The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the standard of care for patients without teeth includes an overdenture with two dental implants. Fabricating a conventional denture alone is now considered below the standard of care.
What are dentures?
Dentures are removable prosthetic appliances that are designed to help replace missing teeth. A denture can be used to replace all of the teeth in the upper jaw, the lower jaw, or both.
What is an immediate denture?
Immediate dentures are designed to be worn immediately after the extractions of your remaining teeth. This type of denture will need to be relined to accommodate the changes occurring as your jaw adjusts during the healing phase.
What are overdentures?
Overdentures are dentures that fit over a few remaining teeth or over dental implants. This can be a great option because it can provide greater stability.
Will I be able to eat as usual with my new dentures?
New dentures require a period of adjustment and with practice your chewing ability should improve. If this is your first set of dentures you will require a longer period of adjustment. Conditions such as dry mouth may make this period more complicated. We recommend starting with smaller pieces of soft foods and adding foods as you progress.
Will a denture help to keep the bone in my upper and lower jaw from changing shape and shrinking back?
No, a denture alone will not halt the bone loss in the jaw. No matter how well made a denture is, it does not stimulate the bone cells or distribute tension and pressure properly to the jaw and will not prevent bone loss in the area. Only dental implants can help maintain the bone once a tooth is extracted.
If I have dentures, will I need to use denture adhesive to keep it in place?
Today’s dentures have been significantly improved through advances in both dental and materials technologies, but a great deal depends on the shape of your jaw and the amount of bone remaining. As a result, dentures that fit properly typically do not require the use of adhesives. During your initial adjustment to wearing dentures you may prefer to use some adhesive. Initially you may notice some slipping of your denture depending on your movements, for example when you cough, sing or laugh. With practice, most patients quickly learn to adjust and to control the movements of the denture(s). The more you practice using your denture during this transitional phase, the better you will become at controlling it.
What if I just cannot wear a denture?
This does happen. There are many reasons why dentures are not the right choice for everyone. Whether from a strong gag reflex, insufficient bone, or purely a personal preference, many people are not good candidates for dentures. Thankfully, they have options that previous generations did not have. Dental implants can be placed to retain your existing dentures (if the dentures are in good repair and well made) or to eliminate your dentures entirely.
Oral Hygiene & Dentures
Complete denture wearers have a higher risk of developing cancerous lesions in their mouth. Therefore, a thorough exam of your mouth needs to be completed at least once a year to insure it is in good health. Your mouth is constantly changing and poor fitting dentures can cause accelerated loss of bone in dental ridges. During this annual check-up we look for suspicious lesions in your mouth and also evaluate the fit of your denture and recommend any adjustments that need to be made. Most patients require denture relines every three to five years along with a panoramic radiograph to diagnose any underlying conditions (tumors, cysts). Dentures that fit well – function best!
All of the clinicians stay up to date with the most recent dental topics that pertain to implants and removable and fixed prosthetics. Dr. Cantwell and Angela play a vital role in helping patients improve their preventative dental health. We want our patients to have a healthy mouth and a healthy body!