Replacing teeth
Replacing teeth
Our Care Dental dentists can help restore your confidence with replacements for missing teeth: from single implants to bridges, only you will know they’re there.
Dentures are removable false teeth that come with a host of benefits, including helping to improve how you eat and speak, as well as boosting your confidence by restoring your smile. They can also enhance facial shape, especially around the lips and in the cheek area. You can either have partial dentures for a few missing teeth or full dentures to a replace a whole set of teeth on the upper or lower jaw.
They are usually made from acrylic, or a combination of acrylic and metal, and modern materials mean that partial dentures will blend in beautifully with existing teeth and complete dentures can pass for the real thing.
Making and fitting dentures can be quite an involved process so you may have to attend several appointments to ensure the final set of dentures are a secure and comfy fit.
It can take a little while to get used to your new dentures, especially if they are a complete set. They may feel a little odd at first and eating can be tricky, so it may be a good idea to start with softer foods and slowly introduce more challenging items. The amount of saliva in your mouth may increase, but this should soon improve as your mouth gets used to your replacement teeth.
Initially, speaking may be a little difficult but you can improve this by reading aloud and if you are experiencing any sore spots in your mouth, the denture surface may need a little adjustment.
Dentures are designed to be hardwearing but they will last longer if you treat them with care. Dentures should be removed before you go to bed so your gums can have a rest, but they must be stored in water or denture fluid as they could lose their shape if allowed to dry out.
Clean your dentures with a toothbrush or a special denture brush and remember to keep your gums and any remaining teeth clean too. You will also need to attend regular check-ups so your dentist and hygienist can keep an eye on your oral health.
If you are missing several teeth or a full arch of your teeth, dentures can be used to replace the function and appearance of your natural teeth. Our dentists create dentures that are comfortable and and natural looking, and we will take the time to discuss all the options with you. If you would like a removable solution to restore your smile, dentures could be ideal for you.
It is important to replace missing teeth, even if just one is missing. If left untreated, your chewing and speaking will be affected, as additional strain is put on teeth either side of the gap, and your bite can become misaligned. The missing teeth and bone can also cause your face to sag and look older, and you could end up losing further teeth.
There are a number of benefits to choosing dentures to replace your missing teeth.
There are 3 solutions available:
Complete dentures replace a full arch if you have lost all of your teeth. An acrylic plastic base, coloured to match your gums, with a full set of teeth usually made from resin, fits over your own gums. Your Care Dental dentist will take precise measurements of your mouth, which will be given to a dental technician who will custom-make your dentures so that they fit snugly over your gums and jawbone. Your dentist will make sure your dentures are comfortable, and advise you on how to clean them and the best methods for keeping them securely in place.
Partial dentures replace one or more teeth, and are used if you still have some of your own teeth. The replacement teeth are specially created to fit the gaps you have, and to blend in with your remaining teeth. These are fixed to a metal framework that attaches to your natural teeth to hold in place.
Implant retained dentures are a more permanent solution for partial or complete dentures. Denture stabilisation uses implants to secure overdentures in place. Implants are small titanium screws that are placed permanently in the jawbone and act in place of your tooth’s natural root. The implant provides a fixed, permanent anchor onto which your overdentures can be secured. Implant retained dentures offer a number of benefits over removable dentures:
It can take a while to get used to your new dentures, but modern dentures are more comfortable and natural looking than ever.
Dentures must be looked after as if they were your natural teeth. Plaque can develop on dentures in much the same way as it can on natural teeth, which can put you at risk of gum disease.
With removable dentures, we recommend you take them out and clean them thoroughly with a soft brush. They should then be rinsed and soaked overnight in a denture cleaner.
Remember to keep your mouth clean too, by gently brushing your gums and tongue with a soft brush and rising with a fluoride-free mouthwash.
Contact Care Dental on 01764 652607 today to find out more about how dentures could work for you.
Replacing teeth
Our Care Dental dentists can help restore your confidence with replacements for missing teeth: from single implants to bridges, only you will know they’re there.
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If you're ready to book an appointment, get in touch today.