Advantages of dentures:

Dentures improve your appearance and therefore your confidence

Can achieve the aesthetic replacement of many teeth less expensively than Implants or bridges

They usually require no surgery or invasive procedures They prevent your existing, healthy teeth from moving

They make chewing and talking easier

Disadvantages of dentures:

Have to be removed for cleaning and at night

Do tend to exhibit more looseness than implants or bridges due to their need for removal

Upper dentures often have to cover the roof of the mouth and can result in altered taste or speech, although this is usually temporary

Can be difficult for people with excessive gag reflexes to tolerate

You may need either:

• complete dentures (a full set), which replace all your upper or lower teeth, or
• partial dentures, which replace just one or a few missing teeth

Complete dentures

A full denture will be fitted if all your upper or lower teeth need to be removed or you are having an old complete denture replaced. They can be either metal-based or fully-acrylic.

Complete dentures usually require a number of visits to make and can take some getting used to. They are very dependent on the quantity and quality of bone that you have left in your jaw, and the quantity and quality of saliva in your mouth. Lower dentures generally tend to be more troublesome than upper dentures due to a lack of bone in the lower jaw but this can be addressed using implants to hold the denture tight.

Partial dentures

A partial denture is designed to fill in the gaps left by a few missing teeth. It is either a plastic or metal plate with a number of false teeth attached to it. Creating special attachments for adjacent teeth to engage the denture can result in a denture that looks fantastic and does not threaten to drop out of your mouth!

Please ask your Smilemakers’ dentist about which option is best for you.

Flexible dentures

Flexible dentures are a recent invention and differ from traditional dentures in that they are made of a flexible acrylic which can allow a better and more comfortable fit than traditional dentures for many people.

With the absence of any metal frame and using super-thin, but ultra-strong materials, there is no bulky feeling and they blend in much better with your gums. And because they are so flexible, they move more naturally during talking and chewing than traditional dentures ever could.

Please ask your Smilemakers dentist about flexible dentures.

The general rule is: brush, soak, brush. Always clean your dentures over a bowl of water or a folded towel in case you drop them. Brush your dentures before soaking, to help remove any food debris.

Using an effervescent (fizzy) denture cleaner will help remove stubborn stains and leave your denture feeling fresher. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions as some denture cleaners are not designed for metal dentures and vice versa.

Then brush the dentures again, as you would your own teeth, being careful not to scrub too hard as this may cause grooves in the surface. Most dentists advise using toothpaste and a small to medium-headed toothbrush. Make sure you clean all the surfaces of the dentures, including the surface which touches your gums. This is especially important if you use any kind of denture fixative.

It is important not to use any type of bleaching product to clean your dentures. Bleaching can lead to weakening of the denture as well as making it look unsightly. Do not use very hot water to soak the denture. Again, it can weaken the denture causing it to break.

Some people have sensitive gums and may need a softer lining made for their dentures. If you have one of these special linings, it is important to check with your dentist before using any cleaning products or fixatives as some products can damage the lining.

When you first start wearing dentures you should eat soft foods cut into small pieces, and chew slowly using both sides of your mouth. Avoid chewing gum and any food that is very sticky, hard or sharp-edged.

You can gradually start to eat other types of food until you are back to your old diet. Never use toothpicks.

You should not usually need to use denture fixative if the dentures fit properly. However, if your jawbone has shrunk a lot, adhesive may be the only way to help retain them.

Fixative should usually only be necessary for a short period of time if your dentures have become loose, just while you wait for your replacement dentures. Ask your dentist for advice.

It is important to visit your dentist regularly even if you don’t have any of your natural teeth. Dentists do not only check teeth, but also the soft parts of the mouth, including the tongue and cheeks. These examinations are just as important, so the dentist can spot any infections, mouth conditions or even mouth cancer at the earliest stages. Your dentist will be able to tell you how often you should visit.

Dentures should last for several years if you take good care of them. However, your gums and jawbone will eventually shrink and the dentures may not fit as well as they used to and become loose, or they may become worn.

You should see your dentist as soon as possible if:

• your dentures click when you are talking
• your dentures tend to slip, or you feel they no longer fit properly
• your dentures feel uncomfortable
• your dentures are visibly worn
• you have signs of gum disease or tooth decay, such as bleeding gums or bad breath

If poorly fitting or worn dentures are not replaced, they can cause great discomfort and lead to mouth sores, infections or problems with eating and speech