A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Two types of dentures available are, complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.

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Complete Dentures

Complete dentures can be either "conventional" or "immediate."

Made after the removal of the teeth when the gum tissue has begun to heal, a conventional denture is ready for placement in the mouth about eight to 12 weeks after the teeth have been removed.

Unlike conventional dentures, immediate dentures are made in prior to the removal of teeth and can be positioned as soon as the teeth are removed. As a result, the denture wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums shrink over time, especially during the healing period following tooth removal. Therefore a disadvantage of immediate dentures compared with conventional dentures is that they require more adjustments to fit properly during the healing process and generally should only be considered a temporary solution until conventional dentures can be made.

Premium Dentures

Custom Characterized dentures are ideal for you if you desire exclusive features and the best value. This option provides the ultimate way to create more natural-looking teeth.

Premium Dentures Include:

• Top Quality acrylic base plate for more natural looking gums
• Options for whiter shades of teeth and improved odor resistance
• Shrink-free process for a more comfortable, confident and secure fit
• Replacement "Safety" denture (extra set)
• Free annual check-up with oral cancer screening and professional cleaning
• Free reline in first 3 years, if necessary

Valplast Flexible Partial Dentures

Not only does a partial denture fill in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from changing position. When you are ready to replace missing teeth you have a number of potential solutions available, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Replacing your missing teeth is a big decision and it is important to consider several factors. You don’t have to make this decision alone. Your dentist can help you assess the choices in light of your clinical needs, personal preferences and financial considerations and help you determine which one is best for you. Choose what you want to eat, not what your teeth will let you eat!

Valplast® flexible partials could be the solution for you to replace one or more teeth. Unlike more traditional ridged, bulky and unstable dental materials Valplast flexible partial denture are made from a flexible plastic material which fits neatly into your mouth and is virtually invisible. They do NOT require any unsightly metal clasps to keep them in place.

Most Valplast Flexible Partials are fabricated without the use of a metal frame - made instead from a strong, durable plastic that snaps securely and comfortably into place around your existing teeth.

The plastic used is so strong that the partial dentures made from it can be very thin, eliminating that heavy, bulky feeling that made wearing partials so unpleasant in the old days. As it is very thin it picks up the characteristics of the underlying tissue.

Flexible Partials blend in well with the natural appearance of your gums, making the partial virtually invisible.

How Are Dentures Made?

The denture development process takes a few weeks and several appointments. Once we determine what type of appliance is best for you, the general steps are to:

• Make a series of impressions of your jaw and take measurements of how your jaws relate to one another and how much space is between them.
• Create models, wax forms, and/or plastic patterns in the exact shape and position of the denture to be made. You will
  "try in" this model several times and the denture will be assessed for color, shape, and fit before the final denture is
  cast.
• Cast a final denture.
• Adjustments will be made as necessary.

Getting Used to Your New Dentures

Some patients find the experience of wearing a denture for the first time to be challenging. A denture is a foreign object, it may not duplicate the exact feel and function of your natural teeth. Initially it will be a new sensation that will take you a period of time to adjust.

Time, Patience & Will Power

New dentures can be a somewhat trying experience for some patients. Dentures often will feel strange and bulky and will cause a feeling of fullness of the lips and cheeks. In time, these feelings will subside and you will feel more comfortable. Time, patience and will power are your biggest allies.

Other Symptoms

You may also experience slurred speech, gagging, excessive salivation and funny or diminished taste. Again, these issues usually disappear over time. However, if they continue, please contact our office to let the dental staff know about your particular difficulty. We’re here to help you!

Learning to Chew with Your New Dentures

It is especially difficult to adjust to a lower denture, because it "floats" on your lower gums and will not have the suction that your upper denture has. It will move around in your mouth, even out of your mouth, until you have mastered it.

Lower Denture Challenges

New dentures can be a somewhat trying experience for some patients. Dentures often will feel strange and bulky and will cause a feeling of fullness of the lips and cheeks. In time, these feelings will subside and you will feel more comfortable. Time, patience and will power are your biggest allies.

Try resting your tongue against the inside, front edge of the lower denture to help hold it in place. Until you learn good tongue and lip control, adhesives are recommended. Adhesives may also be useful for upper dentures. If you are an existing denture wearer and have become accustomed to adhesives, you most likely will have to continue using adhesives for your dentures.

Caring for Your Dentures

Daily care and cleaning of your dentures is very important to help keep them looking their best and prevent stains and denture odor. For everyday cleaning, use a soft brush and a cleaning agent, such as soap and water, or products sold especially to clean dentures. Be sure to brush both the inside and outside of your denture. This will help eliminate harmful bacteria. We also suggest soaking your denture in water or a denture cleaning agent when you take them out at night.

To help prevent breakage in the event you accidentally drop your dentures while cleaning them, we strongly recommend that you hold them over a sink filled with water. You may also want to cushion the sink and counter with a soft cloth or towel.

Are There Alternatives to Dentures?

Yes, dental implants can be used to support cemented bridges, eliminating the need for a denture. The cost is usually greater, but the implants and bridges more closely resemble the feel of real teeth. Dental implants are becoming the alternative to dentures but not everyone is a candidate for implants. Consult Dr. Kaur for advice.

What Do New Dentures Feel Like?

New dentures may feel a little odd or loose for a few weeks until the muscles of the cheeks and tongue learn to keep them in place and you get comfortable inserting and removing them. Also, it is not unusual for minor irritation or soreness to occur and for saliva flow to increase when you first start wearing dentures, but these problems will diminish as the mouth adjusts.

Will Dentures Make Me Look Different?

Dentures are made to closely resemble your natural teeth so there should be only a small noticeable change in appearance. In fact, dentures may even improve your smile and fill out your facial appearance.

Will Dentures Change How I Speak?

After getting dentures, you may have difficulty pronouncing certain words. If so, practice by saying the difficult words out loud. With practice and with time you will become accustomed to speaking properly with dentures.

If dentures "click" while you're talking, contact us at Gainesville Dental Arts. Dentures may occasionally slip when you laugh, cough, or smile. Reposition the dentures by gently biting down and swallowing. If any speaking problem persists, consult Dr. Kaur.

Are Dentures Worn 24 Hours a Day?

We will instruct you as to how long to wear dentures and when to remove them. During the first several days after receiving your denture, you may be asked to wear it all the time, including while you sleep. Although this may be temporarily uncomfortable, it is the quickest way to identify the areas on the denture that may need adjustment. Once adjustments are made, you should remove dentures before going to bed. This allows gum tissues to rest and allows normal stimulation and cleansing by the tongue and saliva. The denture can be put back in the mouth in the morning.

For more information on dentures or to schedule an appointment, call Gainesville Dental Arts in Gainesville, Haymarket Virginia.