A Step-by-Step Guide for Getting Dentures

Why Do You Need Dentures?

Dentures are artificial teeth used as replacements for lost natural teeth. Losing teeth is an unfortunate experience that can occur due to oral trauma caused by an accidental fall or automobile accident. Severe tooth decay and other dental health diseases like gum disease and mouth cancer can also lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease is the most common cause of tooth loss. Others include; genetic diseases, jaw injury, dental extraction, tooth infection, and poor dental care practices.

There also are risk factors for teeth loss. They include:

• Being male
• People with rheumatoid arthritis
• Above 35 years of age
• Cigarette smokers
• People with heart problems or diabetes

Without teeth in your oral cavity, it will be difficult to eat and chew most foods and speak properly, and your beautiful facial profile and appearance will be disfigured. Dentures were thus invented to help restore the chewing difficulties, speech problems, and disproportional facial appearance caused by losing teeth.

Dentures are customized to serve people missing a few teeth and those who need their gums, teeth, and surrounding oral tissues replaced. You can get dentures near you at Arte Dental in Plano. Visit our dentist in 75024 to get full, partial, and temporary dentures.

The Step-by-Step Process of Getting Dentures

To be viable for dentures, you must have healthy gum tissue and enough jawbone tissue remaining. This is because artificial teeth require enough support from remaining natural tissue for them to stay in place longer.

1. Consultation

Getting dentures begins with a consultation visit to our dentist in Plano, TX, where they’ll examine your existing teeth, gum tissue, and bone structure. An oral x-ray may be required to determine the denture type that suits you, either the full or partial dentures.

Full dentures

Full or complete dentures are made of lower and upper sets of removal devices and are used when someone loses all their teeth. The artificial teeth are made of acrylic or porcelain materials with a metallic or acrylic base that holds them together. The upper and lower parts of the dentures lie on the gum tissue while the suction holds them in place. Your dentist can also apply denture adhesives to help secure the dentures as well as prevent food particles from getting trapped under, causing discomfort.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are used to replace multiple but not entire missing teeth on the upper and lower parts of the mouth. The dentures are removable and enhance the wearer’s speech and chewing abilities. They also help keep your remaining teeth from shifting out of place, which is normally the case if missing teeth are not replaced over time.

Once a specific type of denture is chosen, the dentist will take measurements of the facial contours of the patient and their dental impression as well. Next, the impressions are sent to a dental lab, where they’ll make a customized set of dentures.

2. Initial Fitting

Once the dentures are made, the initial fitting process will follow. The dentures are first placed in a wax base before being inserted; whereafter, your dentist will examine their aesthetic and how well they fit in your mouth. Once you are both comfortable with the design and fit, your dentist will approve them, and an acrylic base is used for the final fitting to make them look naturalistic.

3. Final Step

In the final step, fine adjustments like comfort assessment after the acrylic base are added, and an overall fit analysis is made. This is where you get to retest its comfortability and decide if any adjustments are needed. You should note that they may feel strange initially, but with time you’ll get used to it.

Make sure to follow the aftercare instructions given by the prosthodontist or dentist to ensure fast healing and comfort. If the dentures are removable, avoid removing them all the time. You need to wear the dentures throughout the day for you to get used to wearing them.

You’ll be advised to consume soft foods for the first few days to avoid additional discomfort. Never ever bite into a granola bar or an apple with the dentures, as this can cause your dentures to dislodge. Remember to brush your gums and dentures regularly to prevent bad breath and bacteria buildup.

Get Dentures Near You

Are you looking to get dentures in Plano, TX 75024? Give us a call or schedule a consultation with our dentist today!