Dentures

Dentures are prosthetic devise that are used to replace teeth that have been lost. Dentures are made from acrylic material and can be removed every night or fixed to dental implants. Regardless of what kind of dentures you may need, they will be custom designed to fit your mouth, and visually matched to your existing teeth.

Why would you want a denture?

• Dentures help people who have missing teeth chew food and make it possible to keep a balanced diet.
• Wearing dentures also gives a more natural appearance to the face, supporting the lips and cheeks.
• Dentures help with speaking, especially if the person is missing front teeth.
• By replacing missing teeth, dentures make people more confident and more social.
• Dentures are a great alternative for people who have teeth with decaying roots or severe damage, which can cause serious pain.

There are several different types of dentures:

• Conventional Denture: Full or complete dentures are made and placed in your mouth after the remaining teeth were removed and tissues have healed, which may take several months. Regular dentures are removable, and can be partial or full dentures. Full or complete dentures replace all teeth. They sit on the top of the gums. Partial dentures are used if you still have some teeth; they rest on metal framework that attach to your natural teeth.
• Immediate Denture: This removable denture is placed on the same day of the teeth removal, so you don’t have to be without your teeth while the gum tissue is healing. The denture may need to be adjusted after your jaw has healed.
• Overdenture: Sometimes some of your teeth can be saved to preserve your jawbone and provide stability and support for the denture. If the teeth aren’t worth saving, implants can be placed to support the overdenture.

Getting Dentures at Bethesda Dental Smiles

The process of getting dentures will start after your teeth have been removed and the tissue area is healed. Dr. Ketsela will take an impression and will send it to the dental lab. If you are getting an immediate denture, the measurements are taken before the extraction, and denture is placed after the extraction. Our lab will make your custom-made denture. It may require a few visits to make sure they fit your mouth perfectly.

New dentures may feel awkward for a couple of weeks, until you can get used to them. If you don’t think the fit is just right, be sure to call our Bethesda dental office, as they might need to be adjusted.

Eating with Dentures

It will take a few days to get used to your dentures: how to wear them and how to eat with them. Start with soft foods like pudding, warm cereal, yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, and other soft vegetables. After a couple of days, you may start with some solid foods. Try to chew evenly on both sides. You should avoid some foods, including sticky food, seeds, hard foods, and tough meats.

Denture Care

Even with dentures, you need to brush your mouth every day before putting them in. Like your teeth, dentures should be brushed daily to remove food particles and plaque.

For the best possible experience, follow these guidelines:

• Avoid smoking
• Clean your dentures properly
• Soak your denture in disinfectant solution
• Don’t wear your denture while sleeping
• Use a topical antifungal agents

Dr. Ketsela and the Bethesda Dental Smiles team provide comprehensive denture care and a positive experience. Getting dentures can be a hard and long process, and it takes time and patience. We are here to provide you with exceptional care, to help you to choose the right fit for your smile and life.