Dentures in Brentwood
What are Dentures
Tooth loss has a lot of potentially painful consequences. The neighbouring teeth could shift out of position, leading to chewing problems, tooth decay, gum disease or a misaligned bite. If you have lost teeth or require extractions, the team at Talbot Dental can help by providing a quality set of full or partial dentures which will help you smile with confidence with your new dentures.
Fitting your dentures
The time it takes to fit dentures varies from person to person. A first visit will usually be for the general examination and diagnosis, and then you’ll be asked to return for later visits to take impressions of your mouth and bite, to fit the denture and then to review how you’re getting on with them.
Adapting to your dentures
Dentures can feel a bit strange to start with, and it might take a few weeks to get used to them. You will probably find that you manage them better the longer you use them for.
Partial dentures: This removable appliance restores one or more missing teeth. When fitted properly, they help your remaining teeth retain their natural position, which preserves your bite and improves your appearance.
Complete dentures: If you are missing all the teeth on one or both arches, we will have a set of natural-looking and attractive dentures custom-made for you. They will eliminate bite problems, maintain the structure of your face, and restore the ability to speak and chew normally.
What types of dentures are available?
- Acrylic dentures are suitable for both partial or complete dentures.
- Valplast dentures – these are suitable only for partial dentures. They are lightweight, flexible dentures that are practically invisible because there are no metal clasps or hooks. They are extremely comfortable to wear.
- Chrome dentures – these are acrylic dentures on a metal base, and are generally suitable as partial dentures. They are exceptionally strong and are comfortable to wear. They can be minimally designed, therefore improving your taste and chewing capabilities. Metal dentures also have hooks and clasps which hold onto your natural teeth making them very stable in your mouth.
Adapting To Dentures
There are a few things you can do to help yourself adapt. When it comes to eating, start with soft foods, and food cut into small pieces. Chew carefully and slowly, and use both sides of your mouth to keep your dentures even. Once you get used to this, gradually add other foods in, until you’re back to your normal diet.
When you first get your dentures fitted, you might find that you produce more saliva. This will usually settle down after a few weeks. You might also find that your speech changes a bit to start with, and you might find it tricky to pronounce certain words. Practice saying these troublesome words, and/or reading out loud can help. This usually improves within a couple of weeks.
You might feel some minor irritation on the surface of your mouth where it’s in contact with the dentures. The dentist can fix this by adjusting the surface of the denture. If it’s very painful, stop using the denture and get in touch with the dentist as soon as possible.
Denture Home Care
- Dentures need to be cleaned every day to prevent plaque, calculus or staining.
- Cleaning dentures is simple. Remove them from your mouth and rinse them under running water. Using your denture brush, gently scrub all the surfaces of your dentures.
- Leave your dentures out overnight to give your mouth a chance to rest. Soak your dentures in warm water to prevent them from drying out and once or twice a week use a denture cleaning tablet, to keep them in good condition.
- Ensure you clean any remaining teeth very thoroughly
- Keep up to date on your regular checkups. Your mouth is gradually changing and your dentures may need to be readjusted, relined or replaced over time.