REMOVABLE DENTURES

INFORMATION:
It takes a while to get used to new dentures. The new denture will have to settle into place, the surrounding gum tissues will have to adapt to them; and you will soon learn how to keep them in position. Denture adhesive powder/paste can only help. Remember, if you have medical problems, stress problems, taking medications, or dry mouth; this can lengthen your adjustment time period to the new dentures.

MAKING THE DENTURE: (a brief overview)
-Requires several visits (varies with the complexity of the case)

-Impressions are made, the bite is established, teeth are selected, the wax (trial) denture is fitted, changes can made until it looks just right for you.

-The denture is finalize, polished, and then fitted for you: now the wearing process begins.

-sore spots will occur (some people are more prone to sore spots than others). Call for an adjustment appointment.

-DON'T compare your "old" denture to the "new" one. If the "old" one was so good we would not be making a new one.

COMMON AND POTENTIAL PROBLEMS:

__I will probably hate the lower denture.

__The lower denture will be very loose.

__The denture will cause many sore spots and will need many adjustments by the dentist.

__I will not be able to chew or bite well with the denture.

__I will have difficulty speaking with my new lower denture.

__The new lower denture will not be any tighter than the old denture.

__I will probably need paste or powder adhesive to help keep the denture in.

__There are many people who take out their lower denture to eat! I may be one of these people.

__There are even people who never wear their lower denture! I may be one of those people.

__The dentist has advised me to consider not even getting a lower denture because, I may not even

wear it. Despite this advice, I have decided to get a lower denture.

__The dentist recommended implants (which can stabilize dentures), but I have decided against the

implants.

__Since each denture is made by hand, it is impossible to match a new denture exactly to an old one.

__My mouth will naturally undergo many changes after I get my denture. Because my mouth will change but the denture will not, I may need adjustments and/or relines and ultimately, a new denture. There will be additional fees for these procedures.

__There will be a "try-in" appointment at which time the teeth will be set in wax I will be able to see how the teeth will look in my mouth. At that time, the dentist and I will be able to make any changes necessary and have additional try-in appointments. After the denture is finished, however, the dentist cannot make changes in the denture teeth.

__ Food will get under and all around the denture during and after eating.

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CARE OF YOUR DENTURE: INSTRUCTIONS

-DO begin by eating soft foods until you get used to the denture

-DON'T bite the denture into place, use you fingers to press it firmly into place. DON'T use your tongue to remove it, this will cause instability of the denture and create a bad habit.

-DO place water in the sink prior to removing the dentures, if it should slip through your fingers it will land in the water, not on the hard basin which will cause it to fracture.

-DO brush the denture often, plaque and bacteria will stick to the denture as it will to natural teeth. It MUST be cleaned. Denture toothpaste or cleaning tablets are to be used.

-DO remove the denture for at least eight hours a day, most people will leave them out while sleeping. You don't sleep with your shoes on; give your gums a chance to rest, relax, and   "breathe".

-ALWAYS store your denture in water when not wearing it. This will prevent distortion from warping
-please DON'T adjust your denture yourself, call the office. I have special instruments make the necessary corrections.
-food will most likely get under the denture when eating, simply clean it when your meal is over.

-brush your gums gently or rub a piece of gauze over your gums, this will help keep your mouth fresh and clean.

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Bone compaction and condensation.

Most denture wearers, whether first timers or experienced users, will find after a "new" denture is made the supporting bone will condense over time. This is because as you chew harder and harder foods greater pressure is placed on the bone that supports your denture. You will become a better chewer as you accommodate to the new denture. This additional chewing pressure is absorbed by the supporting gums and underlying bone. The bone is like a sponge (it has pores, and tunnels) these pores will compact due to the pressure. If you find your denture getting loose after a few months, don't worry, this is the result of compaction/condensation. A reline will be needed if this occurs for you. It is hard to predict if you will need a reline due to this concept. If so, an additional fee will be required.

Since mouth tissues (and our bodies in general) are constantly in a state of change, biannual checkups are required. We need to screen you for oral cancer as well. Consider it a "dental physical". I cannot stress the importance of this appointment. Ill fitting dentures can cause irreversible damage to your gum tissue/bone. Relining (refitting) the denture is a relatively simple procedure that can reestablish the fit of the denture.

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IMMEDIATE DENTURE:

The immediate denture is necessary when teeth are planned to be removed and the denture is to be placed the same visit. You will never be without teeth. Once the denture is made we are then ready to remove the necessary teeth. The denture can be made to look similar to your natural teeth. We can add subtle touches, such as fillings, spaces, or even rotated teeth.

You will actually leave the office with teeth (the denture in your mouth). As the healing is taking place the denture will loosen and become uncomfortable.

Your mouth will change the rest of your life. That's why you will need to come in for check up examinations; just as if you had your own natural teeth.

The immediate denture will cause some sore spots on your gums and will need top be adjusted from time to time when this happens.

Post Op Instructions:

1.   Biting on the denture will promote clotting. Slight bleeding can last up to 2-3 days though.

2.   Use an ice compress on the affected area for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first 36 hours.

3.   Limit your diet to soft nurturing foods and plenty of fluids for the first week.

4.   Don't take the denture out the day it is inserted, rinse your mouth with warm salt water before going to bed. (1 tsp. Salt in 1 cup warm water.)

5.   Starting tomorrow carefully remove the denture twice a day and clean it with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water.

6.   As the denture becomes loose call for a reline appointment.

7.   Following your gum shrinkage period a new denture may need to be made.

8.   You may experience sore spots caused by the denture, call us for a simple adjustment when this happens.

PARTIAL DENTURES

When natural teeth are lost by accident, decay, or infection, it is sometimes necessary to replace them with a removable denture. The remaining natural teeth help hold the denture in place and share some of the chewing load.

The ultimate goal of the partial denture is to preserve the remaining natural teeth. Following insertion of a partial denture, the supporting teeth will usually be somewhat sore for several days. The gums will usually be tender for some time also, as there are now loads on them to which they are not accustomed. The key to success is your home care.

The removable partial denture:    There are "wires" or "hooks" called "clasps" that are a part of the removable denture. It is these wires that hold the partial to your remaining teeth. You will need to remove the denture after eating. Food will get on the teeth, around the edges of the denture, and under the denture. You must keep up with your cleaning appointments and you must keep everything clean at home.

If it's for the upper, the roof of your mouth is partially covered. I will try to minimize this palatal (roof) coverage.

It requires only 4 or 5 appointments to make. Treatment time is generally 4-6 weeks. "Problems" will begin to appear; cheek biting, soreness of the gums, the bite may require adjustment, teeth can chip. Don't worry, this is no surprise. As time passes and you become accustomed to the new "teeth" you will feel that they are apart of you.

The third phase is the after-treatment maintenance phase. This is the most important phase. You will need to have some adjustments from time to time. The teeth can discolor, chip, break off, plaque can accumulate on the denture, etc...

The denture may alter your taste sensation. It absorbs temperature and covers our gums so you won't feel the texture of food as well.

Post Op Instructions____________________________

Your new Removable Partial Dentures

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TIGHTEN THE CLASPS (metal hooks) YOURSELF!

   We have done our best to provide you with well-fitted, functional, and aesthetically pleasing partial dentures. We feel confident that after a few weeks of adjustment to them you will enjoy years of satisfaction and use from them. In the meantime, the following is information you need to know.

1. Your first few weeks. New dentures always feel strange when first placed in your mouth. Several days or even a few weeks will be required for you to feel accustomed to them.

2. Sore spots. Your mouth usually will have a few sore spots about 24 hours after you first put your new partial dentures in. A quick adjustment will usually eliminate any other sore spots.

3. Chewing. The new "bite" or occlusion may not feel comfortable for a period of days. We will adjust the contacting surfaces of your teeth at your subsequent appointments, after the denture has "settled" in.

4. Cleaning the dentures-and your mouth. Your partial dentures can be cleaned easily by using a denture brush and toothpaste. Use special care to clean parts of the partial that contact any natural teeth. Both the partial denture and the natural teeth must be kept very clean on a daily basis to reduce the chance for new

decay starting. Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Denture soaks will also help. Brush your gums with a regular toothbrush once per day to toughen and clean them. You may leave the dentures in or out of your mouth at night, depending on your preference. If they are left out of your mouth, leave them in a solution of water and mouthwash.

5. The future. Your jaw bones and gums shrink up to 1/32 of an inch per year when your teeth are missing. This is one of the main disadvantages of dentures. Because of this shrinkage, you should plan to have your dentures and oral tissues evaluated by us at least every six months. We will inform you when relining or rebasing of the dentures is necessary. Wearing ill fitting dentures for too long without refitting can cause sever bone loss and very serious oral disease.