Is it painful to get dentures? What should I expect?
The process of getting dentures fitted is completely pain-free. It involves us taking accurate impressions of your mouth using dental putty and then getting dentures made for you that will fit your gums.
Depending on your circumstances, we may recommend extracting additional teeth as part of fitting your dentures. This may be due to a variety of reasons and not an option we take lightly. During your consultation, we will go through all your options to make sure you make an informed decision.
If further extractions are required, the procedure itself will typically be pain-free. You may experience some discomfort after the procedure as your gums heal.
Learn about
Getting Dentures in Epping
at
Optimum Dental
What are Dentures?
Dentures are artificial teeth and gums that are a cost-effective way to replace lost teeth. If you have missing teeth, either from injury or extraction, dentures are a great way to restore your smile and ability to eat.
Dentures, also known as ‘false teeth’, are a durable, removable appliance worn to replace missing teeth. They feature artificial teeth and gums and are a cost-effective way to replace lost teeth. They are fabricated using either acrylic or cobalt chrome to which false teeth are added. They are designed to best match your natural teeth and smile. If you have missing teeth, either from disease, injury or extraction, dentures are a great way to restore your smile and ability to eat. Additionally, they can help you retain normal speech, assist you with chewing, and can add support to your lips and chin as well as improve the appearance of your smile.
While it may look simple, getting dentures can be quite a complex process with many little nuances that require great attention to detail and years of experience. Dentures that don’t fit properly can cause discomfort and over time may cause you issues with your gums. It may also cost you more in the long run. The great news is that dentures have been evolving and improving over the years, making them more natural looking and more comfortable than ever. Dr Karu will provide you with a comprehensive assessment and work with you to determine which types of dentures will be most appropriate for you.
Should I get Dentures?
Getting dentures is one of many treatment options when you have missing teeth, particularly in the case of significant tooth loss. If you have lost your natural teeth due to damage, decay or injury, dentures can replace your missing teeth and restore your smile.
Missing teeth can cause the facial muscles to droop, causing a person to look older than they actually are. With the support from fully functioning teeth, you will appear youthful while being able to enjoy food and speak comfortably, just as if you still had your natural teeth. Dentures offer a cost-effective, natural looking solution to missing teeth, enhancing your appearance and benefiting your health. Additionally, if you are getting full dentures, we can design your smile to look exactly how you want it to look.
We also offer alternatives to dentures. They include Dental Implants and Bridges which are more permanent solutions. If you would like help deciding on which is best, please come see the Optimum Dental team and we can help you make the right decision.
Getting Dentures in Epping
Let us help you decide whether dentures are the right fit for you. We'll go through all your options and discuss all your alternatives and help you make the right decision.
Come see us today or schedule an appointment by calling us or using our online bookings system below.
What are the different types of dentures?
Conventional dentures are moulded over the mouth cavity once the teeth have been extracted and the gums have had several weeks to heal. Conversely, immediate dentures are moulded over the gums immediately after the teeth are extracted. Conventional dentures may leave you toothless for over a month, but having them moulded to your healed gums ensures a perfectly comfortable fit inside the mouth cavity.
Immediate dentures offer the appeal of having your new teeth straight away. But because they have been moulded to your gums before they have had time to heal and take their final shape, you will be required to revisit your dentist for adjustments to ensure a correct fit. A downside of immediate dentures is that they may result in ill-fitting and uncomfortable dentures, creating a higher cost for modifications in the long run.
If the idea of being without teeth for several weeks is too uncomfortable for you, immediate dentures will ensure you are confident with your appearance right after your tooth extractions. If you wish to save money and receive dentures that fit perfectly inside your healed mouth, conventional dentures are the solution for you.
If you are considering dentures, there are two main options being partial dentures or full dentures. Partial dentures are used to fill any gaps left by missing teeth and replace only one or several teeth, whereas full dentures replace a whole set of teeth (upper, lower or both), bringing you full mobility. A partial denture is suitable for patients who still have some natural teeth remaining. Full or complete dentures are suitable for patients who have lost most or all of their natural teeth.
Dentures are kept in place by either using clasps which anchor around neighbouring teeth or by the dentures’ natural suction. On occasions a denture fixative or glue is recommended to aid in keeping the denture in place. All dentures are designed by the dentist or our dental technician to suit each patient’s individual needs.
Another type of dentures is known as ‘immediate dentures’ that can be manufactured and inserted on the same day as your tooth extractions. Immediate dentures can be worn while you are healing from your tooth extractions. Conventional dentures (partial or full dentures) can take between 2 to 3 weeks to manufacture. They are made to be inserted after the gums have healed from any extractions and this can take several weeks. When Dr Karu inserts your denture, he will ensure the fit is perfect for you and continue to make adjustments to make them as comfortable as possible.
What are the differences between conventional and immediate dentures?
What is the process of getting dentures?
We will first evaluate your current dental condition, including a full examination of your teeth and gums. For partial dentures, x-rays may be necessary to evaluate whether your teeth are strong enough to support a denture. It is possible that you may need teeth extracted and your healing time will depend on how many teeth are removed.
Once everything has settled and we know that there's nothing that may impact the fit of your dentures, our dentist will take impressions of your mouth so that custom dentures that fit your mouth perfectly can be made. Together with your dentist, you can tailor the size, shape and colour of your dentures to your individual requirements. Both immediate and conventional dentures may involve subsequent appointments to get the perfect fit. If you want the best results for your dentures, get in touch with Optimum Dental today.