• If you are prone to gagging when an impression is taken of your mouth for dentures or a mouthguard, then an impression kit will be for you.
• If you are stuck at home, at a nursing home, or find it difficult to move around, then use an impression kit.
• If you are located in the country where there is no dental prosthetist or prosthetist around, then an impression kit is for you.
• If you do not like other people looking down your mouth, then look at a Teeth
  Impression Kit.

INSTRUCTIONS

There is some putty located inside the kit, some white and blue. Mix the two together and when it is a light blue colour with no streaks, then put the putty inside the impression tray.

Hold the tray ready to put into your mouth. Put it in and be mindful to take an impression of your mouth. Do not double dip. (An extra white and blue putty is available should you do it incorrectly.)

Bite down and push the putty into your teeth and gums, make sure your lip is over the front of the impression tray.

Hold still for 30 seconds and then carefully take the impression out of your mouth. Wait a further 3 minutes for the impression material to harden.

When the putty has hardened, place in the plastic bag provided and seal it. Put the plastic bag with your impression into the bubble wrap and then place in the box provided. (Make sure that the clear, plastic insert that came with the putty and the impression tray has been taken out of the box so that the impression of your mouth can go into the box.)

Close the box and send back to us in the return envelope.

If some of your natural teeth have already been removed, you need a partial denture. Aptly named, partial dentures replace teeth when only some and not all are missing in either or both the upper and the lower jaw.

Why You Need a Partial Denture?

A partial denture enhances your appearance. Some people also opt for partial dentures to make chewing easier. Missing teeth means having spaces in between teeth and having the remaining teeth unsupported, making them over erupt or lean sideways. When this occurs, replacements become difficult. To remedy this, you should opt to put in partial dentures.

Partial dentures may support an opposing full denture. The opposing full denture in this case replaces all your lower or upper teeth. Suppose you have a full denture on your upper jaw and a few natural front teeth left on the lower part of your mouth. The problem is, when you bite or chew food, it may result in tilting down the back of the upper denture.

In this situation, it would be advisable to wear a partial denture to prevent unintentional damage on the remaining natural front teeth. A denture will make the strain produced by chewing and grinding become evenly distributed.

In the process, the wear and tear of the few remaining natural teeth becomes greatly minimised. Depending on your preference, your dental prosthetist can make you a partial denture using a variety of materials and designs.

Partial Denture Materials You Can Choose From

Partial dentures can be made from different materials – mostly acrylic, cast metal and nylon.

1. Acrylic partial dentures

These will cost you the lowest and are the most cost-effective. Further, your dental prosthetist (DP) may recommend these where there is significant tooth loss or in case your teeth need to be extracted. The advantage is that they are generally much easier to repair, reline or modify.

Though unnecessary in certain cases, most of these acrylic dentures have stainless steel or clasps for retention in the mouth.

2. Cast metal partial dentures

Most people prefer these cast metal partial dentures because they support the remaining natural teeth quite perfectly. You may also like their thinner and more appealing small size inside your mouth. They have a rigid frame that also lets you transfer bite impact to your remaining natural teeth.

This is possible because they have metal rests on the opposing surface of the supporting teeth. Cast metal retainers, tooth coloured resin or flexible nylon can be used as retention for a cast metal partial denture.

Your DP should advise you on the choice of retention that will work best for your dentures.  Just like other dentures, metal partial dentures can be repaired or relined when necessary. Notice however that this may involve welding, so be sure to consult with your DP.

3. Nylon partial dentures

Flexible nylon partial dentures are made from thermoplastic nylon. They are often available in two different options that vary in rigidness. These dentures require no metal retainers. Because of this flexibility, their base is used to retain them in the socket.

They can also often be used with clear or tooth coloured resin retainers. The hassle from using nylon flexible partial dentures is if you need them relined or repaired. This usually takes at least a week. Ask your dental prosthetist for more information regarding your options.

What to Expect From Partial Dentures?

•  Like with any new denture, new partial dentures may feel a little awkward or bulky in your mouth in the beginning. It’s important to understand that this is absolutely normal. You naturally become accustomed to wearing them eventually.
• Eating with new partial dentures should equally feel off at the beginning. But this will just be for a short period. You can start by eating soft foods cut into small pieces. Exercise your dentures by chewing on both sides of your mouth to exert even pressure on both sides. Also avoid foods that are extremely sticky as they may weaken your gum and affect how the dentures fit.
• It will take some patience and practice to insert and remove your partial denture. Fortunately, it won’t be long before you become a pro at it.
• You can expect soreness if your new partial denture puts too much pressure on a particular area. When this happens, check in with your DP. He or she will adjust the partial denture to fit more comfortably. You can also expect your DP to recommend taking out your partial dentures before you go to bed and put them back on in the morning. Be sure to put the dentures in some water so that they do not dry out.
• The partial denture should fit into place easily. You shouldn’t force it into position, not even by biting down. Such force could bend the clasps or break them all together.
• Your dental prosthetist DP will provide you with specific instructions on how long the denture should be worn and how often and for how long. Be sure to follow them to the letter so you can get the best results.
• You may be asked to wear your partial dentures continuously without taking them off. This will be a little uncomfortable. But this is the quickest way to pinpoint which parts may require adjustment.
• The partial denture may help you pronounce words better. You may realise that your speech becomes better as your mouth gets accustomed to the new dentures.

Conclusion

Do you have a missing tooth or a couple of missing teeth? Don’t hesitate in getting partial dentures to boost your confidence and have a new, better oral experience.

The main concern of people with dentures is its stability. No one wants the dentures to move in his mouth.

Whether full or partial, regular dentures for the upper jaw are normally stable enough. They typically do not need additional support. In contrast, dentures on the lower jaw are less stable.

Implant retained dentures solve this problem. They offer stability for anchoring full or partial removable dentures.

Even though a regular denture of the upper jaw tends to be sufficiently stable, you can still replace it with an implant retained denture if you so desire.

What are Implant Retained Dentures?

For optimum teeth replacement, your dental prosthetist may use dental implants to support full or partial dentures.

The dental prosthetist works hand-in-hand with the dental prosthetist in putting dentures in your mouth. First, holes are drilled into the jawbone and attach the male implants. The prosthetist makes the denture with the female implant to clip into the male implant in the jawbone.

An implant-supported denture is a type of overdenture that’s supported by and attached to implants rooted into the jawbone.This differs from a regular denture which normally rests on the gums and is not supported by implants.

These implant retained dentures are particularly useful when a person has no teeth in his jaw. In lieu of teeth, you must have enough bone in the jaw to support the implants.

Each implant retained denture has special parts that typically snap on to attachments placed on the implants.

The implant retained dentures will stay in place even if you chew or converse. But no need to worry. The firmly supported denture is very easy to remove and clean. It is actually recommended that you remove the denture when you go to sleep and at other times of the day for cleaning.

Make it a habit to clean your implant supported denture. And while you’re at it, rinse your mouth and clean the gum area as well.

What are ball-retained dentures?

One type of implant retained dentures is ball-retained dentures. These are made of an acrylic base that looks like gums. Your dental prosthetist will attach acrylic teeth or porcelain that look like natural teeth to the base. These dentures need at least two implants for support.

How They Work

Ball retained dentures are also referred to as stud-attachment dentures. The implants have ball shaped attachments in most cases.

The implants in the jawbone each holds a metal attachment that fits into a corresponding attachment on the denture.

These denture attachments (male attachments) fit into sockets (female attachments) on the denture. There are cases where the denture holds the male attachments while the implants hold the corresponding female attachments.

Benefits of implant retained dentures

These implant-supported dentures are effective and cost-effective. They are a major improvement from the regular removable dentures.

Let’s have a look at some benefits when you use this type of dentures.

1. Stable even when you are chewing. Supported dentures function just as your natural teeth. You can chew food confidently without the fear that you’ll damage them.

2. The stability boosts your confidence. You are assured that your dentures will not move unintentionally especially in the middle of a conversation.

3. Less seepage of food under the denture. There is little room for food to seep beneath the denture.

4. Superior aesthetics. Implant retained dentures minimise wrinkles around your mouth by restoring lost lip-support. This ensures that you look the same as when you had your natural teeth.

5. The confidence of having superior facial aesthetics and the assurance that your dentures won’t let you down naturally enhances your social interactions.

6. Implant retained dentures markedly improve your ability to chew – you can enjoy food again by eating virtually anything you want.

7. Increased preservation of natural bone. The dentures are fitted in place and this helps preserve the bone left in your jaws.

8. You also won’t need to use any denture adhesives, sticky gum, pastes or powders to enhance your denture.

If your teeth have some problem and you are considering dentures as an alternative, implant retained dentures are your best option. You may perhaps be wondering where to begin.

Here’s some heads-up.

How to Choose a Dental Prosthetist

You’ll have to first choose a dental prosthetist. He or she will be your advisor and therapist. But how do you get the right DP?

Visit www.adpa.com.au to get a complete list of all the DPs in your locality. Alternatively you can refer to Yellow Pages on the internet or to your local Yellow Pages.

The first consideration in your criteria is that the dental prosthetist should be a member of the Australian Dental Prosthetists Association, ADPA.

All association members have agreed to comply with a code of practice that stipulates their obligations and regulates their conduct. This utterly safeguards your rights as a patient.

Summary

Any denture will give you a second chance and the freedom to smile even after your natural teeth are no longer there.

However, an implant retained denture gives you a completely different experience and allows you to eat comfortably and confidently. What’s more, it gives you greater confidence to smile. That’s why it’s best to say ‘yes’ every time you and a loved one need implant retained dentures.

Let’s face it: anyone would be scared and embarrassed to appear in public without teeth. Seems avoidable, but you would be in that situation if you choose to have your new denture made the traditional way.

Suppose you have a few teeth left and they’re in bad shape that they can’t support a new denture, they would have to be extracted beforehand. If this is the case, your gums and bone would need time to heal before a new denture can be made.

This process may often take a couple of months. This means you have to spend a couple of months toothless!
On the brighter side, you really don’t have to go around without teeth for several months as you wait for your gums and bone to heal. Dental prosthetists have an alternative to all that: immediate denture.
An immediate denture is a complete or partial denture inserted immediately after the removal of your natural teeth – on the same day.

How Immediate Dentures are Made

Your dental prosthetist (DP) takes impressions of your mouth while your natural teeth are still intact. He then produces models of your mouth. He can perform simulated extractions on these models and place the denture teeth as close to the position of the natural teeth.

You can also expect your DP to correct anything on your teeth’s alignment and other problems that could impede your health. The dental prosthetist often works with the help of a specialist technician, providing him (the technician) instructions on the number and nature of the teeth to be replaced with an immediate denture.

After which, the technician grinds your teeth (or tooth) off the model and simulate the extraction. He then makes the actual denture. The DP typically confirms that the right teeth have been added before the actual extraction. Your natural teeth are given anaesthesia, extracted and your denture is then put straight in.

Then you’ll need to set a review appointment, so that adjustments can be made to the denture if necessary.

Special Aftercare for an Immediate Denture

The procedure for an immediate denture however, does not end when it is put on. Special aftercare is needed to ensure they work properly. Your dental prosthetist will provide you with all the aftercare instructions and for follow up of your immediate dentures. These should cut across diet, painkillers and how to deal with the numbness that follows the extraction.

Dentures should be removed frequently as a standard care procedure. But this does not apply to immediate dentures. Instead, you should avoid removing them for the period that your DP told you. Removing them otherwise may cause bleeding. Keeping them in place also protects your gums and socket. Removing the fresh denture may cause slight swelling, which may result in the denture not fitting right back in.

In contrast, when you leave them in, the clot stabilises and helps prevent bleeding. The inflammation and swelling will also naturally subside.

Your first night with new immediate dentures will not be the most comfortable. Your bite will be slightly off and the fit may not be very ideal. Chewing will naturally be a little problematic. But rest assured that the discomfort and difficulty will pass. To assess the condition of the gums and socket, the DP often takes out the denture during your next appointment – usually the day that follows.

You’ll also get instructions regarding how to put in the dentures and take them out, as well as how to look after them.
Note that an immediate denture will not always have the best fit immediately simply because it is made before the socket and gums heal following an extraction.

The healing process affects the fit, therefore subsequent adjustments may be necessary. You are also likely to experience some pain and soreness.

Adapting to Immediate Dentures

For immediate dentures, it is highly important that you strictly follow the DP’s post-operation instructions. The healing process will heavily depend on how well you follow these instructions. You should also go to each follow-up appointment with your DP. Remember to have your immediate dentures on for at least 3 days after the surgery. This may be longer, depending on the condition of your socket and gums.

As you adapt to immediate dentures, it’s equally important to follow the instructions to oral hygiene given by your dental prosthetist. Part of these will be to constantly rinse your mouth with salty water to control harmful bacteria and facilitate the healing of your gums.

Immediate dentures also require that you reline them or fabricate an entirely new denture after four to six months. During this time, the healing process has been completed. You can always keep the immediate denture as a spare in case new dentures are made for you.

The relining is necessary to prevent tissue from growing into your denture and cause soreness and discomfort. Your DP can provide you with an estimate of the cost of relining your immediate denture. New dentures may often affect your speech. To remedy this, practice reading out loud or sing. This will allow your tongue to find its correct position so that you could speak clearly.

Benefits of Immediate Dentures over Conventional Dentures

Immediate dentures are an assurance that you’ll never have to walk around or appear in public toothless.

This alternative also allows your DP to easily duplicate the shape, arrangement and even the colour of your natural teeth since the immediate dentures are based on your natural teeth. An immediate denture inserted at the time of extraction also serves to protect the tissues and helps reduce bleeding.

Traditional dentures leave your mouth without teeth for some time for your gums and socket to heal. This means that you learn to speak clearly without teeth and later relearn to speak with dentures. Immediate dentures help you skip that headache. You can learn your speech patterns immediately and only in a single phase.

Overall, the immediate denture also helps keep you from experiencing the facial distortion that may occur as you’re waiting for a conventional denture.

Conclusion

Dentures are an amazing alternative to natural teeth. Nonetheless, if it comes to choosing between traditional and immediate dentures, the latter should be an instant go.

When your natural teeth get damaged or had to be removed, it’s time to use dentures. And just like natural teeth, dentures need proper care to ensure they last long. This is also necessary to keep your gums and mouth healthy.

Here are the top 10 steps to take care of your dentures and help keep your radiant smile long after you lose all your permanent teeth.

1. See your dental prosthetist at least once a year

Both partial and complete dentures require regular check-ups. Have your dental prosthetist clean and specially polish them. The yearly visits to your dental prosthetist allows him or her to check your mouth and review the effectiveness, cleanliness and fit of your dentures.

The dental prosthetist often examines your oral tissues for changes as well as for sores that could become cancerous. This is also your opportunity to seek  advice regarding oral hygiene and proper denture care.

2. Be aware of any change in how your dentures fit

You’ll want to check with your dental prosthetist if your dentures no longer feel right or are not fitting well. Dentures may often fail to fit properly over time due to gradual changes in our bones and gums. Periodontal disease can also affect your dentures. It’s important therefore to see your dental prosthetist not only for denture cleaning but to have him check and fix them as well.

Wearing poorly fit dentures may cause burning sensations, sores, pain and a few other avoidable problems. In case you get sores in your mouth from wearing dentures, take out the denture.  Rinse your mouth with warm, salty water many times a day.

3. Clean them daily

Dentures need the same care as your teeth. Be sure to clean them twice a day and after meals. They build up stain just like natural teeth. Regular cleaning of your dentures will help prevent  tartar development..

Use a specially designed soft-bristled toothbrush and a liquid solution that is not abrasive – liquid soap or dishwashing liquid will do. Do not brush too hard as doing so may leave grooves on the surface. Such grooves create space for stains and tartar to build up.

Apart from brushing, clean your dentures using a soaking solution over a folded towel of a bowl of clean water to protect them in case you drop them. The folded towel can catch droplets of the solution and your dentures in case you drop it.

Plaque can lead to problems such as irritation and infection in the tissues underneath your dentures. To remedy this, you may need a new set of  new dentures.  

4. Stick to recommended denture cleaning products

Do not use toothpaste to clean your dentures. There is now a variety of new denture cleaning products available in the market.  You can get these from your local chemists or the grocery store. You can as well pick some recommendations from your dental prosthetist.

An effective denture cleaning solution  normally contains active ingredients that break down plaque and remove debris. It’s also important that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

5. Let your denture cleaning be a whole mouth activity

You should always brush your gums to improve blood circulation. A good massage with a washcloth is equally effective, and always rinse your mouth well with water each time you take out your dentures.

Your gums should get proper care even if you have complete dentures. And if you only have partial dentures, don’t neglect your teeth. Take care of them by properly brushing and flossing them each day.

6. Handle dentures with care

Do not use toothpicks when wearing your dentures. This can damage them. Equally discouraged is the use of hard brushes or strong cleaners. As rule of thumb, never leave your dentures where pets or young children can reach them.

We saw a lady today where the dog mauled their denture next to their bed.  Thus, it’s best to keep yours  in a denture bath when not in use.

7. Keep them from bleaching products

Some people tend to rely on hot water, bleaching products or ammonia based cleaners for their denture cleaning. Don’t!

Bleaching weakens your dentures and may damage the appearance of new dentures. Hot water may distort your dentures and affect their fit. Like abrasives, ammonia based products also destroy the glossy surface, making your dentures vulnerable to stains and plaque build-up.  

8. Take time for stained dentures

Everyday habits such as smoking, drinking a lot of red wine, tea or coffee may stain your dentures. Spend more time to remove such stubborn stains from your dentures. Your dental prosthetist should be glad to offer some valuable advice on this.

9. Discuss cleaning options with your dental prosthetist for metal dentures

For metal dentures, discuss your denture cleaning options with your dental prosthetist. Metal dentures require particular care when cleaning. Don’t just use any product to clean metal dentures, as this may cause undue damage. Avoid using Milton solution or bleach when cleaning metal dentures.

10. Give your dentures a break

Caring for your dentures means caring for your mouth as well. It’s recommended that you take your dentures off before you go to bed. That will give your mouth tissues time to recover from wearing them during the day. In case you are uncomfortable sleeping without your dentures on, be sure to remove them at least twice during the day.

For dentures with metal clasps, rinse them well with water and soak in warm water. Otherwise, use either a half-water, half-vinegar solution, or a special denture cleanser. Soaking will help remove plaque, stains, tartar and bacteria.

Wrap-up

Follow these tips and your dentures will last up to seven years before needing a replacement.

Gone are the days when dentures are only popular among grandparents. Today, dentures or false teeth are also common among younger people. They can help enhance poor dental appearance and boost self-esteem. And with the recent innovations in dental technology, they are now designed to be more natural-looking and comfortable. However, acquiring dentures requires a great responsibility. You need to take good care of them to avoid costly denture repairs.

But no matter how well you look after your dentures, there are still several reasons why they can get damaged or break. Unintentional dropping is one of the common causes of breakage. On the other hand, changes in your mouth over time can also create damage to your dentures. Your jawbone’s shape and size changes as time go by. This can weaken or damage your dentures as they can no longer fit properly in your mouth. Despite these, there are various ways you can prolong the life of your dentures and save money from expensive denture repairs.

Should Dentures Be Left Out at Night?

Dentures are designed to be mobile. This means you can remove them easily if you wish to. However, for the first few days after they are fitted, you are allowed to sleep with your dentures in. After this specified period, it is by choice whether to remove your denture before bedtime. Most people only ever remove their dentures for cleaning, which must be done properly at least twice a day, but others remove their dentures and leave them by their bedside overnight in a glass of water.  You may soak them in a denture cleaner overnight. This is in order to avoid the build-up of calculus which promotes ill-fitting dentures.

Handle Dentures with Extra Care

Always keep in mind that your dentures are very fragile and delicate. So you have to treat them like an expensive ornament. When inserting or removing your dentures, make sure to do it cautiously over a sink filled with water. This way, your dentures won’t break if they accidentally slip from your hands.

Observe Proper Dental Hygiene and Diet

Even if you are wearing a full denture, you have to treat them like your real teeth. Clean them using the required denture cleaner. Never use ordinary toothpaste when cleaning them as it is very abrasive. Use a specialised brush for denture cleaning or a soft-bristled brush when cleaning or brushing them. This can help in lessening the need for denture repairs in the future. Most importantly, you have to ensure your mouth is clean before inserting your dentures. Brush your tongue, palate and gums using a soft-bristled brush.

If you only wear a partial denture, make sure to remove it before you brush your natural teeth. Clean thoroughly the teeth that fit under your denture’s metal clasps to prevent the risk of tooth decay. Make a habit of cleaning and massaging your gums on a regular basis. Clean your gums daily by rinsing your mouth with lukewarm salt water. Additionally, in order to maintain a healthy mouth, eat a balanced diet and observe proper nutrition.

Speak Gently

Getting dentures may affect the way you speak in the first few days. But when you get the hang of it, it will be easy for you to speak certain words properly again. You have to be very patient and practice saying aloud and slowly challenging words. Take note that your dentures may move around when you smile or laugh. Just bite them down gently and swallow to get them back in the right place. If you experience this, you have to see your dental prosthetist for him/her to make the proper adjustment. Don’t ever try to make the adjustment yourself.

These are just some of the best practices you can do to maintain the effectiveness of your dentures and avoid unnecessary denture repairs. If you follow these easy-to-do tips, you will have dentures that can last for several years before its ample time for a replacement. Observing these practices can also prevent you from getting mouth infections linked to dentures such as cheilitis and stomatitis.

However, no matter how good you are at taking care of your dentures, there are some inevitable factors that can lead to denture adjustment or replacement and even denture repairs. These factors can include the changes that can take effect in your mouth, jaw bones and gums as mentioned earlier. When this happens, you will need an expert to do the necessary repairs. Never carry out repairs all by yourself as this can damage your dentures more or worse still, it can harm your mouth and teeth.

Certainly, there are various denture repair kits available on the market. However, these are often ineffective and a waste of money, causing more damage to your dentures. To be able to have proper denture repairs, you need the help of the professionals. At Direct Denture Care, we have licensed dental prosthetists and qualified dental technicians who specialise in various denture care services including denture repairs at very reasonable rates. We even provide emergency denture repair services because we understand your dentures can get damaged at any time and getting them fixed quickly matters to you a lot.

The type of dentures that will meet your particular needs will depend on various factors associated with it. This can include the natural teeth that remain in your mouth, the bone level and the quality. Your tissue, general health and your age should also be considered.

In the case of cosmetic dentures, they are generally designed and recognised as being suitable for patients who have lost their natural teeth. In today’s innovative and technically advanced world, modern cosmetic dentures provide you with an appearance and fitting than could never have been expected in the past. They can also enhance your facial shape and as well as correct the chewing surfaces.

There are various differences between traditional dentistry and cosmetic dentures. Traditional dentistry is primarily directed towards oral hygiene and prevention. It also aims at diagnosing and treating some oral diseases. A cosmetic dental application, on the other hand, focuses on the improvement and appearance of your teeth, mouth and smile.

When it comes to cosmetic denture treatments, arguably, teeth whitening is usually the most recommended procedure. Your teeth are subjected almost continuously to attack from food, drinking and for some, tobacco or just plain neglect and lack of oral hygiene. Teeth whitening, commonly termed, bleaching is an enhancement that has the ability to make the most of a, particularly attractive smile.

During consultations regarding an improvement in the aesthetic appearance of your smile, your dental prosthetist could possibly find there is a need to provide necessary treatment for correctional and functional problems. They could relate to your bite or teeth and bone structure, among others. Should you require full mouth cosmetic denture reconstruction; the materials available today enable your dental prosthetist to provide you with functional and durable clinically sound treatments that also present a natural appearance.

The various high technology cosmetic denture treatments provide various options for those who are unhappy or conscious about their smile. They also provide aid to those who want to improve and enhance their dental appearance. If you have become curious or are interested in what is available, why not speak to your friendly dental prosthetist today and ask about what is suitable for you?

One question frequently asked regarding dentures is when should they be replaced and under what circumstances. The lifespan of dentures lasts between four and twenty-five years. Hence, it is expected that all denture wearers must undergo denture replacement at one stage or another. Normally, replace your dentures every four to eight years at least as your jaw structure changes.  According to the Australian Dental Prosthetist Association, there are various influences as to why dentures need replacement.

In the first instance, there is the normal wear and tear factor related directly to the denture. However, it’s more likely that the cause of denture replacement will be determined by a problem in your mouth. Your denture can be the cause of gum irritation and affects the tissues in the mouth. This is true especially if your denture is loosely fitted and prone to movement.

Due to the fact that you’re not having natural teeth, your gum tissue will diminish because of a lack of support in retaining it. This also has the effect of loosening the denture. In addition, a receding of the jawbone will occur due to a lack of binding tooth roots. If your dentures are affecting your personal confidence because of an inconvenient movement within your mouth, this is definitely an indication that it is time for a new denture to be replaced.

Defining Denture Replacement

There are no clearly defined general conditions as to when a complete denture should be replaced. However, for a healthy person, a denture will usually require replacement every four to eight years on average. The need for a complete denture replacement is generally related to the deterioration of the materials utilised in denture construction.

Alternatively, it can be determined by irreversible changes in the jaw contour of the wearer, which is adversely affecting the denture fitting. However, there are also individual considerations surrounding a decision to replace a denture. Every denture wearer has his or her own particular needs and requirements. These are influenced by a variety of factors determined by a qualified denture prosthetist. Consequently, these factors are taken into account in the evaluation of a denture replacement.

A defining term related to denture replacement is the vertical dimension. It is a physical measurement made by your dental prosthetist, from a point on the tip of your nose to one on your chin. This is a unique measurement applicable to each individual and one that is essential to be assessed. It serves a very important purpose. For instance, after a loss of natural teeth, your jawbone changes in shape resulting in a decrease in its overall size. During this process, the previously accurate denture fitting becomes loose and unstable. Adding to this condition is the factor of the wearer losing their vertical dimension.

In everyday terms, it means the nose of a person and their chin could have been drawn closer together. Many people wear the same and complete dentures for extended time periods, during which they suffer significant loss of their vertical dimension. This is although a slow procedure, yet it is a progressive one. Denture wearers may gradually adapt to their conditional changes including the hollow, shrunken facial appearance, especially in the mouth area.

A further aspect is a possibility of the temporomandibular joints being adversely affected, with the ability to function potentially becoming compromised. But, a corrective measure is possible in the form of additional pink denture plastic. It is added to the inside of a loose denture, known as denture relining. This is done in order to achieve a reasonable degree of stability. However, an unfortunate part of this process is that it does not accurately restore the optimal vertical dimension. Dental Prosthetists generally consider it necessary to construct a replacement denture when the vertical dimension has been reduced by 3 millimetres.

Denture Wear and Tear

Another aspect related to denture replacement concerns the important issue of “tooth wear”. In addition to the limited ability to chew your food comfortably and effectively, the excessive wear to your teeth adversely affects the aesthetics and contribute to issues associated with a loss in the vertical dimension. The deterioration of the materials used in creating the dentures is also an aggravation that requires denture replacement.

Although the materials used in the manufacture of dentures today are reasonably durable, but inescapable deterioration, dimensional changes, and wear will eventually occur over a period of time. These are factors that will cause dentures to become dysfunctional and require replacing.

In the event of a relining denture being fitted due to the aging process, the pink denture plastic forfeits its natural enhancing appearance and texture. Thereby, it gives the appearance of artificial dentures. Added to this is the potential for denture plastics to become significantly contaminated with microorganisms. This can cause irritations of the mouth, socially unacceptable mouth odours as well as an unpleasant taste.

In all respects, it is essential that a visit to your dental prosthetist be made on a regular basis. Observing regular checkups (one to two years) helps in maintaining optimal oral care and overall maintenance for your dentures.