What is the life of Dentures?

Your dentures will not last forever. The denture teeth and base will wear and stain over time. The time will vary and depend on many factors as individual tolerances, habits and the length of time you have had dentures. The average life of a denture is about five to seven years.

How Are Dentures Made?

The denture development process takes a few weeks and several appointments. Once our Dentures Direct Prosthetist determines what type of appliance is best for you, the general steps are to:

Make a series of impressions of your jaw and take measurements of how your jaws relate to one another and how much space is between them.

Create models, wax forms, and/or plastic patterns in the exact shape and position of the denture to be made. You will “try in” this model several times and the denture will be assessed for color, shape, and fit before the final denture is cast.

Cast a final denture.

Adjustments will be made as necessary.

Why do “New Dentures” need adjustments?

The materials used to make dentures have been developed to be very stable and accurate. However, slight changes during the denture making process and mouth handelling the pressure of the denture base can only be corrected after the denture is being worn. This adjustment process should be included with the cost of the new dentures.

Why do old dentures need adjustments?

A person’s mouth changes over the years and the denture may no longer fit properly. This may be corrected by an adjustment or a reline. An improper bite may be causing pressure in a certain area of the jaw. A reline may not solve this problem.

Can I Adjust or Repair my old Dentures?

Dentures that don’t fit properly can cause irritation and sores in the mouth and on gums. Contact us if a denture breaks, cracks, chips, or if one of the teeth becomes loose. Oftentimes, he or she can make the necessary adjustment or repair the same day.

Never attempt to adjust or repair dentures yourself. “Do-it-yourself” repair kits can permanently damage dentures.

Should dentures be taken out at night?

Some studies have shown that taking your dentures out at night (especially the lower) helps prevent the loss of jaw structure.

Why are dentures expensive?

Relatively speaking, dentures are often quite a bargain! It is not unusual for a person to get 10 years of service from a denture. Considering what they are put through day after day, that’s amazing. One could think of many things that cost more but don’t last as long or serve such a vital service.

Does a dry mouth cause problems with dentures?

Yes. Many people who have a dry mouth experience problems with their dentures.

What causes excess saliva with dentures?

In many cases, it is due to the initial reaction of your body to the new denture. First time denture wearers experience this the most. The mouth’s reflex reaction to something foreign is to salivate. This condition will subside as the denture is worn.

Can I be allergic to my dentures?

Yes, but this doesn’t happen very often. An allergist can do a simple test to determine if an allergy to denture acrylic exists. If so, there are alternatives to conventional denture plastics that can be used.

What are Implants?

Implants are best described as artificial tooth roots placed in the jaw. These artificial roots can be used to help support an overdenture.

Are dentures as good as natural teeth?

Dentures are not a replacement for teeth, they are a replacement for NO teeth. There is no doubt that the best teeth are the ones provided by Mother nature. Unfortunately, accident or disease may cause the loss of these natural teeth and the need for dentures.

How do I take care of my Dentures?

Proper denture care is important for both the health of your dentures and mouth. Here are some tips.

Handle dentures with great care.

Brush and rinse dentures daily.

Clean with a denture cleaner. Hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid can be used for cleaning dentures. Avoid using bleach, as this may whiten the pink portion of the denture.

Dentures need to be kept moist when not being worn so they do not dry out or lose their shape.

Don’t forget to take care of your gums by cleaning and massaging them with a soft toothbrush.

How Often Should I See the Dental Prosthetist if I have Dentures?

If you have dentures, every 12 months should be the normal. Regular visits are important so that dentures and the mouth can be examined for proper denture fit, to look for signs of oral diseases including cancer, and to have dentures professionally cleaned.