Dentures – Houston, TX
The Tried-and-True Solution to Tooth Loss
When you have one or more missing teeth, there isn’t only your appearance to consider—although that is of course very important. After all, the way your smile appears to others can have a dramatic impact on you psychologically and emotionally. Beyond this, however, there are also the consequences to your oral and general health. Did you know that just one missing tooth increases the risk of gum disease and tooth decay? Read below for more info on dentures from our Houston, TX dentist.
Why Choose Sunrise Dental Center for Dentures?
- High-Quality Dental Materials Used
- Caring & Judgment-Free Dentistry
- We Accept Dental Insurance
Full Dentures
A full denture is intended to replace all of the teeth along your upper arch, your lower arch, or both. False teeth are mounted on a base designed to look like your gums. We take precise measurements of your mouth so our lab can create dentures that fit and that are attractive on you. Your full denture will be held in place by suction and the muscles of your tongue and cheeks. For additional security, many people apply a denture adhesive to the underside of the base.
Partial Dentures
Of course, there are many people who are missing only some of their teeth. In this case, your dentist will design a partial dentures for Heights dental patients. A removable partial denture slips between remaining teeth to fill the gap in your smile. This prosthetic is usually constructed on a metal frame and is held in place with clips or brackets that attach to nearby teeth.
Caring for Dentures and Partials
A full denture or a partial requires some special hygienic attention. Just like natural teeth and gums, false teeth and the base of your dentures need to be cleaned daily. Use a soft denture brush and denture cleaner—toothpaste and a regular toothbrush can too easily scratch dentures. When you’re not wearing your partial or dentures, they need to be kept in water or a denture cleaning solution. Air and heat are the enemies of dentures, because they can cause warping. And don’t forget that you still need to brush your teeth and gums, too. With proper care, dentures and partials can give you something to smile about for a long time.
Dentures Frequently Asked Questions
Life with new dentures can be strange at first, but you have the team at Sunrise Dental Center to get you through the initial adjustment process. We’ll listen carefully to your questions and concerns, and we’ll provide the answers you need to get the most out of your new smile. Below are examples of questions that a lot of our patients ask; we hope this addresses some of the issues that might be on your mind, and we invite you to reach out to us if there’s anything we’ve missed.
How long will I need to wait to get dentures after my tooth extraction?
Normally, it takes about six to eight weeks for the mouth to heal and for the dentures to be made. The extra time helps the gums to recover, which allows the dentures to have an improved fit. There are immediate dentures that can be placed on the same day as the extraction, but if you take that option, there won’t be any opportunity to preview the fit, so you might need an adjustment sooner rather than later.
Should I have all my teeth pulled so I can get a denture?
When we have the option of repairing or salvaging a tooth, we will always do so. It’s better to keep your natural smile rather than replace it. But sometimes, an extraction is absolutely necessary. If all or most of the teeth in the upper or lower arch have become decayed or infected, then it’s often better to have them all replaced with a denture than try to pay to have them all repaired. We will always explore all of the available options before definitively deciding to remove your teeth.
What can’t I eat with dentures?
It’s important to remember that with dentures, you can eat many different foods and will enjoy a much more complete diet than you would without teeth. However, it is recommended that you avoid:
- Anything sticky that could pull dentures out of place, i.e. peanut butter and gummy candies.
- Anything with small, hard-to-chew pieces that get stuck in dentures, i.e. popcorn kernels and shelled nuts.
- Hard foods that could break dentures, i.e. nuts, apples, and raw carrot sticks.
- Tough meats that require excessive chewing and put stress on your dentures, i.e. steak and pork chops.
Why do my dentures smell?
Sometimes bacteria get trapped in the different nooks and crannies of your dentures. The space between the dentures and the gums is a particularly likely target if your dentures don’t fit properly. To avoid bad breath:
- Use a specialized cleaner to brush your dentures every day.
- Clean your entire mouth, including your gums, tongue, and cheeks; bacteria can easily build up on these surfaces.
- Soak your dentures in disinfecting solution nightly.
- Rinse your dentures after every meal.
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