It’s not uncommon for people to have missing teeth- either through gum disease, injury or decay. These large gaps can be devastating to your looks, confidence and your overall health.
If you have a large space caused by missing or lost teeth, dentures can improve your smile and give you a younger looking appearance by supporting sagging facial muscles and making it easier to eat and speak.
Dentures can be made of plastic or metal. A new technique allows the denture to be made of a flexible plastic that allows it to fit snugly between teeth and avoid the use of finger like clasps to retain the denture in place.
A partial denture fills spaces caused by missing isolated or groups of teeth. Dentures can be made of plastic or metal. A new technique allows the denture to be made of a flexible plastic that allows it to fit snugly between teeth and avoid the use of finger like clasps to retain the denture in place.
We always advise to clean your dentures over a bowl of water or towel in case they drop. If they fall into a hard porcelain sink they fracture.
It is important firstly to remove any denture fixative or any food that may have gathered on the surface of the denture. An effervescent “fizzy” denture cleaner should be used to soak the denture and remove stubborn stains which will leave the denture feeling clean. All surfaces of the denture should then be brushed thoroughly. If you notice a build-up of tartar on your dentures it may be better to ask your dentist to remove this or we may send it to the technician to restore its original glossy polished surface.
If you have a full or complete denture your dentist will advise how often you should attend for a routine examination – this allows the dentist to assess the fit of the denture as well as the important examination of your mouth for any infections or early signs of oral cancer.
If you have a partial denture, regular attendance with your dentist and hygienist is essential. The denture will produce an increased amount of plaque to build up around the remaining natural teeth – this will carry an increased risk of dental decal and gum problems to these teeth. Decay on the roots of teeth adjacent to the denture are at significant risk of decay, especially if diet and oral hygiene habits are poor.
Most full sets of dentures are made of a removable acrylic base, called the “plate”, and a set of natural looking acrylic teeth which fit over the gums. A partial denture is attached to the teeth on either side of a gap.
To make sure your denture fits correctly, your dentist will take impressions and measurements which they will give to a technician who will custom build your dentures.
Sometimes, when we need to remove additional teeth before we can fit your new dentures, those areas may be tender, sometimes as long as a week or two. However, your mouth should quickly get used to your dentures, the pain will go away and they will start to feel more secure and natural.
If you’ve had all your natural teeth removed and the gums and other tissues are healthy, we will likely fit you with a full set of dentures. We will fit partial dentures if you are only missing a few teeth. In short, we will fit the denture that is appropriate for the amount of teeth that need to be replaced.
Every night before you go to sleep you will need to remove, clean and store them properly so your gums and jaw bones have a chance to relax and “breathe”.
All of our denture patients are shown an easy hygiene routine that involves brushing your gums, palate and tongue gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush to stimulate circulation and prevent the buildup of plaque before putting your dentures back in for the day.
82 Main Street,
Markethill,
Co. Armagh,
BT60 1PL
