto the gums.
  • Flexible: The material used is nylon. The nylon material allows for a thickness of 1.5mm which enables the Valplast to flex and be virtually unbreakable.All Valplast flexible dentures have a lifelong guarantee from Valplast.

Cobalt Chrome Dentures

Cobalt Chrome Dentures
These metal partial dentures are made from an alloy of cobalt and chromium and they are much stronger than acrylic dentures. They are lighter to wear and can be supported by the remaining teeth. Although the base is metal, acrylic is then used to attach artificial teeth to the metal framework.

Natural teeth provide extra retention for a partial denture and more importantly distribute the loading and stresses of a partial denture through these natural teeth.

Cobalt chromium dentures can be designed in various ways to suit individual patients, for example a ‘skeleton’ design can be made so that it comes into minimal contact with the soft palate, reducing incidence of gagging. They can also be utilised to reinforce full dentures and be used to strengthen implant retained acrylic dentures.

Dental Implant Dentures

Sometimes, having a ‘Cosmetic Natural Looking’ denture alone is not enough and you will need the help of implants for extra stability. Implants are tiny titanium rods that replicate the natural root of a tooth, which is surgically placed into the jaw bone, once placed a Dentist will be able to monitor the healing of your implants for 6 months and provide a temporary denture whilst healing is taking place. Once healing is complete you can then have a ‘Cosmetic Natural Looking’ implant denture.

A new denture is created to sit on top of the implants rather than the gums, which in turn gives you more security, stability and peace of mind whilst eating and talking, as the denture is held in via the implants, instead of relying on the bone and denture adhesives.

There are various options available for implant dentures, with removable implant dentures and fixed implant dentures. Implant dentures are dependent on patient suitability for implant placement and will require an Implant consultation, to assess suitability, bone levels etc.

Dental Implant Retained Removable Dentures:

This type of implant denture is removable and allows you to remove the denture in and out of the mouth and is used with clip type attachments that clip into the implants placed in the mouth, similar to that of a stud button on a jacket. The type of attachments used, depends on the type of implant placed.

With removable implant dentures, two or more implants are surgically placed into the jaw, top or bottom and sometimes both. Once the implants are placed, an implant denture is made with the chosen attachment to clip into the implants placed in the mouth and instantly creates a stable and secure denture. The dentures can be removed and cleaned with ease and clips back into place.

How long does it take to make dentures?

Depending on the complexity of each case, the duration of the treatment will vary. After the initial visit of examination and diagnosis, the subsequent visits will include taking impressions of the mouth, bite registration, try-in of the denture, fitting and review.

What to expect?

New dentures always feel strange when first placed in your mouth. Several days or weeks will be required before you get accustomed to them. Adaptation varies with different persons and often time and experience are essential before dentures can be worn comfortably and function effectively.

Useful suggestions to help you to adapt to the new dentures:

Eating – Eating will take a little practice. Start with soft foods and foods cut into small pieces will help. Chew slowly using both sides of your mouth at the same time to prevent dentures from tipping. Once you become accustomed to chewing, include other foods until you return to your normal diet.

Increased salivary flow – You may experience an increase in salivary flow when the dentures are first inserted. This is a natural response of the salivary glands that will return to normal after a few weeks…

Speech – New dentures may alter your speech initially. Pronouncing certain words may require practice. Reading out loud and repeating troublesome words will speed up the adaptation process. This problem rarely persists beyond two weeks.

Sore spots – Minor irritation caused by surface irregularities or pressure spots on the denture-bearing areas are quite common. Your dentist will relieve the discomfort by adjusting the denture surface. Stop wearing the denture if the irritation is very painful. Consult your dentist immediately.

Care of your dentures

Like natural teeth, dentures can accumulate plaque and food debris, particularly in areas where the denture is in contact with the remaining teeth and gum. In addition to the usual oral hygiene measures like tooth brushing, dentures should be cleaned regularly. Poor denture hygiene can result in stains on the denture and a bad odour.

If possible, dentures should be removed and cleaned after every meal. When cleaning, remember the following:

  • Use a soft hand brush or a special denture brush.
  • Avoid very hot water as it may distort the denture.
  • Use mild detergent to clean dentures. Avoid using abrasive cleaners that can roughen the polished surface of the denture. Do not use bleach as this may whiten the pink acrylic.
  • Hold the denture firmly while cleaning. Accidentally dropping the denture may result in chipped or broken dentures.  Always wash your denture over a basin of water.

When you are not wearing the dentures, store them in water. Dentures may lose their shape if left to dry out.

How long should you wear your dentures?

During the first few days you are advised to wear them most of the time except when sleeping. Always remove the dentures before going to bed. This will allow your gum tissues to rest and promote oral health. Gentle massaging of the gums with a soft toothbrush is encouraged. Remember to soak the dentures in water to prevent them from drying out. If dentures are kept in overnight this can cause problems to your soft tissues like thrush.

The next denture review

Your jawbones and gums naturally shrink over time and this can cause the dentures to fit less securely. Ill-fitting dentures can give rise to chewing difficulties, soreness, infections and changes in facial support. It is important that you visit your dentist to have your dentures and oral tissues evaluated yearly. Your dentures may need to be adjusted, relieved or even relined from time to time to ensure an optimal fit.

Do not attempt to adjust the denture yourself – seek professional help.

With time and practice you will soon learn to eat, talk and smile with your dentures as you would with your natural teeth.

Broken dentures

If you do happen to break your denture, please book an appointment to have them mended do not try and attempt to glue them back together yourself this can actually make it worse and affect our lab technicians from being able mend this properly for you!

Your dental health is our number one priority

We look forward to meeting you

We understand that some patients are nervous but can assure you that our team are here to help. We will listen to your concerns and requirements and do everything we can to make your visit as comfortable as possible. We believe that people should have healthy mouths and attractive teeth for a lifetime, the prevention of dental and gum disease is far less costly than the repeated cycle of breakdown and repair.

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