Understanding Different Types of Dentures
Full dentures replace all teeth in either the upper or lower arch—or both if you’ve lost all your natural teeth. The base is custom-made acrylic that rests on your gums and creates suction against the roof of your mouth for upper dentures. Lower dentures are inherently less stable since the tongue takes up space where suction would otherwise help, though properly fitted lower dentures still function well with practice.
The artificial teeth attached to the base are selected based on your facial features, skin tone, and preferences. Your dentist helps choose the size, shape, and shade that look natural for your age and features. The arrangement mimics how natural teeth grow, including slight variations in position and angle that prevent the unnaturally perfect appearance of obviously fake teeth.
Partial dentures fill gaps when you still have some healthy, natural teeth remaining. They consist of replacement teeth attached to a gum-colored base connected by a metal framework that clasps onto your remaining natural teeth for stability. Partials prevent remaining teeth from shifting into empty spaces while restoring your ability to chew properly. They’re removable for cleaning, unlike fixed bridges that stay permanently in your mouth.
The Process of Getting Dentures
Initial Appointments and Impressions
Creating dentures requires multiple appointments over several weeks. Your dentist first examines your mouth, takes X-rays if needed, and discusses which type of denture suits your situation. If you have remaining teeth that need extraction, those come out first, with healing time before denture fabrication begins—though immediate dentures can be placed the same day as extractions if you don’t want to go without teeth during healing.
Accurate impressions of your gums are crucial for a proper fit. Your dentist takes preliminary impressions, then creates custom impression trays that fit your specific anatomy for more precise final impressions. These detailed molds capture every contour of your gums and surrounding tissues, allowing the lab to fabricate dentures that fit as closely as possible.
Try-In Appointments and Adjustments
Before final dentures are completed, you’ll have try-in appointments where you wear wax models containing the arranged teeth. This lets you see how they’ll look, test how they feel, and request changes to tooth size, shape, color, or positioning. Your bite relationship is verified to ensure upper and lower teeth come together properly. These try-ins prevent surprises when you receive your finished dentures.
Once you approve the try-in, the lab processes the final dentures in durable acrylic. At your delivery appointment, your dentist ensures proper fit, makes any necessary adjustments, and teaches you how to insert and remove them. You’ll receive instructions for cleaning and care, along with what to expect during the adjustment period.
Adapting to Life with Dentures
The Initial Adjustment Period
New dentures feel bulky and foreign at first—your mouth is incredibly sensitive to changes, so even perfectly fitted dentures take getting used to. Speaking might sound different as your tongue adapts to the reduced space and the presence of the denture base. Practice reading aloud at home to accelerate adjustment. Eating requires relearning—start with soft foods cut into small pieces, chew slowly using both sides of your mouth simultaneously, and avoid biting with front teeth initially since that can dislodge dentures.
Increased saliva production is normal initially as your body responds to the foreign object. This subsides within a few days as you acclimate. Some people experience sore spots where the denture rubs against gums—contact your dentist for adjustments rather than suffering through pain or trying to modify dentures yourself.
Daily Care and Maintenance
Remove and rinse dentures after eating to wash away food particles. Brush them daily with a soft-bristled brush and denture cleaner—never regular toothpaste, which is too abrasive and damages denture material. Handle them carefully over a folded towel or sink filled with water since dropping dentures can crack or break them.
Soak dentures overnight in denture solution or water to keep the material from drying out and warping. This also gives your gum tissues time to recover from the pressure of wearing dentures all day. Brush your gums, tongue, and any remaining natural teeth each morning before inserting dentures to stimulate circulation and remove bacteria.
Dentures in Parma Require Periodic Adjustments
Your gums and jawbone gradually change shape over time, especially during the first year after tooth loss. These changes affect how dentures fit—what started as snug can become loose as bone shrinks and gum tissue remodels. Loose dentures move during eating and speaking, creating sore spots and reducing chewing efficiency.
Denture relines add material to the tissue-facing surface, improving fit without replacing the entire denture. Soft relines use pliable material that cushions against gums, while hard relines use rigid acrylic similar to the original denture base. Most dentures need relining every two to three years. Eventually, after five to seven years typically, dentures wear down enough that replacement becomes more practical than continued adjustments.
Regular dental checkups remain important even with full dentures. Your dentist examines your gums and remaining bone structure, screens for oral cancer, and assesses denture fit and condition. Catching problems early prevents discomfort and maintains your ability to eat and speak normally.
Consider Implant-Supported Options
Traditional dentures can be converted to implant-supported versions that snap onto dental implants for dramatically improved stability. Even two implants in the lower jaw make a significant difference in denture retention and chewing ability. This hybrid approach costs less than full-arch implant restorations while providing better function than conventional dentures alone.
Restore Your Smile and Confidence
Missing teeth don’t have to limit your life or keep you from smiling freely. Schedule a consultation at Trailridge Family Dental to discuss how dentures can restore your ability to eat comfortably, speak clearly, and smile confidently again.