Denture FAQs

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Most common dentures are made of acrylic and sometimes acrylic and porcelain. The materials used are specifically designed to be safe inside your mouth.

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A Denturist is a health practitioner that is licensed to treat clients for missing teeth by replacing them with oral prosthetics . Denturists receive specific training to fabricate and fit dental appliances specifically for the patients needs. Training includes both clinical and laboratory procedures.

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Treatment costs depend on individual client requirements. Dentures are custom fabricated for each client and their mouth. Ask your denturist for a free consultation and a free quote on your new dentures.

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Depending on a patients specific requirements, dentures can take 1 week to 3 weeks to complete with multiple clinical appointments followed by a number of hours fabricating in the laboratory. Relines and repairs are often done on the same day.

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Dental Implants are the new standard of care for tooth replacement. They bond with healthy bone and provide permanent support for dental crowns and dentures. Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth and can last a lifetime.

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Procedures performed to place dental implants are done with a general or local anesthetic with little to no pain experienced. Ask your denturist about specific details regarding dental implants.

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The best advice I can give is to call the office and come down right away. Quite often, a repair can be done in as little as an hour.

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It is recommended to remove your dentures at night to help relieve compressed tissues and allows for the opportunity to soak dentures overnight. This is true for partial or full dentures as well as dental implants.

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Replacing full dentures or partial dentures depends on the individual client, in general it is recommended to replace dentures every 5-8 years. Tissue changes, bone loss and wear on teeth are indications for replacement. If dentures are well maintained with frequent check-ups and relines, some dentures can be worn for 10 or more years.

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Most clients lack the necessary bone support that provides a stable, retentive denture. Due to the shape of the lower bone arch, little to no suction is achieved. Denture adhesive is an option to prevent dislodgement but implants are the preferred method for lower denture stability.

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If your dentures are old (worn), it is likely that they are not fitting or functioning properly,which can lead to re-occurring or chronic irritation. Quite often adjustments and refitting can eliminate soreness , irritation and discomfort. If your dentures are new, soreness and irritation can arise in the first few weeks while adjusting to your new dentures. Some of this soreness and irritation will correct itself in time as the mouth and tissues adjust to the new dentures. However, some soreness and irritation may require a simple adjustment.

If the soreness and irritation is caused by a lower denture it is likely due to severe bone resorption and chronic movement of the lower denture. This chronic movement can rub and irritate the gums , causing the tissues to breakdown creating a sore spot or blister. There are several remedies to this common problem. First and most the successful remedy are lower implants (minimum 2). |This solutions permanently eliminates movement of the lower denture providing increased comfort , stability and function. The second remedy is a Permanent Soft Liner. This is a special material that bonds with the existing denture and remains soft. This soft material provides a cushion for the gums , increasing comfort and decreasing the occurrence of sore spots. The third remedy is denture adhesive, whether paste, powder or strips. The adhesive helps to keep the denture where it is intended to be, minimizing movement therefore reducing the occurrence of soreness and irritation.