If you’re new here, you may be wondering, ‘What are dentures?’. And to be fair, there are multiple types of dentures available on the market. Some, like the classic full dentures, feature two arches full of prosthetic teeth. Others have only one arch — and some are even implant-compatible.
If you’re unclear on what arches or implants are, let’s back up a bit. Before we sink our teeth into the specifics of each denture type, let’s first return to the key question: ‘What are dentures?’.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures, also known as false teeth, are custom-made dental prostheses that replace missing teeth and restore function and aesthetics to your smile. A two-part appliance, dentures comprise artificial teeth that sit on a supportive base of artificial gum.
Both the teeth and gummy base are often made from acrylic resin, though the teeth can also be porcelain. Due to its acrylic resin material, the ‘gum’ has the dual advantage of both resembling the real thing and fitting comfortably over every unique contour of your mouth.
When you wear dentures, you can eat, speak, and smile again with confidence. Thanks to technological advancements, modern dentures look a lot more natural, feel a lot more comfortable, and have a more diverse range of subtypes available than their original incarnations did. Before we get into how to clean dentures, let’s catch you up on the different types available.
Full Dentures
When most people think of dentures, they’re thinking of full dentures. These consist of an upper and lower arch, each supporting a full row of prosthetic teeth. Due to their custom fit, full dentures sit snugly over the gums — which helps them to hold themselves naturally in place via suction.
Partial Dentures
Many people have partial tooth loss — hence, partial dentures. Perhaps the most heavily customised dentures of all, partial dentures are crafted to contain only the teeth that are missing. They don’t envelop the entire gum, so they don’t attach via suction; instead, they attach to natural teeth with metal or acrylic clasps.
Implant Overdentures
Implant overdentures are the semi-permanent compromise between All-On-4 dental implants and removable dentures. If you have All-On-4 implants, your dentist or dental surgeon has placed four titanium screws into your jaw to stand in for tooth roots. Like All-On-4 treatment, implant overdentures rest on these implanted titanium foundations. However, the key difference between these two treatments is that they facilitate different prostheses.
While All-On-4 dental implants will receive a full-arch fixed bridge — i.e. a full row of artificial teeth that attach permanently — implant overdentures are removable prostheses that snap onto the implants. Patients may prefer these over All-On-4 solutions as they’re easier to clean and more cost-effective.
Immediate Dentures
Last and least durable, immediate dentures are placeholder prostheses you wear for six to twelve months following tooth extraction. With immediate dentures, there is no waiting period — your denturist will prepare them in time for you to use immediately following extraction. A sub-category of full dentures, immediate dentures are great because they provide you with functional teeth throughout the healing period. Just remember to get them adjusted once the swelling has gone down (often after three days) and relined within the first six months.
How to Clean Dentures
Now that you know what dentures are, it’s time to learn about denture maintenance. Cleaning dentures is straightforward and something you should do every day — in the interests of oral hygiene and preventing bacterial buildup. Here are our quick and dirty tips for keeping dentures shiny and spotless:
Rinse (& Repeat)
Rinse your dentures under warm water to remove food particles or beverage residue. Ideally, you should do this after every snack, meal, or drink — unless it’s water. As you rinse your appliance, ensure you’re not using hot water, which can distort the acrylic resin.
Brush
Dentures do have one advantage over natural teeth (and also dental crowns): you can remove them from your mouth for a more thorough clean. Holding your appliance in your hand, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to give it a gentle scrub. Don’t use regular toothpaste, as this will be too abrasive against the acrylic resin or porcelain. Instead, use mild soap, denture cleaner, or denture-specific toothpaste.
Soak
Soak your dentures overnight, every night, and you will keep them appropriately moist, distortion-free, and cleaner than ever before. Warm water will do the trick, but for those wondering how to sanitize dentures, you can also take things up a notch with a denture-cleaning tablet or solution.
How Else to Sanitize Dentures
If you’re fortunate enough to own an ultrasonic cleaner, you can sanitise dentures — or any other dental appliance — without manual labour. Such a cleaner uses ultrasonic waves to sanitise dentures, retainers, or mouthguards, removing harmful bacteria and other pathogens.
To clean your dentures hands-free, simply plug in your machine, fill it with water, place the dentures inside, press the Power button, and secure the lid. Give it five minutes, and voilà — you’ve got yourself some seriously sanitised dentures.
Other Denture Maintenance
Of course, there’s more to maintaining dentures than just the cleaning component. As your mouth morphs and changes over time, you’ll require denture adjustments — also known as denture relining. We urge you to visit every two to three years to keep your appliance in shape with your ever-evolving mouth. Moreover, if you ever have a slip-up with your dentures, we have denture repair services available.
Whether you need some new cosmetic dentures or are due for your next checkup and reline, Direct Denture Care can take care of you. Book your consultation or appointment today!
Usually, the dental prosthetist will first examine the dentures to determine the nature of the problem. He will then work out how the dentures should be adjusted or repaired. If dentures are newly fitted, then adjustments will need to be made until the fit is perfect. This is to ensure that your bite is normal because when your natural teeth are missing, your jawbone can shrink. This is why dentures need to be adjusted on a fairly regular basis. So if it is a simple realignment that is required, this is a relatively quick process. However, if there are missing pieces, such as a tooth, that need to be replaced, the dental prosthetist or laboratory technician may require the original shape to cast the mould. This can be done on the same day.
