Dentures
Dentures in San Antonio
Dentures are removable appliances that help restore smiles by replacing missing teeth. The Masters Dental Group typically recommends dentures to patients under two circumstances—for patients suffering from periodontal disease (gingivitis), or those with extensive dental cavities.
Gingivitis may cause extensive bone loss in the jaw, leading to loose teeth that can’t be saved. In the case of dental cavities, the decay on the teeth may be so severe that they must be extracted for the patient’s health.
What Are Dentures?
Conventional — After our dentist removes the remaining teeth and the tissues heal, they fit a fully-removable denture in the mouth. The healing process could take several months.
Immediate — Our dentist inserts a removable denture on the same day they remove the remaining teeth. They take measurements and make models of the jaw during a preliminary visit. Patients don’t have to be without teeth during the healing period, but adjustments to the dentures may be needed, or even having them remade after the jaw heals fully.
Overdenture or Partial Denture — Sometimes our dentist can save some of the teeth to preserve the jawbone and provide stability and support for the new dentures. An overdenture fits over a small number of the remaining natural teeth, which function similarly to dental implants.
What Are the Benefits of Dentures?
How Are Dentures Cared For?
Practicing good dental hygiene is a necessity, even when wearing a full set of dentures. It’s important to brush the gums, tongue, and even the roof of the mouth every morning before inserting the dentures. Doing this helps to stimulate some circulation in the tissues and helps to remove unwanted plaque.
Caring for dentures is like caring for natural teeth. Brush the dentures daily to remove food particles and plaque, and to help prevent them from staining. Use a soft toothbrush so as not to scratch the surface of the dentures, and don’t forget to clean the mouth thoroughly.
Including the gums, cheeks, roof of the mouth, and tongue helps reduce the risk of oral irritation or bad breath. Lastly, when not wearing the dentures, put them in a safe place, covered in water, to keep them from becoming disfigured.
What to Expect With Dentures?
It’s normal for new dentures to feel awkward for a few weeks, while the cheek muscles and tongue learn to keep them in place. It’s not unusual to experience minor irritation and soreness at first. There might also be an increase of saliva flow too.
As the mouth becomes accustomed to the new dentures, these minor issues should go away over time. The Masters Dental Group recommends scheduling follow up appointments, to check the fit of the dentures and adjust, if necessary. They’ll be happy to answer any questions and make sure patients leave the office feeling their best.
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