Dentures FAQ's in Flagstaff AZ

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What are Dentures in Flagstaff AZ?

Dentures and partial dentures (sometimes incorrectly referred to as “bridges”) are devices used to replace missing teeth. When a person is missing all natural teeth, full dentures can be used. Meanwhile, partial dentures help replace missing teeth when some teeth are still present in the mouth. Dentures are custom-made for each patient, and a dentist can help you decide the type of dentures that will suit you the best.

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Full (Complete) Dentures

Sometimes, all remaining teeth of a patient may need to be removed from both the upper and lower arches of the mouth because of certain dental conditions such as gum disease and extensive tooth decay. For such patients, full (complete) dentures provide an efficient and economical way to restore the smile and some of the function of their mouth.

Complete or full dentures consist of a gum-colored pink acrylic base adapted to the gum tissues. Replacement teeth are then fixed into the base, giving the appearance of a complete set of teeth. The teeth are customized and will provide you with a natural look. Modern technology provides various options to make dentures fit well and improve the way you look. For example, modern dentures can be attached more securely through dental implants placed in the jaw. Dentures that are supported by dental implants improve the fit of the denture and increase the ability for a patient to chew.

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Partial Dentures

Smiling and chewing can become problematic when there are gaps in your mouth due to some missing teeth. Partial dentures (sometimes incorrectly called “bridges”) offer an economical way to replace those missing teeth, fill in the voids, improve chewing ability and give back your confidence to smile. Most partial dentures consist of a thin metal or acrylic framework as a base created with small metal clasps that rest on some of the remaining teeth for support. This makes partial dentures a reliable, secure appliance that is easy to insert and remove.

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How Will My Mouth Feel With Dentures

As with anything we use on a regular basis such as spectacles or braces, there will be an adjustment period with dentures where they will feel strange and foreign. You may feel like you have a “full mouth.” There may be a hyperawareness of your lips being pushed forward; you may even feel like your teeth are too big and taking up too much space in your mouth. Your mouth, sensing that there is something inside, will likely mistake this to mean there is food present, and you may salivate more at first.

These feelings will eventually subside after about 14 days as your mouth adjusts to the new dentures. During this initial adjustment period, you may be advised to wear the dentures all the time, only taking them out for cleaning. Once the adjustment period is over, your dentist will consult with you on an appropriate time to remove your dentures for long periods of time to give your gums a rest. Normally this would be at night when it’s time to sleep.

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Will Dentures Affect My Speech

If you’ve ever had the experience of wearing braces, then you know there was also an adjustment period where your speech patterns were affected. So, the answer here is “yes, at first.” The most likely phonetics to be affected at first will be “S,” “Sh,” “Th” and “Ch” sounds. This is because your tongue is now in a slightly different position from what you are used to. There may also be a new whistling or hissing sound that accompanies your speech.

Regular speaking will eventually retrain you to regain proper pronunciation of words. However, if you’d like to speed up this process, then either read out loud to yourself for a few days or be aggressive about a conversation in the initial days after you receive your dentures. You will eventually adjust to the differences, compensate, and speak normally.

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How Will Dentures Affect Eating

In most cases, dentures will ultimately not affect your eating habits, but some retraining will be required. Some people adjust to eating with dentures after a few weeks. Others may take up to six months to feel comfortable. However, any food that requires hard biting down with the front teeth, such as corn on the cob, or an apple may always present some challenges.

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As with any new addition to your daily living habits, practice will eventually lead to comfort and mastery of your new dentures. But if you have any specific questions or concerns about their use and care, you should always refer them to your dentist and get some reliable, professional advice. Contact our team at Mountain West Family Dental today for more information.