Dentures are movable dental prosthetics used to fill up tooth gaps. Replacing natural teeth is crucial, whether you lost them due to gum disease, tooth decay, or injury. The most cost-effective option to replace missing teeth is with dentures. Your daily life will improve and your confidence will return thanks to dentures.
Yet, it would be advisable to collaborate with a skilled dental specialist. Your dental professional will assess you and determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. The dentist will also assist you in understanding the advantages and possible risks of using dental appliances.
At Washington Dental, our dentists have helped more than 2,000 people have dentures to replace missing teeth. We are aware of the struggles you have daily as a result of tooth loss. If you need our assistance in Carson, we are prepared to provide dentures to replace your missing teeth and help you rebuild your life.
What are Dentures?
Dentures are movable teeth that are used to fill up tooth gaps. For a variety of reasons, many patients wear dentures. In general, dentures enhance your quality of life. They are a cost-effective way to replace missing teeth. Always ensure you work with a well-trained and experienced dentist if you need dental services.
Who is the Right Candidate for Dentures?
Those who have lost many teeth are the best candidates for dentures. A healthy jawbone and gums are also requirements for the procedure's ideal patient. Use a dental bridge if only one or two teeth are missing.
It would be best if you talked to your dentist before dental work was done. Your dentist will assist you in deciding if you are a good candidate for dental dentures. Numerous indicators indicate that you could need a denture or another dental operation. The following are typical indicators that you need dentures:
- Red and swollen gums.
- A painful toothache.
- Loose or shifting teeth.
- Chronic gum disease.
- Having trouble eating or digesting food.
As a result, if you are missing teeth, the time to go to the dentist is right now. The longer you wait for dentures, your teeth shift and your bones deteriorate. Do not wait until you have severe dental issues.
The Dental Process of Having Dentures in the Mouth?
You can restate your fears by knowing what to anticipate when going to dentures. Also, you will be one of many people who have started living with dentures. Denture creation is a difficult process. Thus, look for dental services from a qualified and knowledgeable dentist. The following dental procedures are used to create complete dentures:
Emergency Services
The dentist should repair the tooth when it is broken or when the denture is only partially broken so that you can have complete dentures before you have anything comfortable to wear. It is frequently advised to keep a spare set of dentures on hand. Keep in mind that you never know what might happen tomorrow.
Examination and Medical Care
Depending on the person, the dental process could require up to five visits. To determine your treatment, your dentist must take into account several factors. The following are some of the considerations:
- Past dental and medical history.
- The dentist will examine your soft and hard tissues and the desired features of your dentures.
- Also, the dentist will design a treatment plan and review potential charges with you.
Surgery (when applicable) (where applicable)
Your dentist might remove a decaying root if you have one. The dentist will also examine any further oral problems, such as gum disease or tooth ridges, that might impact your ability to wear dentures. Before attaching the dentures, the dentist wants to ensure the sores have healed.
An Initial Impression
The initial consultation with your dental specialist is crucial. It takes about 30 minutes to complete the consultation. The dentist will evaluate you and discuss how you want the dentures to be made.
To create custom impressions that fit your mouth, the prosthetist will take molds or impressions of your mouth. The dental professional will also provide professional guidance on selecting the material that best suits your mouth and price range.
Your dentist can create dentures that closely mimic your original natural teeth by using support from a friend or family member and photos of your teeth. Your dental professional offers you a treatment plan outlining the dental process because they know you will have many questions during your initial consultation.
Second Impression
It will take between 30 and 40 minutes for your second session. At the second appointment, the dentist takes anatomical measurements of your mouth using specially created, individualized trays. The expert also bites into a piece of wax to determine the connection between the lower and upper jaws.
The dentist then creates a trial denture that is made to precisely imitate the location and contour of the finished dentures. You can choose the new dentist's quality and color with your prosthetic device.
Try-In
A try-in, or third consultation, usually lasts about twenty minutes. Before molding the final dentures, the dentist tests wax-based dentures in your mouth to assess fit, color, and appearance. You are free to express any changes or concerns to the dental professional. For instance, request that the dentist raise the form of the denture.
Picking up Your New Teeth
Before your facial muscles, mouth, and tongue adapt, it is normal for dental dentures to feel unusual the first few times you wear them. Although everyone's experience with dentures is unique, some people may feel as though eating, speaking, or taking a mouthful is different than usual.
A dentist can make adjustments to soothe any uncomfortable places that certain patients may encounter. When you choose immediate dentures, the dental professional will require you to pick up the dentures before having your teeth extracted.
Additional Appointments
Keep in mind that not every person has sore places. Sometimes the dentist will ask you to adjust the dentures so the patient is more at ease. Since the initial fees cover this, you will not need to pay anything extra. Choosing and taking care of dentures can be discussed with your dental professional. Plan your next dental appointment before you leave the office.
How Long Will Dentures Last?
Durable materials are used to make dentures. Dentures can last up to ten years if properly cared for and fitted. But over time, you should fix or modify them. You should see your dentist after more than ten years of wearing dentures. The dentist will make sure the dentures work correctly. The dentist can inform you if you need new dentures during routine dental exams.
You might need new dentures in some circumstances. But when you go to the dentist, the dental professional will examine the dentures and decide whether they need to be repaired. Dentures frequently need to be replaced due to changes in facial structure.
As we age, a process known as bone resorption causes changes to our jaws and bones. Once more, you might feel generally worn out. One's dentures depend on how you care for them and how you make repairs. Your dentist will review the possibilities to maintain a natural fit, whether you need rebasing, relining, or replacement.
What to Expect During Recovery
The initial days of healing after having dentures are crucial. When you become used to your new teeth, your mouth will be painful. Do not take out your dentures, though. It is critical to know what to do during the healing process. The significant recommendations for what to do when you recover are as follows:
Unwind and Sleep
Proper rest is the most important thing after any dental procedure. Many dental professionals say you should have ample rest following the denture treatment. Keep in mind that a dental operation affects your entire body. The dentist provides a general anesthetic that might impact the entire body and opens your teeth and gums.
Take time off of work or school to unwind and rest. Remember that the recovery period will be shortened the more you relax. You can keep your body healthy by having enough rest or relaxation. Moreover, it guarantees quicker wound healing.
Change Your Eating Routine
It would be best to alter your dietary routine for a few days or weeks after the dental procedure. There will be pain and discomfort in the area where the dental dentures are inserted. It would be best if you are accustomed to soft foods and liquids.
Avoiding hard or sticky meals is advised by many dentists since they may interfere with the healing process. What, therefore, ought you to eat? Be careful to ingest soft fruits, steamed veggies, mashed potatoes, and smoothies. Fruits and vegetables are also crucial for the healing process.
Take Care of Your Mouth
Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial after a dental procedure. The dentist makes an open wound in your gums during the dental operation. Keeping bacteria out of your mouth is always important.
Prepare a mouthwash routine. It would be best if you used a toothbrush and flossed your teeth. You can also use salt water to rinse your mouth. While seawater is usually safe, mouthwash can irritate and hurt.
Consult Your Dentist
You must schedule routine dental checkups as you maintain the dentures in peak condition. Your dentist will look at your dentures and oral health during the checks. The dental professional will also examine your gums.
The dentist will provide instructions on how to take care of your dentures. For instance, the dentist could suggest that you rinse your dentures after eating. It would be best if you rinsed the dentures with warm water for the best results. Food will degrade if left on your dentures, giving your breath a foul odor.
What Advantages Do Dentures Offer?
For people who lack many teeth, dentures offer several advantages. It would be best to compare dentures' benefits with any possible risks. The following are the primary justifications for going dentures today:
Make Your Smile Better
The natural look of your smile is ruined if you have one or more teeth missing. Dentures are the best solution if you lack confidence when opening your mouth because of missing teeth. You can boost or regain your confidence in your smile with dental dentures.
The teeth offer a natural-looking appearance that resembles yours. As a result, you will not be afraid of anyone when smiling. They also lessen facial sagging. To decide whether you can wear dentures, consult your dentist.
Simple to Clean
Keep in mind that dentures are detachable. So, you can maintain excellent dental hygiene with little effort. It would be best to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a specialized denture cleanser to clean the dentures. You can avoid bacteria and plaque that could cause diseases by cleaning your dentures.
Easily Maintained
Dentures do not just give you a beautiful smile; they also only need minimal upkeep. Even if there are things you must do to keep the dentures in good condition, it takes some time. For instance, you need to make sure your dentures are clean. This need can be added to your daily schedule.
Designed for Comfort
You want to know how comfortable prepared dentures are. Initially, wearing dentures may cause discomfort. Today's dentures offer comfort, so you will not have any discomfort. Also, modern dentures emphasize supporting your facial muscles and preventing mouth discomfort. A dental professional with knowledge and training can appropriately prepare dentures that fit your size when you work with them.
Optimize Your Oral Health Overall
Many individuals who use dentures have missing teeth that have been present for some time. Sadly, this can have an impact on both your oral health and appearance. Additional problems brought on by missing teeth include gum disease, bone loss, and tooth rot. These oral health problems are harmful, and they may be challenging to treat depending on their seriousness.
You should also be aware that the likelihood of having additional health problems increases the more teeth you have missing. Yet, wearing dentures is an efficient strategy to prevent these dental problems from occurring.
Conversation and Eating Becomes Simpler
You will find that talking and eating with dentures is simple, which is an additional benefit. Anyone with missing teeth knows how challenging it is to eat and communicate. We speak and eat daily, so it is easy to do both.
You may easily converse and eat your favorite foods while you have dentures on. Recall that the cost of dentures varies depending on the dentist you choose; you should think about how you speak and eat.
Additional Dentures Available Choices
Depending on the number of missing teeth, your oral health, and the density of your jawbone, a skilled dental professional can assist you in examining your tooth replacement choices. The common options for dentures include the following:
- Dental Implant
Implants are frequently used to replace dental dentures since they are the best alternative. The dental expert uses implants to support the replacement teeth. The jawbone is drilled for titanium posts by dentists. Before placing the new teeth, the implant must have a maximum of six months to attach to the jawbone.
Dental implants are popular because they are solid and long-lasting. Dental implants, instead of dentures, are fitted in your mouth, improving the comfort of speaking and eating. But you must have strong bones and gums to be eligible for dental implants.
- Tooth Bridges
How do dental bridges work? These are artificial teeth that are affixed to dental crowns or implants. The sole drawback to dental bridges is that the doctor must remove healthy tooth components from neighboring teeth to repair the crown. In addition, dental bridges are an excellent replacement for dentures. Dental bridges do not slip when speaking or eating, unlike dentures.
- The Use of Overdentures
In addition to wearing dentures, you can also wear overdentures. The overdentures protect your jawbone and the majority of your teeth. The dental devices were affixed to your natural teeth by the dentist. You think you are speaking or eating with your natural teeth. Dental professionals make it fit over the natural teeth and stop slipping or sliding dentures.
A dental operation would be most effective if you still have several healthy teeth. The overdentures are more effective with teeth. Overdentures are not permitted for patients with periodontal disorders.
Possible Risks Associated with Dentures
Dentures for the mouth are a great way to replace missing teeth. You should be aware of any risks connected to the dental operation, though. The following are typical complications that can occur following a dental procedure:
Bleeding
You are more likely to bleed right away following dental surgery. After surgery, some oozing is typical and might last up to 3 days. Patients taking aspirin report bleeding. Once you arrive home, swap out the absorbent gauze every half hour until the bleeding stops. To help stop the bleeding, hold the dentures firmly but softly.
Discomfort
After the dental procedure, you should feel some soreness. Typically, the discomfort lasts a week or longer. Patients' levels of pain differ from one another.
The degree of the surgery has an impact on the soreness as well. You might also experience a tender sore after the first week, regardless of whether the dental dentures are rubbing. Dental professionals should alter the dentures over the first few months to remove the sore.
Swelling and Bruising
After undergoing a dental operation, swelling is typical. The first four days are usually when swelling and bruising are worst, and the following three days are when they improve. Using ice or cold packs can help reduce swelling.
When you have swelling, wear your dentures rather than take them out. Apply cold packs to your cheeks for 30 minutes. Talk to your dentist if the swelling does not go away.
Difficulty Issue with Chewing and Biting
You could find it difficult to chew or bite if your mouth hurts following the surgery. Maintaining a healthy diet will therefore become a serious issue. Also, an uneven bite is more likely to develop when dentures don't fit properly.
Remember that having an uneven bite increases your risk of developing an infection in your mouth. So, be careful to discuss the issue with your dentist as soon as you find this one.
The Cost of Dentures
The initial cost of dentures varies depending on the process used to make them. The price varies by the material used to construct the dentures and the dental professional you decide to deal with. Dentures can cost you thousands of dollars for a complete set. The quality of the appliances also influences the price of fitting dentures.
According to your plan, several insurances cover dental dentures. So, you can deal with a dentist who accepts insurance coverage if you lack the cash for dentures. Before you start the dental procedure, talk to your dentist about your financial capacity.
Denture Types
You should know the different types of dentures your dentist offers before inquiring about your suitability for dentures. Dentures come in two fantastic varieties. As follows:
- Complete Dentures
All teeth can be replaced with complete dentures. Dentures cover the gum. Your jawbone serves as the anchor for supported dentures. Thus, complete dentures are your best choice to treat your dental problem if you miss all your teeth.
- Partial Dentures
Several teeth can be replaced using partial dentures. This means that partial dentures can take the place of missing teeth if your remaining teeth are healthy and in good order. The replacement teeth are held in place by a pink base joined to a metal component. Consequently, consult your dentist immediately to see if partial dentures are the best option for treating your dental problems.
Contact a Cosmetic Dentist Near Me
Do you currently want to use dentures to replace your missing teeth? You are not alone. You need to consult with a knowledgeable, experienced dental specialist. At Washington Dental, our professionals are prepared to assist you.
We begin by evaluating your dental problems and choosing the appropriate dentures for your mouth. Thus, our professionals are available if you need dental treatments in Carson. Call us at 310-217-1507 to speak with one of our leading dental professionals.