Everything You Should Know About Dentures

According to the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, by the year 2020 an estimated 37.5 million people wearing full dentures. What exactly are dentures? They are removable appliances that can replace missing teeth. Complete dentures are a replacement for an entire set of missing teeth while partial dentures are replacements for only a few missing teeth. Partial dentures also prevent remaining natural teeth from changing position. Let’s talk more about dentures and how their use can affect the wearer.

How Are Dentures Made?

Creating a set of dentures takes several weeks. Once your dentist determines exactly what type of appliance is appropriate for you the steps generally are:

• Make a series of impressions of your jaw and teeth
• Create molds or patterns of the denture, which your dentist will use to allow you to try for fit and color match
• Cast a final denture
• Adjust as necessary

How Do New Dentures Feel?

As your mouth’s nerves and muscles are adjusting to the feel of dentures, they can feel a little loose or strange. They could also cause a bit of irritation to the cheeks and gums. These inconveniences should be temporary if your dentures are properly fitted.

How Will Dentures Affect My Daily Life?

Dentures are made to resemble your natural teeth as closely as possible. This means they shouldn’t greatly alter your appearance. If anything, your face will appear lifted and younger. Some report an adjustment period with speech after they start using their new dentures. The remedy for this is practice pronouncing difficult words out loud. Eating also gives some people trouble at first. Again, practice is key. It can also be helpful to eat soft foods or cut food into small pieces until the mouth adjusts. If problems with speech or eating persist, consult your katy dentist.

Although an adjustment period is required with new dentures, the advantages of these teeth replacements over missing teeth are clear. Always feel free to call your dentist for a consultation if you feel dentures might be appropriate for you, or if you have any concerns about your existing dentures.