For many people, losing teeth can be a way of life that does not interfere with daily activities. For others, they may find they miss having the convenience and confidence that comes with having a full set of teeth in their mouth. Depending on what your lifestyle entails, you could find that dentures could be a vital decision when it comes to restoring your smile and Olympia Prosthodontics & Cosmetic Dentistry would love to help you figure out which may be better suited to your needs.
HOW DENTURES MAY BENEFIT YOU
If you are missing one or more teeth, you may have noticed it may be more difficult to eat like you used to. Either through tenderness or lack of biting surface, it could be unfortunate to have to turn up your nose at something you used to really enjoy. There is an alternative, however, regardless of the number of teeth you have, that could give you back most of the control you had before losing teeth.
Most dentures, especially the type used by an older generation, were heavier and composed of more material because they were designed to be held up primarily not just through gum suction but also the use of dental glues. They have been known to take away much of the pleasure that comes from eating even though it was still possible to do so because of how much of the mouth was covered in the prosthetic.
DENTURES DESIGNED JUST FOR YOU
Many dentures these days are created through impressions of your mouth and may even implement to use of 3D imaging to get an even better fit. A conventional denture is used after all teeth have been extracted and allowed plenty of time to heal. It could take several months, and you will be without teeth during that time.
An immediate full denture is inserted right after your teeth are extracted. An impression of your mouth is made in an earlier visit, and your jaw structure is used to shape the prosthetic. They may need to be relined several months afterward, however, because as the bone that supports the teeth heals, it could reshape itself and cause the denture to become loose.
Taking care of your dentures can be simple and because they can be custom-created for your mouth, can become more secure than traditional plates. Although you will still need to take care of your false teeth so they can last as long as possible, it does not need to be any more complicated than standard oral care.
Make sure you never let your dentures dry out or use hot water as it can cause them to warp or not fit well. Brush your gums, tongue, and soft palate before inserting the teeth to ensure no residue could cause plaque on your dentures. Caring for your prosthetic can be as simple as using a specialized toothbrush to clean your false teeth as well as natural ones. If your teeth become loose or break, let us know so we can fix them. Do not try to fix them yourself as this could cause damage we may not be able to repair as easily.
If you feel like custom-fit dentures may be the next step for you in your dental health routine, please give us here at Olympia Prosthodontics & Cosmetic Dentistry a call at (360) 456-1200 to schedule an appointment to discuss options for your brand new smile!