Dental Health
Dentures
Acknowledgments: This section was developed by DVA Dental Advisers.
A denture is an appliance that replaces teeth. It may be used to replace some teeth in the jaw (partial denture) or all the teeth (full denture). Many removable dentures are kept in place by clips that attach to the sides of the remaining teeth. A denture is different from a crown or a bridge as the wearer can remove and replace dentures at will. A crown or bridge is fixed or cemented in place and cannot be removed.
What is involved in getting a denture?
Before any denture treatment is undertaken, it is recommended that you have a thorough dental check-up. If you are having full dentures, it will involve an examination of the mouth and an assessment of the health of the gums and other soft tissues of the mouth. If you are having a partial denture, this check-up will include a full examination of your teeth, gums and other soft tissues of your mouth. At this check-up X-rays (radiographs) may be taken to ensure the teeth are healthy, and strong enough to support a denture. You then have impressions, bite records, trial wax insertions and then the final insertion and instructions.
Dentures can cause mouth problems if they do not fit well.
After teeth are lost, the bone beneath the gums begins to shrink, and over time dentures will become loose because of this change in the bone. For this reason, dentures need to be relined when they become loose. If not relined, the gum tissues may overgrow and become painful or ulcerated. This relining will need to be done between 3 to 6 months after your teeth have been removed. Your dentist will advise you when your immediate denture is ready to be relined.
Caring for your dentures
All dentures lose their fit through natural changes in your mouth. Caring for dentures is as important as caring for natural teeth. Make sure you:
- Clean all denture surfaces daily - you can use dishwashing soaps or detergents applied with a brush
- Store dentures in water when you are not using them - add antibacterial denture tablets to the water if you like, but they do not substitute for thorough daily cleaning
- Don't put up with any discomfort with dentures - always have the problem checked by your dentist
- Clean your dentures over a bowl or sink of water - this way if you drop them they will not break
- Avoid very abrasive cleaners - they will damage the surface of dentures
- Do NOT try to repair broken dentures with contact cement or glue. This weakens the plastic resin in the dentures and prevents a proper repair from being done by a dentist
- Try to avoid peppermint oil lollies and sweets as they can soften the plastic material of a denture and make it very soft
- Very hot water can damage dentures and should not be used when cleaning.