Dr. Darren Goring D.D.S.
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Dentures

Missing teeth can have a debilitating effect on your health and quality of life. Whether you are missing some or all of your teeth, the range of denture options offered at Salt Lake Prosthodontics can help. If you are interested in learning more about how you could benefit from custom-crafted dentures at our practice, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Goring so that you can explore which option best suits your unique needs.

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Two types of dentures are available — complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.

Complete Dentures

Complete dentures can be either “conventional” or “immediate.” Conventional dentures are made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has begun to heal. Generally a conventional denture is ready for placement in the mouth about eight to 12 weeks after the teeth have been removed, depending on how quickly the bone and gums heal.

Unlike conventional dentures, immediate dentures are made in advance and can be positioned as soon as the teeth are removed. As a result, the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. When the teeth are removed, the bone and gums shrink and leave a space between the base of the denture and the new position of the gums. Therefore immediate dentures require more adjustments and relines to fit properly during the healing process and generally should only be considered a temporary solution until conventional dentures can be made.

Are There Alternatives to Dentures?

Yes, dental implants can be used to support cemented bridges, eliminating the need for a denture. The cost is usually greater, but the implants and bridges more closely resemble the feel of real teeth. Dental implants are becoming the alternative to dentures but not everyone is a candidate for implants. Dr. Goring will discuss which options are possible and the pros and cons of each.

What’s the Process for Having Dentures Made?

The denture fabrication process takes a few weeks and several appointments when done without cutting corners. Once you and Dr. Goring determine which type of prosthesis is best for you, the general steps after the initial exam are to:

  1. Make an initial impression. This initial impression is used to make a custom impression tray that will be used for making a final impression.
  2. The final impression is made using the custom tray. This is a very detailed and accurate impression of the jaws allowing for the best fit possible. Models are created from the final impressions and a record base with wax rims are made.
  3. At the records appointment the wax rims are sculpted to create the correct aesthetics and phonetics. This sculpted rim is used as a guide for the position of the teeth.
  4. A wax trial denture is then made based off of the sculpted wax rims that you will try in. It is a near exact replica of what the final denture will be look like but the teeth can be moved around as they are only set in wax. Once you and Dr. Goring are satisfied with the look and bite the wax trial denture will be processed into acrylic.
  5. The completed denture is then fitted and adjusted to seat evenly over your gums. The bite is checked again and adjusted as needed.
  6. Adjustments will be made as necessary

What Do New Dentures Feel Like?

New dentures often may feel a little odd or loose at first until the muscles of the cheeks and tongue learn to keep them in place and you get comfortable inserting and removing them. Upper dentures are usually easier to manage as it is typically easier to get a suction seal. The lower jaw is shaped differently and the tongue and cheek muscles have more of a tendency to dislodge the denture. Also, it is not unusual for minor irritation or soreness to occur and for saliva flow to increase when you first start wearing dentures, but these problems will diminish as the mouth adjusts. Any sore spots that do not go away within a day or two need to be brought to Dr. Goring’s attention and will likely necessitate adjustment of the denture. You should not try and tough it out.

Will Eating With New Dentures Be Difficult?

Eating with new dentures will take a little practice and may be uncomfortable for some wearers for a few weeks. To get used to the new denture, start with soft foods cut into small pieces. Chew slowly using both sides of your mouth. As you get used to new dentures, add other foods until you return to a normal diet. Be cautious with hot or hard foods and sharp-edged bones or shells. And, avoid foods that are extremely sticky or hard. You should also avoid chewing gum while you wear the denture.

Will Dentures Change How I Speak?

After getting dentures, you may have difficulty pronouncing certain words. If so, practice by saying the difficult words out loud. With practice and with time you will become accustomed to speaking properly with dentures.

If dentures dislodge while you’re talking, contact Dr. Goring. Dentures may occasionally slip when you laugh, cough, or smile. Reposition the dentures by gently biting down and swallowing. If any speaking problem persists after a few weeks, contact Dr. Goring and he will work with you to address the issue.

Are Dentures Worn 24 Hours a Day?

Dr. Goring will instruct you as to how long to wear dentures and when to remove them. During the first several days after receiving your denture, you may be asked to wear it all the time, including while you sleep. This is the quickest way to identify the areas on the denture that may need adjustment. Once adjustments are made, you should remove dentures before going to bed. This allows gum tissues to rest and helps prevent fungal infections. The denture can be put back in the mouth in the morning.

How Should I Care for My Dentures?

To help your dentures last as long as possible they need to be properly cared for. This includes cleaning them regularly. Ideally you should remove the dentures after each meal to clean off any food that may have become adhered to the denture or stuck underneath against your gums. The best way to clean your dentures is with a soft toothbrush and liquid hand soap or dish soap. Toothpaste is quite abrasive and over time causes the surface of the denture to be rough which in turn leads to more food adhering to it. At night after the denture has been cleaned as described above, it should be kept in clean, fresh water. Occasionally, about once a week, using a disinfecting tablet such as Polident or Efferdent is helpful in keeping the denture clean but daily use has been shown by some studies to weaken the denture or make it more rough. Never use bleach to clean or soak the dentures in.

How Long do Dentures Last?

Dentures on average last 7-10 years before a new set needs to be made. The main reasons for needing to replace a denture are worn teeth, worn denture base, poor fitting denture, and cracks. Yearly exams and routine maintenance of the dentures will help prolong the life of the denture as well as improve the function of the dentures. You should see Dr. Goring at least once a year to have a checkup. Dr. Goring will make sure the dentures are fitting properly, that there aren’t any cracks needing repair, and that teeth aren’t wearing too quickly. It is common about every 3-4 years to need a reline of the dentures. This is a process where areas of the denture that no longer adapt properly to the gums due to changes in the jaw and gums are filled in with new denture base material to improve the fit. This is a crucial procedure as a poorly fitting denture can actually accelerate bone loss and cause significant harm to the jaw.

Should I Use a Denture Adhesive?

Denture adhesive may be considered under the following circumstances:

  1. To enhance satisfaction with a properly constructed denture. Adhesives enhance retention, stability, bite force, and an individual’s sense of security.
  2. To assist individuals with dry mouth conditions that lessen denture adherence, such as individuals taking certain medications and the elderly.
  3. To provide added stability and security for those who place unusual demands on facial muscles, such as public speakers or musicians.

When Shouldn’t Denture Adhesives Be Considered?

There are situations when denture adhesives should not be used. Those cases include:

  1. When it is used as a “fix” for ill-fitting or poorly constructed dentures. If dentures begin to feel loose, cause discomfort or cause sores to develop, contact Dr. Goring as soon as possible.
  2. When a dentist has not evaluated dentures for a long time. Dentures rest on gum tissue and the jawbone, which shrink and deteriorate, respectively, over time. Therefore, the real problem might be a need for a denture adjustment, reline, or new dentures.
  3. When oral hygiene practices cannot be sustained.
  4. When adhesives have been used for a long time, especially when visits to the dentist are infrequent, and when the frequency and volume of the adhesive use increases. These developments may indicate the need for a denture adjustment or new dentures.
  5. When any known allergy exists to the adhesive’s ingredients.

How Are Denture Adhesives Applied?

Here are some tips to consider when applying denture adhesives:

  • Use the minimum amount necessary to provide the maximum benefit. Apply less than you think you need, and then gradually increase the amount until you feel comfortable.
  • Distribute the adhesive evenly on the tissue bearing surface of the denture.
  • Apply or reapply when necessary to provide the desired effect.
  • Always apply the adhesive to a thoroughly clean denture.
  • Remember adhesives work best with a well-fitting denture.

What Are the Types of Denture Adhesives?

  1. Paste application. Apply this denture adhesive to a dry or preferably wet denture. Avoid placing adhesive close to the denture borders. If the adhesive oozes, use less of the product. For dentures on the upper jaw, apply three short strips of adhesive — or a series of small dots — along the ridge area and one down the center. For dentures on the lower jaw, apply three short strips of adhesive — or a series of small dots — in the center of the ridge area.
  2. Powder application. Sprinkle a thin, uniform layer throughout the tissue-bearing surface of the denture. Shake off excess powder and press the denture into place. Powders may be preferred over pastes because they are easier to clean off the denture and tissue. In addition, they don’t have the same tendency as pastes do to “shim” (keep the denture away from the tissue).

Are Denture Adhesives Safe?

Dental adhesives are safe as long as they are used as directed. If the denture is well-fitting and the adhesive is only used to give added stability, there should be no ill effects. If adhesives are used excessively to fill voids for an ill-fitting denture, they can be harmful to the underlying soft and hard tissues. Occasionally, in these cases, inflammation of the soft tissues can result. In addition, because of its movement on the soft tissue and underlying bone, an ill-fitting denture can cause bone loss.