Should you have missing teeth, there are a lot of replacement options ranging from implants, dentures, to bridges, but your dentist can recommend which is best for you.

In a case where your dentist recommends dentures for your treatment, there are a plethora of dentures available on the market. Each of these are designed using specific materials fit for different purposes. It might be confusing right to choose the right one. However, this article is aimed at explaining the different types of dentures you can get at a denture clinic. 

The options include:

• Full dentures

Also called complete dentures, these are removable dentures made of upper and lower sets. It’s made from porcelain or acrylic and bonded together by a metal or an acrylic base. You may need full dentures if you’ve lost all your teeth so you can have a better smile again.

Your gum tissue accommodates the upper and lower dentures while suction keeps them in position. To secure your dentures and prevent food particles from hiding beneath them, a denture adhesive is used. At a denture care clinic, full dentures are available and can last between 5 to 10 years if properly cared for and maintained.

• Fixed bridge

For missing teeth replacement, this treatment involves cementing a crown (artificial tooth) to your remaining natural teeth on both sides. Fixed bridges are more pricey than removable dentures since they’re surgically fixed.

• Partial dentures

These are used to cover gaps caused by missing teeth. Partial dentures are available for upper and/or lower teeth and are removable if necessary. Should you be missing quite a few teeth, a denture centre can provide this treatment.

• Cantilever bridge

If you have a missing molar and lack teeth on one side to support the bridge, your dentist may recommend a cantilever bridge. Here, one or more teeth on the opposite side are used to provide support.

• Snap-on dentures

As the name implies, these dentures snap on and off of implants inserted in your jawbone via surgery. Snap-on dentures stay in place, giving you the liberty to chew your food. Any of our denturists can provide this treatment.

• Implants

Implants or dental implants look like your teeth roots. Through surgery, implants are inserted into your jawbone, and with time, they get bonded, giving a more natural appearance. Just after surgery or in 6 months, the implants are covered with a prosthetic.

• Implant-supported fixed dentures

These dentures come with a crown fastened onto implants inserted in your jawbone via surgery. They are held in position by screws. This is part of our denture services at our practice.

• Flexible dentures

These look natural since they have no metal parts. They’re designed with different materials from the typical partial dentures. You may find them very comfortable to wear. So many flexible dentures are manufactured from thin thermoplastic like nylon and available at a denture dental clinic.

Temporary dentures

Once your teeth have been removed, your dentist will take models of your teeth to design your permanent dentures. Meanwhile, to reduce pressure on your remaining natural teeth during eating, you’ll have to wear temporary dentures–this helps your mouth heal or help with previous issues of sensitive teeth or gums. At Illawarra Denture clinic, we provide these dentures for suitable patients. 

Regardless of which kind of denture you get, taking proper care and maintaining them is important. For people experiencing physical impairments, we also offer a full range of orthotics and prosthetics treatments. 

As a dentures wearer, it is important to avoid gummy or sticky foods like raisins, peanut butter, marshmallow treats, caramel, and taffy. These food tend to stick to the lower and upper molars of the teeth. The consequent and undesirable effect of this is the displacement of your dentures. You don’t want that, do you? Below, we have explained 5 foods you shouldn’t eat and why you shouldn’t eat them while wearing your dentures. 

1. Any kind of nut-type butter

It is best to avoid any form of nut butter, whether from almonds, peanut, etc. This is because you’ll find yourself constantly trying to get the remains off the root of your mouth, in addition to your dentures slipping off. Our denturist recommends that you resort to other kinds of spreads like pate or hummus tapenades. 

1. Any food that is hard to chew

It is pertinent to expound that chewing with dentures requires using both sides of the mouth at the same time. Hence, you should be aware that digging into raw vegetables or biting into a steak can dislodge and destabilise your dentures. You should therefore not eat any hard food that will cause additional pressure on your dentures. Otherwise, you stand the risk of developing sore spots. 

However, we recommend that you cut any hard-to-chew foods into smaller bite-sized pieces. You get to enjoy your meal this way. You don’t have to cancel out veggies (such as carrots) or raw fruits (like pear). All you have to do is blend them into your special smoothie treat. 

1. Nuts and seeds

Alright, we know how essential nuts are in nutrition and diet. Regardless, we advise denture wearers to be careful with these foods. For one, you can get some little end bits stuck in between your gums and dentures. Also, keep in mind that nuts require a one-sided chewing action when biting down in your mouth. This, therefore, becomes a problem since wearing dentures requires that you chew with a balanced action, i.e., biting down on both sides of the mouth. By implication, excessive pressure on one side of the mouth can cause the denture on the other side to be displaced. 

This is why it’s strongly recommend that you steer clear of nuts when served as a snack. We also advise that you consider seedless types of bread like rye or whole wheat. 

1. Sticky candy

Our Corrimal dentist advises against the consumption of candies, peanut brittle, and toffee. As a denture wearer, eating candy is a guaranteed way to get your dentures displaced. This is why we frown against it. 

We understand that you can have some cravings for a sweet. You can always try some sugar-free gum, especially because it serves a dual purpose in increasing your saliva production. Saliva serves as a lubricant for dentures. It prevents friction and irritation to the gums. 

1. Coffee and Tea

First of all, excessive caffeine is not good for health. Moreover, coffee and tea are sure to stain your dentures just as they would with your natural teeth. Also, caffeine has a dehydrating effect that causes ‘dry mouth’. This is bad for denture wearers since they have to be conscious about keeping a moist mouth. However, if you must take any source of caffeine, then ensure you balance it out by taking lots of fluid that will boost the flow of saliva in your mouth. 

In all, do not forget that the most important thing you need when getting used to new dentures is perseverance, patience, and practice. At Illawarra dental clinic, we believe that oral health should not be jeopardised for any reason. Contact us today for more information.

Taking the decision to have dentures is an important step in your journey towards a better laugh, smile, improved eating, and speaking. Be it one or two or your entire teeth that you are missing, with dentures you can chew food better as they provide support for your jaw and face muscles.

Some people quickly get used to the perks of having dentures, but it takes some time to get used to having this dental treatment.

Should you have had your teeth taken out due to tooth decay, gum disease, or serious body contact, you might want to consult our Corrimal dentist for more details on what to expect during a full or partial denture treatment including the benefits.

Here are some things you should prepare for:

Your first appointment

When you have decided to have dentures, your dentist will refer you to an expert denturist for your first consultation and fitting. Here, impressions of your teeth will be taken to design your permanent dentures. Your tooth will be extracted, and other dental preparations will follow suit as you keep visiting.

Tooth extraction

Upon taking your impressions, 5 to 8 teeth on each side of your mouth will be removed simultaneously. Should you have a few teeth left, all remaining chompers might be extracted in this appointment. When the inflammation and soreness have reduced, you will be asked to visit the clinic to take out a second set of 5 to 8 teeth, and it continues. You can visit the Corrimal dental clinic for a hassle-free tooth extraction.

Temporary dentures

Also called immediate dentures, these devices are used to cover up the missing teeth of patients awaiting their permanent dentures. Temporary dentures require regular relining since there is an adjustment of bones and gums as the mouth heals.

Permanent dentures

These dentures are fitted into the patient’s mouth after it has healed. This healing period usually spans up to 6 months. The first few weeks may see patients having difficulty speaking, eating, and experiencing soreness and stiffness in the jaw. Over time, all these discomforts will fade. Our expert Dapto dentists can help you with some pain-relieving techniques. For eating, it is recommended that your food should be cut into smaller pieces that are easy to chew particularly fruits and vegetables. 

Denture care

Just like people take care of their natural teeth, do the same for your dentures so that bacteria and plaque do not build up. Rinse your dentures very thoroughly after each meal, and have your tongue, gums, and remaining teeth cleaned properly before wearing them again. Also, brush your dentures with a non-abrasive toothpaste and soak them all night to prevent dryness.

Lastly, schedule an appointment with any of our dentists in Dapto to ensure your dentures fit snugly onto your gums as a tight or loose fit can trigger mouth sores.

We can help you prepare for your new dentures by providing useful advice and answering all your questions.

Contact us today!

People with missing teeth can get dentures as a replacement for their natural teeth. Although dentures may not be exact teeth replacement, they can help patients carry on with eating food.

Sometimes, patients using dentures can experience difficulties. Here are some of the problems typical with dentures and their solutions:

Eating difficulty 

It’s true that with dentures, you may not feel the pain from missing teeth, tooth infections, and other dental problems when you eat. However, some patients still experience some challenges in eating with dentures because it’s not the same as with your natural teeth. 

Fix

• Cut your food into smaller pieces before eating as there isn’t much room in your mouth for chewing with dentures
• Learn to chew your food slowly with both sides of your mouth. This will keep your dentures in position
• Don’t eat hard or sticky foods in the first few months of having your dentures. Foods like burgers and pizzas can make your dentures come loose
• See your dentist or visit a denture centre to be sure your dentures fit correctly. For a proper fit and ease of eating, your dentist may have to adjust your dentures periodically

Difficulty speaking 

Most patients experience problems speaking with dentures. Getting used to talking with dentures in your mouth may take a few days or weeks.

Fix

• Learn how to talk with your dentures either by reading aloud or singing along with your radio in private. Constant practice will make you feel more comfortable speaking.

Dentures not correctly positioned

• Try different adhesives to secure your dentures if they’re slipping slightly. Should you have any problem with slipping dentures, any of our denturists can recommend the best adhesive to use
• See a dentist if after using a good adhesive, the problem of slipping persists. They can help you adjust them.

Mouth infections

Tooth infections leading to chronic loss of teeth is why most patients go for dentures. So, it becomes scary when denture users have common denture infections. Patients can experience any of these two common mouth infections:

• Stomatitis: This infection typically affects the upper denture and is also a product of yeast overgrowth. It’s characterised by little reddish bumps along the roof of your mouth or general redness under your upper dentures. This infection can affect diabetic persons, those who take antibiotics or steroids, and people who don’t keep their dentures clean 
• Cheilitis: This one is caused by yeast overgrowth stemming from poorly fitting dentures. Painful inflammation, cracks in mouth corners are some of the symptoms.

Fix

• Consult your dentist if you’re having symptoms of these infections for proper denture care and treatment
• Practice good dental hygiene and keep your dentures clean always. Don’t sleep with your dentures in, rather soak them in a denture cleaner overnight. See your dentist for more tips and denture repairs.

With the right knowledge, you can get optimum results with your dentures. Don’t allow these problems disturb you.

Contact us for more information.

This is one question a lot of persons ask, especially those who are new to or considering dentures. One of the perks of having dentures is that people who need dentures don’t need surgery to fix them like in the case of a dental implant. So if you are afraid of pain and surgery, you can go for it. The procedure is minimally invasive, however, you have to wear your dentures for the whole day. Dentures are effective and easy. So, if you want a comfortable teeth replacement, the choice is yours to make. Finding the most comfortable dentures is dependent on several factors, like your dental health conditions and financial strength. 

Let us show you some other tips that can help you get dentures that are hassle-free.

Single or double teeth replacement

An implant bridge is ideal for closing the gap and connecting adjacent teeth where you are missing one or two teeth. However, if you require a denture, then a snap-on denture or flexible denture is the best. Flexible dentures rest easy on your gums; aligning with its features. With this, gum bruises are evaded, and your dentures can last forever. But there are certain things to consider regarding the position of the denture:

• Molars – A great amount of chewing pressure is exerted on the molars at the lower end of the teeth. Here, a bridge is the best recommendation rather than a flexible denture
• Upper front and bottom teeth – These teeth don’t experience so much pressure like those at the back and as such, appearance is most considered than strength. So, colour-matching partial dentures will be very comfortable as replacement treatment, so your dentures don’t look different from your adjacent teeth.
• Single or double back molars – You don’t need to replace a missing wisdom tooth! Why? It doesn’t affect your teeth activities like chewing and smiling. But in a case where two or more back molars are bad, supporting the implant with a denture becomes important. Should you prefer comfort, a partial denture is also a great recommendation.
• Replacing multiple teeth – If you are missing a large set of teeth, you should consider a partial supported or implant-supported denture for replacement.
• Full or complete denture – Where you need to replace most of your missing teeth, it is recommended you go for a full or complete denture as it is less expensive and provides more comfort as compared to denture implants.

Depending on the situation, quite a number of materials can be used to design dentures. For narrow dentures, metal will be most preferred over plastic as it has strength. You can also have an acrylic denture since it’s easy to mould making future adjustments easier.

We can help you in making a choice of the best dental treatment when you contact us. At our practice, all your questions and concerns will be taken care of by any of our experienced and smart denturists.

Get in touch with us today.