Dentures are prosthetics for missing teeth, or even a singular tooth, and are made of porcelain, metal or acrylic plastic. However, just like natural teeth, dentures need to be looked after to ensure they stand the test of time. It is also important to care for them in order to maintain good oral health. Denture care is something that needs to be done regularly to keep them clean, and to give your gums and bones the chance to rest from wearing the dentures. Read on to understand how you should be caring for your dentures properly, particularly at night.

Nighttime is the Best Time for Denture Care

The confidence you feel when wearing dentures may make it alluring to keep them on 24/7, but it is important to take them off regularly for complete denture care. Removing your dentures is necessary to properly clean them; otherwise, they may accumulate harmful bacteria and lead to an infection. After removing your dentures, you should brush and clean them with a denture cleanser, using a soft-bristled toothbrush.

The next step is to soak your dentures overnight. Most types of dentures lose their shape if not kept moist, so soaking them overnight is the best way to care for dentures. To do so, you may use clean tap water or distilled water, or use a mild cleansing solution for the best results.

Denture rinsing is an important step before wearing them again the next day, especially when you use a cleansing solution. This helps in getting rid of chemicals in the solution which could potentially irritate your soft mouth tissue. Be sure to avoid using hot water for any of these steps, since it may warp and distort your dentures’ fit.
If you are unsure about the solution to use, or how to care for your specific dentures, our dentists at Direct Denture Care can help you with denture care instructions.

Caring for Your Dentures Through the Day

While following the proper steps at night is important for denture care, it is also important to take care of them through the day by taking a few precautionary measures. Dentures are fragile and must be treated as such, whether that may mean keeping them out of the reach of children or pets, or not setting them down directly on a hard surface, and using a soft cloth or towel as a cushion instead. Similarly, the use of toothpicks must be avoided when wearing dentures, as they may damage them.

One should also be mindful of consuming foods that may stain like coffee, tea and red wine. Smoking can also discolour your dentures. Reducing the consumption of such foods can go a long way in avoiding discolouration of your dentures, and taking some extra time to clean any stains at night can help too. Finally, you should also visit your dentist or prosthetist at least once a year so they can clean and polish your dentures, and even check for any potential issues with them.

It’s Not Just About the Dentures

There exists a symbiotic relationship between your dentures and your oral hygiene, so while caring for your dentures is necessary, so is the general upkeep of your oral hygiene. In cases where you don’t have complete dentures to replace all your teeth, brushing your natural teeth and flossing properly and regularly is a surefire way of maintaining good oral health. This reduces the possibility of any bacteria affecting your dentures, hence contributing to longer lasting dentures. Brushing your gums is important too so as to improve the blood circulation. You should also be rinsing your mouth every time you take off your dentures to get rid of any trapped food or bacteria.

Get in Touch Today!

At Direct Denture Care, we understand the subtleties that come with complete denture care. New denture care instructions can be daunting when you are still getting used to them, so we endeavour to make it a much more comfortable transition, and guide you along the way. Whether you need new dentures, need to clean your current set, or just need assistance in picking the right denture care kit, we have you covered. Call us on (08) 9440 1540 if you have any queries or would like to book a consultation.

If you own a pair of dentures, you’re sure to have come across the term ‘denture relining’ at least once. But what exactly is a denture reline? A denture reline is a simple procedure which involves reshaping a denture so that it fits more comfortably on an individual’s gums.
But why is this process necessary you ask? Believe it or not, no matter how perfect your oral hygiene routine may be, the shape of your mouth will inevitably change over time. This may cause gaps and bumps to develop on your dentures which makes it fit uncomfortably on the gums. In order to rectify this condition, denture adjustments and relining will help ensure that your dentures fit snugly in your mouth and eliminate any discomfort. Furthermore, a denture reline will reduce the risk of your dentures breaking or cracking from heavy chewing.

What Is Involved in Relining Dentures?

Though it sounds a bit complicated, denture relining is a quick and stress-free procedure. It involves applying a thin layer of permanent resin coating on the fitting surface or base of the denture which will seal off any gaps. At Direct Denture Care, our professionals will either use cold-cured acrylic and tissue conditioner or self-cured acrylic depending on your circumstances and needs.

An upper denture reline usually provides more suction, which reduces the possibility of your dentures rocking. A lower denture reline can offer more stability and make it less likely for food to get trapped under the denture.

The type of reline you require will vary depending on your individual oral conditions. The different types of relines include a soft reline, a hard reline, and a temporary reline.

Soft Relining

Soft relining resin is composed of silicone and creates a softer, more comfortable base for dentures. The soft base reduces the possibility of irritation and sores that may develop in the future, which makes it a better choice for those with thin or sensitive gums or for older patients who have a higher possibility for recession of the gums and other mouth tissues. However, this material is slightly less durable which may mean that you’ll need to make more frequent relining visits.

Hard Relining

Hard relining resin is long-lasting and made from acrylic that is close in composition to that of your original dentures. This sort of relining is very durable and reduces the amount of times you may need to revisit your dentist.

Temporary Relining

A temporary reline procedure is great for when you require a quick fix, but as the name suggests, these relines are not heat cured since they are merely temporary. As a result, they can last for a duration of two weeks or so.

How Often Should Dentures Be Relined?

Relining your dentures is a periodic necessity as dentures tend to lose their grip in your mouth over time. Whether they are hard or soft, denture relines can usually last for up to two years. After that, it is vital that you consider getting a reline done in order to reduce discomfort and chances of infection.

Signs That Your Dentures Need Relining

It goes without saying that denture relining is a must, but how will you know when to get it done? Most times, people with dentures choose to wait it out until it really starts to hurt, which is not really a wise choice. In fact, leaving it to sit will increase the chances of more serious oral problems developing in future which is why you need to watch out for these signs that may suggest it’s time for you to get your dentures relined:

• You find that food increasingly becomes stuck in the gaps between your denture base and your gums or palate.
• You have been experiencing prolonged bouts of discomfort, sores, and infections in your mouth and along the tissues of your gums.
• You start feeling that your dentures are a bit loose and keep moving about or ‘rocking’ in your mouth when you do the simplest of activities, including laughing, speaking or chewing your food.
• If it’s been at least two years since your last denture reline.

How Direct Denture Care Can Help

Most times, relining may not be completed in a single sitting. However, here at Direct Denture Care, we are equipped to offer you a same day reline service.
Our professionals possess both the expertise and the experience which guarantees that we provide all our patients with only the highest quality of personalised service. We are here to help, so choose Direct Denture Care for all your denture adjustments and relining needs. Book an appointment with us today!

For many people, the way our teeth look can sway our self esteem one way or the other. We all want that million-dollar smile and the confidence that comes with it, and thanks to advances in dental technology, that once elusive dream is well within reach now. Dentures are just one of the many ways by which we can support our oral health, both functionally and cosmetically. However, they can be damaged and you may need to seek denture repair services.

Can Dentures Be Repaired?

Dentures can absolutely be repaired, provided they meet the right conditions. The trickier question, however, is if dentures should be repaired or replaced entirely. Generally speaking, repairing your dentures should suffice if the damage is relatively negligible – like a chip or any minor impact such as dropping it. If the damage is too severe, or if the dentures have shattered to pieces, a replacement may be on the cards for you. Denture repair services can also be the way to go if your dentures aren’t too old. If you have had them for about 10 or more years though, then it may be time to replace them.

And ultimately, if you are unhappy with your dentures, or the fit starts to feel wrong, you should definitely look to get them replaced. A change in the fit of your dentures is normal, since the shape of the mouth and jaw changes over time for many people. Also keep in mind that if you do need to repair your dentures, never do it on your own, and always consult a specialist.

Do My Dentures Need Repairing?

If you notice any of the following signs, you may need to get your dentures repaired:

1.Broken teeth — you may break or damage the teeth of your dentures accidentally when removing them or by applying too much pressure.

2.Chips or cracks — while a chip or crack in your dentures may be less noticeable than a broken tooth, they can become problematic, forming sharp or uneven surfaces that can damage soft tissue in your mouth. Additionally, if not dealt with soon enough, they can become bigger and cause more problems.

3.Difficulty chewing — if you’re having trouble chewing with your dentures, they may need readjusting to best suit your mouth and prevent sores.

4.Discomfort — as your mouth can subtly change over time, you may need to get your dentures readjusted to prevent more significant issues.

5.Bad odours — if despite regular and thorough cleaning, your dentures continue to smell, this can be a sign that there are small cracks in your dentures. They may also be stained. Repairing or replacing your dentures should stop the smell and prevent you from having bad breath.

How Do Dentists Fix Dentures?

If you need denture repairs in Perth, we offer emergency services at Direct Denture Care, because we understand that many users rely heavily on their oral prosthetics. To fix your dentures, our dentists will:

• Soak and scrub your dentures
• Prepare the broken surface
• Pour acrylic into the joint
• Cure the denture
• Trim and polish your denture

With our denture repair services, you can be assured of prompt and high-quality work, whether it be fixing a chip or break in the denture, or adding a tooth or clasp.

Get In Touch!

If you need your dentures repaired in Perth, get in touch with us at Direct Denture Care now! We have branches in Balcatta, WA and Hillarys, WA, so give us a call at (08) 9440 1540 to book an appointment, or just drop in for emergency denture repairs. Don’t let your damaged dentures dent your confidence or daily routine.

Partial dentures can be a great solution if you have missing teeth. Unlike complete dentures, partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.

Whether you want one or several teeth replaced, there are plenty of options. There are customisable partial dentures for upper front teeth, lower front teeth, or your back teeth section. What makes partial dentures so great is their functionality, versatility and aesthetics.

Direct Denture Care will help you select the best partial denture to suit your dental needs and budget.

What Is a Partial Denture?

Partial dentures are a removable device designed to replace one or a few missing teeth in the lower or upper set of your mouth.

Partial dentures are not only used for cosmetic purposes. They prevent your teeth shifting in your mouth, keep your mouth’s structure, and strengthen your ability to chew and speak.

Dentures are made with acrylic, nylon and cast metal with false teeth attached to them. A variety of materials are used, so dentures are natural looking yet durable for daily use.

Although you can sleep with them, dentists recommend removing them when going to bed or cleaning them.

Why Do People Get Partial Dentures?

Many people from different age groups get dentures. Some reasons for the loss of teeth include:

• Accident
• Injury
• Tooth decay
• Tooth extraction
• Gum disease

If you have missing teeth, you may experience difficulty in smiling, eating and speaking. Having gaps in your mouth causes your other teeth to change positions, and the tissue and bone around your missing teeth begin to shift. This leads to problems with your bite and a change in your appearance. Yet, partial dentures prevent further damage by holding the structure of your mouth and prevent your teeth from shifting.

Is It Worth Getting Partial Dentures?

Having partial dentures tends to be a better option than complete dentures, saving some of your natural teeth. However, there are advantages and disadvantages to partial dentures, depending on your needs and situation.

Pros:

• Less invasive than complete dentures.
• Cheaper compared to other tooth replacement costs.
• Extra teeth may be added.
• Natural teeth can be saved.
• Enhances physical appearance.
• Help you pronounce words better.
• Increased comfort due to dentures contoured to your mouth.

Cons:

• Can be difficult to get used to putting dentures in at the start.
• Soreness if dentures put too much pressure on a particular area, but your dentures can be adjusted to better fit your mouth.
• Clasps may be visible depending on the location of the partial denture.

Can You Eat Without Partial Dentures?

Partial dentures for your front teeth provide support for the structures of your mouth. They are designed to act and function like natural teeth.

Eating without partial dentures puts pressure on your jaw and gums, leading to deterioration and gum infections. The lack of saliva production also leads to food not being broken down, which causes digestive issues. You also risk losing your remaining teeth due to your teeth, jaw and gums becoming weaker over time.

Are Dentures Covered by Medicare?

The Federal Government provides funding for dental schemes for eligible adults and children. You may be covered by Medicare if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Find Out If Partial Dentures Are For You

We recommend speaking to one of our dentists to help you decide if partial dentures are the best option for you. Get in touch with Direct Denture Care today to learn more about dentures.

Do your dentures feel uncomfortable? When your dentures don’t fit like they used to, then you might need to reline them.

Complete or partial tooth loss can give you a lifetime of problems. Good thing then that a good set of dentures can replace your teeth and resolve those issues. But when your dentures do not fit properly anymore, then you’ll be reliving some of your tooth loss problems.

What is Denture Relining?

Denture relining is a procedure where your dental prosthetist adjusts and reshapes the surface of your dentures to provide a more comfortable fit.

Types of Denture Relining

Soft Relining

A soft reline uses silicone to give a softer and more comfortable base for your denture. It’s an ideal choice for patients with thin or sensitive gums as a silicone base is less likely to cause irritation.

Because soft relining uses a softer material, it wears out faster than hard relining, requiring you to undergo the process more often. However, it is the recommended option for older patients due to their thinner and more receded gums, and other mouth issues.

Hard Relining

A hard denture reline is an excellent option for patients who prefer a longer-lasting fit for their dentures. The hard relining base is made from an acrylic with similar properties to the original acrylic on your dentures.

The only downside is that this procedure may require more than a day’s visit to your dental prosthetist. You may need to get temporary dentures for that time.

Denture Relining Procedure

A typical relining procedure can be completed within a day. Your dental prosthetist would first examine your mouth for any irritation. If there’s a significant sore or swelling from poor-fitting dentures, then your dental prosthetist may recommend a temporary reline while it heals.

Once your dental prosthetist sees no issue for a permanent reline, your dental prosthetist will then proceed to clean your dentures, which includes sanding away some material from your denture plate. Once the dentures are cleaned, the dental prosthetist will then apply a soft or hard relining to them. You will be asked to put the dentures back into your mouth and gently bite down. This makes an impression in the resin. Once the resin hardens, the reline is completed. This process is the same whether it’s your first denture reline or your tenth.

However, your dental prosthetist may opt to send the impression to a dental laboratory for some hard relining cases. This can take a full day or longer before the dental prosthetics are returned to you.

Benefits of Relining

Well-Fitted Dentures

Dentures that slide and move make everyday tasks difficult, such as chewing and talking. Relining makes eating food easier and helps you avoid slurs, lisps, and other speech difficulties.

Longer-Lasting Dentures

Instead of distributing pressure over your denture’s entire surface, an ill-fitting denture puts stress only on a specific area, which causes your dentures to break. A reline every few years is a part of maintaining your dentures, helping them to last longer.

A Cleaner, Healthier Mouth

An improper denture fit creates gaps between your denture’s base and your mouth tissue. These gaps will trap bits and pieces of food which may cause decay. This can lead to bad breath and infections. Relining your dentures closes these gaps, preventing problems like these.

How Often Do You Need to Get Your Dentures Relined?

The silicone on a soft reline typically lasts only 1–2 years. A hard reline can last for years with proper care. Nevertheless, your hard reline needs to be examined every two years to ensure it still fits correctly.

Book an Appointment With Us!

Even with a perfect dental hygiene routine, your mouth shape changes over time, causing dentures to no longer fit properly. Denture relining will help keep your dentures fitting and make for a healthier mouth.

Do you suffer from ill-fitting dentures? Whether you just need to reline the upper half of the denture or you need a complete denture relining, we’re happy to do it for you. Call us now!

Dentures are prosthetics made to look exactly like an actual human tooth, designed to replace the real thing when needed. The vast majority are supported by surrounding tissue and can be removed, although fixed/bonding versions are also available. Dentures are often made out of acrylic, nylon, or metal, and are purpose made to fit and work exactly as normal teeth would. They can be utilised to replace anything from one tooth to an entire set of teeth. They are also known by the term ‘false teeth’.

Why do people need dentures?

People can need dentures for a whole variety of reasons, with the most common being the loss of their natural teeth due to decay or injury. Tooth decay is a gradual process that happens over time, especially if you do not look after those pearly whites with proper oral hygiene. While the need for dentures due to decay is more common in older people, anyone at any age can require dentures, for example; a sports-related injury. Even if a person only loses one or two teeth, it can affect how they chew and speak on a day-to-day basis. Certain types of food may become difficult to chew and certain words will become hard to pronounce, hence why some turn to dentures as a fix. Finally, underdeveloped or even missing teeth can also result in the sagging of facial muscles. Losing teeth can appear to alter the shape of your face, which can damage self-esteem and confidence. Another result of missing teeth is your normal teeth can take over the gap or where you have lost your tooth/teeth. This may result in your normal tooth/teeth becoming crooked and difficult to fit a denture into the gap. Your dentist will have to take out the crooked tooth and then a denture made by a Prosthetist. 

How long do you have to wait to get dentures?

Some people can be understandably anxious about having teeth removed, with the plan to have dentures fitted at a later date. The gap between removal and fitting the replacements throws up a number of questions involving things such as speaking, chewing, and general appearance. Custom-made dentures are typically fitted between six to eight weeks after the teeth are removed, although it can take between three and six months for them to fit properly. This gives the tissue around the gum enough time to heal, as well as guaranteeing a good fit for the eventual dentures. So, what can you do in the time between removal and fitting?

Immediate dentures 

These are dentures that need more adjustments as they are fitted when the other teeth are removed. The immediate dentures will have been created before your existing teeth are even removed, meaning that the dental prosthetist can simply take your real ones out and replace them straight away. Not only does this give you a toothy white grin to walk around with as per normal, but it also helps to keep the shape of your face and avoid shrinking of the jaw. Your immediate dentures may even see an improvement in your mouth, as the dental prosthetist can correct positioning issues. This can make for an even better smile and easier oral cleaning. However, you will have to keep the dentures clean still, as you would with a normal set of teeth. These new immediate dentures will need to be worn for around the first 48 hours to ensure the gums have settled down (no taking them out at night time). 

Types of dentures:

Complete dentures 

Also referred to as false teeth, complete dentures refer to full sets of replacements. Conventional dentures are made and ready to go within three weeks (dependant on the patient, these can be made sooner if need be) while immediate dentures can be fitted straight away. Complete dentures are to be used when a person has lost or had an entire set of teeth removed. 

Partial dentures 

These are used to replace a missing tooth or missing teeth, rather than a complete set of teeth. If there are still some real and healthy teeth within the mouth, then partial dentures can be used to fill the gaps. Filling gaps from missing teeth is important to do as soon as possible to prevent other teeth moving.

Direct Denture Care 

Dentures are custom made for every patient, making it an extremely personal process unique to each person. As a result, it is important to put your faith and trust in a dental practice with a proven track record of high-quality customer care, fantastic results, and years of positive experience under their belts. Our dedicated team at Direct Denture Care has all of that and more. For the best denture services in Perth, including new cosmetic dentures, implant-retained overdentures, partial dentures, denture relines, emergency denture repairs or custom mouthguards, and more, contact Direct Denture Care today on 08 9440 1540 for the Balcatta Clinic and (08) 9401 1195  for the Hillarys Clinic. 

There’s no doubt that gaps left by missing teeth can make you feel uncomfortable and self-conscious. Even normal everyday tasks such as smiling, laughing and eating can become unpleasant. Not only can missing teeth have an impact on your confidence, it can also cause physical issues with teeth moving, due to the gap and space created by missing teeth forming an unwanted angle. Dentures may be just what you need to boost your confidence!

Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth made of acrylic, nylon or metal. Whilst they may take some time to get used to, there are many benefits to getting dentures. In this article, we’ll provide an overview of how dentures are designed, the types of dentures available, emergency denture repair and denture care.

How are Dentures Designed?

There are two main types of dentures full or complete denture and partial denture. Another type of denture available is a fixed denture.

A full denture comes in two pairs; an upper and lower denture. The base of the denture is a freshly coloured acrylic base that fits conveniently over your gums. The upper denture settles on the entire roof of your mouth, whereas the lower denture is shaped in a horseshoe manner to allow accommodation of the tongue.

Depending on your condition your Prosthetist  may recommend a complete, partial or fixed denture. A full or complete denture is generally recommended when all your teeth are missing, and a partial denture may be recommended when some of your natural teeth are remaining.

1.  Full or complete denture: can be either a conventional or an immediate complete denture. A conventional denture is used when the gum tissues have completely healed, while immediate dentures are used immediately after the teeth are removed, without allowing the gums to heal fully. Conventional dentures are made roughly 12 weeks after the teeth have been removed allowing the gums time to heal. Another advantage a conventional denture has over an immediate denture is they do not require any adjustment after they have been used.

A conventional denture requires a bit of adjustment if not at all.  An immediate denture requires a lot more adjustment because the gums will shrink over time.
Unlike conventional dentures, immediate dentures are considered temporary. This is due to the healing process of the bones and gums, shrinking over time causing a need for readjustment, whereas complete dentures can be used for a period of up to five to ten years.

2.  Partial Dentures: are used when some of the natural teeth remain either in the upper or lower jaw. Partial dentures typically have two options; removable partial dentures and fixed bridge dentures. Removable partial dentures are replacement teeth attached to a gum-coloured plastic base, which may be connected by a metal skeleton that keeps the denture in position. For a fixed bridge denture, one or more of the teeth are replaced by placing crows on either side of the space and attaching artificial teeth to them. The fixed bridge is then cemented or glued into place. One big advantage of a partial denture is that it replaces missing teeth and keeps the remaining teeth from shifting.

3.  Fixed Dentures: This type of tooth replacement includes; dental implants, overdentures and some removable dentures that may be used as alternatives. They are the four main types of fixed dentures.

A. Implants: These are surgically infused into the bone, and over time may resemble the feel of real teeth. Implants are loaded with prosthetic within a six months period or over time.
B. Fixed Bridge: Are dentures used to replace missing teeth. The artificial tooth is cemented to each side of the remaining natural teeth.
C. Implant supported fixed Dentures: They are implants surgically inserted into the jaw bone, and a crown is screwed in to fit the insert.
D. Implant supported removable dentures: These implants allow removable dentures to be attached to the implants in the jaw.

Denture Repair

There are several reasons why you may be needing a denture repair. A full denture is usually very durable, however, damage may occur to these dentures simply by dropping them. Commonly a tooth may snap off in the process, and the plate may even crack. There are other reasons that may cause damage to your dentures, the most common are:

Wear And Tear

– Eating foods containing or high in acid
…– Applying pressure when chewing
…– Change in temperatures over time can also cause wear

Fittings

Reline – once your mouth changes, it is time for a reline of  the denture. Over time as the shape of your mouth changes, your dentures may no longer fit as they once did. Even though your Prosthetist may have made your denture perfectly for you, they may still become too tight or too loose because of the changes in your mouth.

If your denture becomes damaged in any way, we recommend you see your Prosthetist immediately to make the necessary repairs to your denture. Avoid trying to fix it yourself as this may cause more damage to it and your Prosthetist may not be able to fix it. Usually, it is best you have another denture as an alternative in the event of damage.

• Emergency denture repair and same day denture repair. In the event of an emergency, you may require an alternative pair of dentures. If you don’t have an emergency pair, stay calm and see your Dental Prosthetist. Do not try to fix your denture yourself as you may make the problem worse. Some Dental Prosthetists offer same day emergency denture repair. Direct Denture Care normally repairs your dentures in less than 1 hour.

Same day or emergency denture repair requires the Dental Prosthetist to:

• Examine the current condition of your denture
• Take wearing measurements
• Fix or repair the damaged denture
• Brush it and polish it
• Then insert them back into your mouth

The time required to complete this can vary from one hour to several depending on the Prosthetists level of experience.

The Dental Prosthetist will advise you on how long it will take to get your dentures fixed and if the damage repair is likely to take longer than a day to repair, you will be informed and asked to come in the next day. The Dental Prosthetist usually has an on-site laboratory that would aid in treating damaged dentures. The lab is well equipped to serve an emergency or same day denture.

• What is involved in the process of denture repair?

After carefully assessing the damage of your denture, your dental prosthetist will make a mould of your damaged feature, add strengthened to fix it, add prosthetic teeth and finally cure the denture.

• Eating with Dentures

At first, you may find dentures really uncomfortable to eat with. We recommend you start by eating soft food and chew slowly using both sides of your mouth. Gradually you will soon start eating types of food from your former diet, from semi-solid to solid food. Avoid any type of food that is sticky or that could pierce the roof of your mouth.

• Denture Adhesive

If your denture is not fitting properly, you can see your Dental Prosthetist and they will advise you on the adhesive to use. The feeling of having a denture on could be really uncomfortable; you could try using adhesive to boost your confidence. Adhesives are removed from the dentures by using soap and water. The remnant in the month could be removed with a damp flannel.

See your Dental Prosthetist Regularly

Having your denture on is different from your natural teeth, it requires that you see your Prosthetist on a regular basis to check for underlying problems. The denture may last for several years but overtime your gums and jaw bone will eventually shrink, and this can affect the fit of your denture.

It is advisable to see your Prosthetist when you notice the following

• Your denture starts slipping out from your gums, or they no longer fit well.
• When your dentures are worn out
• You are experiencing gum disease or bad breath and bleeding gums
• When you don’t feel comfortable having them on.
• Note: Infection and sores may develop when your dentures are worn out, and do not fit properly.

How to care for your Dentures?

The following tips would help you in protecting and properly caring for your dentures.

1. Keep your dentures clean on a daily basis. To do this brush your denture to remove food deposits, preferably with a soft bristled brush and avoid using a whitening toothpaste as they contain bleach.
2. Soak your denture at night to keep them moist, this helps in extending their usage.
3. Rinse your dentures with clean water after each meal to remove food particles.
4. Handle your denture with care. Dentures need extra precautions when handling them. If you decide to clean or insert your denture, it is best to place a blow of water or a clean towel on the sink to avoid any event of dropping them. If it happens that you drop your denture and damage occurs, please see your Prosthetist.
5. Brush your gums, palate, and tongue in the morning using a soft brush before fitting your dentures. This aids in removing plaque and stimulate flow in your tissues.

If you are missing teeth or have gaps in your smile, Dentures may be the perfect solution to boost your confidence, assist you with eating and ensure little to no impact on your speech.

There are other options depending on your insurance or budget, like implants which are similar to natural teeth nevertheless you can also opt in for overdentures.  To see if you are suitable for implant surgery, seek the advice of your Dental Prosthetist.

This article is not written to substitute any professional advice or diagnosis, but it is aimed to educate and inform patients by providing a general knowledge of Dentures.

If you are currently wearing removable dentures that are fitted poorly and are unstable in your mouth, then you may be considering permanent dentures. Permanent dentures are a durable and lasting treatment option for those that have one or more missing teeth.

They can quickly and easily restore the function of your teeth and keep you smiling from ear to ear for years to come!

Removable dentures are one of the quickest and most cost-effective methods to replace missing teeth, however, if they are not fitted correctly, they can move over time and cause extreme discomfort, and even stop patients from eating and speaking as they normally would.

Wearing dentures for prolonged periods of time are also not advised as wearing them consistently for extended periods of time can lead to the shrinkage of the jaw bone.

Many patients who use removable dentures also have to deal with messy and sticky adhesive to secure their dentures to their mouth, which is not the most ideal or stable way to fasten the dentures into place.

Fixed Dentures:

Through advanced technology, dental patients are given the opportunity to resolve the issue of one or more missing teeth through Permanent Dentures. Non-removable dentures, or more commonly known as Fixed Dentures, are one or more prosthetic teeth that have been bonded to a foundation, that is placed in the mouth and is held in the mouth through the use dental implants.

These implant dentures make is easy for patients to drink, eat, chew, talk and smile as they would normally, as the dentures will not move around while performing these daily activities.

For this type of procedure to take place, the patient must first receive an oral examination by an expert dentist who has the right knowledge to fit these permanent dentures. Then, a scan of the jawbone will be issued to help determine the exact locations for the implants to be embedded at the back of the jawbone.

The fixed dentures are then attached to the implants and after a healing period in which the implants naturally fuse to the jawbone, and the patient can enjoy their new set of teeth.

Although there is no perfect technique that will replace missing teeth, permanent and implant dentures is one of the most popular and effective options that patients can receive. However, as with all dental procedures, there are some advantages and disadvantages to taking into consideration:

Advantages:

There are so many benefits to permanent dentures compared to conventional dentures. The first, and most attractive, is that it requires the shortest surgery and healing times. There are also minimal healing times and postoperative discomfort that patients experience.

When compared to removable dentures, patients who have fixed dentures are able to eat, speak and drink much more comfortably and the dentures allow for a more even biting force distribution, easing these everyday processes.

Fixed dentures are extremely long lasting – when properly cared for, they can last a lifetime – and as they are custom made for each patient, they also support the natural structure of facial features, allowing for patients to achieve a more natural and youthful appearance.

Considerations:

Although permanent dentures provide an easy and safe solution to replacing missing teeth, it does involve surgery, which can sometimes lead to infection and inflammation during the healing process. It is important to note, however, that with the proper cleaning and maintenance, most patients do not experience any inflammation and infection is extremely rare.

Even though the upfront costs for fixed dentures can be quite costly, the benefits, improved mobility of everyday activities and costs saved in the long run can heavily outweigh this factor.

If you are considering fixed dentures to replace your missing teeth, then it is within your best interest to seek the help of a professional and skilled cosmetic dentist to ensure you are receiving the best care and the most informed decision.

Direct Denture Care is licensed dental prosthetists and qualified dental technicians specialise in new Cosmetic Denture, custom mouthguard and emergency Denture repairs. Call and book an appointment to start the process achieving a beautiful new smile, today!

Balcatta WA: Phone: (08) 9440 1540
Hillarys WA: Phone: (08) 9401 1195

Dentures are a removable prosthetic device for missing teeth. This can also cover the surrounding tissues and gums. There are two types of dentures; there are complete dentures and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when there are no teeth remaining and therefore, act as a replacement for all of your teeth. These dentures rest on the gums of the jawbone. Partial dentures are used when only some teeth are missing. These are attached to nearby remaining teeth and rest on the gums and the bone where the missing teeth would be.

Aside from the aesthetic appeal, dentures can actually play an important role in facial structure.This is a critical function as it helps you to chew and bite your food properly. This, in turn, allows you to digest your food more effectively which prevents digestive issues arising. You can also imagine the difference it would make to your self-esteem. I don’t think there is anyone among us who would like to be seen among friends, family or colleagues with no teeth at all. Sounds horrible right? Needless to say, the major benefit of dentures is that it allows us to maintain our beautiful our smile and aesthetic appeal.

Top five reasons you may require dentures

Most people associate dentures with old age, but this is not necessarily the case. Many people of all ages wear dentures, either complete or partial. However, in most cases, the need for dentures is avoidable. Here are the top five reasons you may need either complete or partial denture.

1). You don’t visit the dentist regularly

Obvious problems like severe tooth decay as a result of inadequate dental hygiene may require the removal of some or all of your teeth. Did you know that more than one in three Australians delay or avoid dental treatment because they can’t afford it? That is more than seven million people! ( http://oralhealth.asn.au/facts). Needless to say, if you go to the dentist at least twice a year, you can avoid tooth decay that becomes bad enough, removal of teeth is the only option.

2). Playing sport

For those of us that play sport, particularly contact sport, there is always the risk of losing teeth through an accident on the sporting field. The chances of this happening can be minimised by wearing a mouthguard. However, for various reasons, not everybody wears a mouthguard on the sporting field. Even if they do, there is no guarantee that their teeth will be protected from accidental contact. If you are unfortunate enough to lose one or more teeth as a result of an accident on the sporting field, you may require a partial denture.

3). Indigestion

Can you believe that indigestion might be a sign that you possibly could need dentures? If you have sore or painful teeth, this may cause you not to chew your food properly. As a result, you may end up with indigestion. If you do suffer from regular indigestion, this does not automatically mean that you need dentures. However, this is an indication that you could have serious dental problems if your teeth are too painful to chew properly. In this case, a quick visit to the dentist will help determine what action is required.

4). You already have some teeth missing

Most people can live with losing back teeth, but when it comes to losing front teeth, they become concerned. The problem is that if you lose more than 2 or 3 teeth, that means the rest of your teeth are under more strain when chewing. This could mean that you lose one of your front teeth as a result. Therefore, having a partial denture installed for missing back teeth, helps to balance the load on all of your teeth. So even if all of your front teeth are intact, and your missing teeth happen to be at the back, you still might want to consider having a partial denture installed.

5). Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a gum disease which is characterized by red and swollen gums, and often accompanied by bleeding. Gum disease is responsible for approximately 70% of adults losing their teeth. The good news is, gum disease can be prevented and even corrected through proper dental hygiene. Therefore,  gum disease does not guarantee that you will require dentures. However, if left untreated, gum disease can go beyond the gums and lead to bone loss, which in turn can lead to loss of teeth. Loss of teeth means the need for dentures.

So there we have it. The clear message to take away from this article is that we all need to make a strong effort with our personal dental hygiene. This includes regular brushing and flossing and visiting our dentist at least every 6 months. If we do this, then we will not need any dentures unless of course, we have an accident from playing sport or from some other accidental cause.