Dentures, Partials, Repairs, & Relines

Dentures are removable appliances that can replace missing teeth and help restore your smile. If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from gum disease, tooth decay or injury, replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health. That’s because dentures make it easier to eat and speak better than you could without teeth—things that people often take for granted.

When you lose all of your teeth, facial muscles can sag, making you look older. Dentures can help fill out the appearance of your face and profile. They can be made to closely resemble your natural teeth so that your appearance does not change much. Dentures may even improve the look of your smile.

Types of dentures:

  • Conventional. This full removable denture is made and placed in your mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed, which may take several months.
  • Immediate. This removable denture is inserted on the same day that the remaining teeth are removed. Your dentist will take measurements and make models of your jaw during a preliminary visit. You don’t have to be without teeth during the healing period, but may need to have the denture relined or remade after your jaw has healed.
  • Overdenture. Sometimes some of your teeth can be saved to preserve your jawbone and provide stability and support for the denture. An overdenture fits over a small number of remaining natural teeth after they have been prepared by your dentist. Implants can serve the same function, too.

New dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks until you become accustomed to them. The dentures may feel loose while the muscles of your cheek and tongue learn to keep them in place. It is not unusual to experience minor irritation or soreness. You may find that saliva flow temporarily increases. As your mouth becomes accustomed to the dentures, these problems should go away. Follow-up appointments with the dentist are generally needed after a denture is inserted so the fit can be checked and adjusted. If any problem persists, particularly irritation or soreness, be sure to consult your dentist.

Even if you wear full dentures, you still have to practice good dental hygiene. Brush your gums, tongue and roof of your mouth every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures to stimulate circulation in your tissues and help remove plaque.

Like your teeth, your dentures should be brushed daily to remove food particles and plaque. Brushing also can help keep the teeth from staining. 

  • Rinse your dentures before brushing to remove any loose food or debris.
  • Use a soft bristle toothbrush and a non-abrasive cleanser to gently brush all the surfaces of the dentures so they don’t get scratched.
  • When brushing, clean your mouth thoroughly—including your gums, cheeks, roof of your mouth and tongue to remove any plaque. This can help reduce the risk of oral irritation and bad breath.
  • When you’re not wearing your dentures, put them in a safe place covered in water to keep them from warping.
  • Occasionally, denture wearers may use adhesives. Adhesives come in many forms: creams, powders, pads/wafers, strips or liquids. If you use one of these products, read the instructions, and use them exactly as directed. Your dentist can recommend appropriate cleansers and adhesives; look for products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Products with the ADA Seal have been evaluated for safety and effectiveness.

If you have any questions about your dentures, or if they stop fitting well or become damaged, contact your dentist. Be sure to schedule regular dental checkups, too. The dentist will examine your mouth to see if your dentures continue to fit properly.

A denture is a dental gear that is used to replace missing teeth and gums. The dentures can be removed and can also be complete or partial depending on the number of teeth that need replacement. The dentures are made to restore functionality and aesthetics to your smile by making them look as close as your natural teeth.

Partial and complete dentures are the two types of dentures available to return the beauty to your smile. Partial dentures are used to replace missing teeth and avoid that the surrounding teeth start shifting due to the space left by the missing tooth. Complete dentures are needed when all your teeth are missing to restore your ability to eat, speak, etc. Dentures are made with materials that make them light, durable and easy to adjust to while still giving you complete functionality and support. Dentures last long but because of wear and other changes in your mouth it may have to be adjusted or remade to give you the best fit.

You may need a denture if you have lost all or several teeth, it can also help enhance your smile and support facial tissues which will improve chewing and speech abilities.

What is the process of getting a denture?

To get a denture it requires several appointments with your dentist to ensure your device is best fitted to you. First, molds or impressions have to be made to take very accurate measurements in order to provide you with a custom-made denture. Once the fit, shape and color of the denture has been best matched to fit your smile you will have full functionality and a beautiful smile.

During the adjustment period you might experience some symptoms like: soreness, increased salivation, and difficulty speaking or chewing until your mouth and muscles can get accustomed to your new dentures.

Your dentist will give you care instructions to best treat your new dentures as well as the hygiene habits you need in order to preserve your dentures and have good oral health. Proper cleaning of your dentures is essential to prevent an infection or other issues and regular visits to your dentist will ensure that the treatment is working for you.

At our Dental Care of Indiana offices, we are dedicated to improving and restoring your smile to a beautiful healthy condition. We are happy to provide you with the necessary information and discuss your options. Don’t hesitate to contact us!

Read more on ada.org