Dentures and partial dentures are custom-made replacements for missing teeth and can be taken out and put back into your mouth during the day to eat and talk. Dentures can help you eat and speak more comfortably. At Sunnyvale Dental Center, Dr. Son Nguyen can help you determine whether you need full or partial dentures based on your oral health. For example, you may only need a partial denture to replace a few upper teeth.

Conventional full denture

A conventional full denture is placed in your mouth after all remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed. Healing may take several months during which time you are without teeth.

Immediate full denture

An immediate full denture is inserted immediately after the remaining teeth are removed. Your dentist takes measurements and makes models of your jaw during a prior visit. While immediate dentures offer the benefit of never having to be without your teeth, they must be relined several months after being inserted. The reason is that the bone supporting the teeth reshapes as it heals, causing the denture to become loose.

Partial denture

A partial denture rests on a metal framework that attaches to your natural teeth. Sometimes crowns are placed on some of your natural teeth and serve as anchors for the denture. Partial dentures offer a removable alternative to bridges.

How long before I get used to my dentures?

New dentures may feel awkward or uncomfortable for the first few weeks or even months. Eating and speaking with dentures might take a little practice. A bulky or loose feeling is not uncommon while the muscles of your cheeks and tongue learn to hold your dentures in place. Excessive saliva flow, a feeling that the tongue does not have adequate room and minor irritation or soreness are also not unusual. If you experience discomfort, see your dentist.

How long do dentures last?

Over a period of time, your denture will need to be rebased, relined or remade due to normal wear. Rebasing means making an entirely new base while keeping the existing denture teeth. Relining reshapes just the underside (the part that makes contact with your gums) of your existing denture to match your current gum and bone structure.

Also, as you age, your mouth naturally changes. These changes cause your dentures to loosen, making chewing difficult and irritating your gums. At a minimum, you should see your dentist annually for a checkup to evaluate the oral tissues and your denture. If you have remaining teeth as in the case of a partial denture, you should continue to see your dentist every 6 months for an exam and professional cleaning.

Tips for caring for your dentures:

• When handling your dentures, stand over a folded towel or basin of water. Dentures are delicate and may break if dropped.
• Don’t let your dentures dry out. Place them in a denture cleanser soaking solution or in plain water when you’re not wearing them. Never use hot water which can cause them to warp.
• Brushing your dentures daily will remove food deposits and plaque and help prevent them from becoming stained. An ultrasonic cleaner may be used to care for your dentures, but it does not replace a thorough daily brushing.
• Brush your gums, tongue and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures. This stimulates circulation in your tissues and helps remove plaque.
• See your dentist if your dentures break, chip, crack or become loose. Don’t be tempted to adjust them yourself — this can damage them beyond repair.