Dentures replace missing teeth with a removable appliance. At Dentistry For You in Broken Arrow we make full dentures for a whole arch, partial dentures where some natural teeth remain, and implant-retained dentures for patients who want something that does not move.
Full Dentures
A full denture replaces all the teeth in an upper or lower jaw. An upper denture covers the palate and is held largely by suction, which works well. A lower denture cannot use suction in the same way because the tongue and the muscles of the floor of the mouth are constantly moving against it, and it rests on a much smaller ridge. That is why lower dentures are the ones people complain about.
Making a full denture takes several appointments. Impressions are taken, then a more detailed working impression. We record how your jaws meet and at what height, because a denture sets the whole vertical dimension of your face. Then a wax try-in lets you see the teeth in place and say what you think while changes are still easy. The finished denture is fitted and adjusted.
Partial Dentures
A partial denture fills the gaps where some natural teeth remain, using those teeth for support and stability. It is the least expensive way to replace several teeth and needs no preparation of the remaining ones.
The trade-off compared with a bridge or implants is that it is removable and takes more getting used to. Because clasps rest against natural teeth, keeping those teeth clean matters more than ever.
Immediate Dentures
An immediate denture is made in advance and fitted on the same day the remaining teeth are removed, so you are never without teeth.
The thing to understand is that the gum and bone change shape substantially while the extraction sites heal over the following months. An immediate denture will therefore need relining, and sometimes replacing, once the tissues have settled. That is expected, not a failure.
Getting Used to Them
The first few weeks are an adjustment. Speech feels odd and certain sounds need practice, which is why reading aloud at home helps. Eating takes retraining: start with soft food cut small, and chew on both sides at once rather than one, because a denture pivots if you load one side.
Sore spots are normal early on, and they are fixable in minutes. Do not try to adjust a denture yourself, and do not simply stop wearing it. Come in, and wear it for a few hours before the appointment so we can see where it is actually rubbing.
Relines and Repairs
Once teeth are gone the ridge of bone underneath gradually shrinks, so the shape a denture was made to fit slowly changes. This is why a denture that was fine three years ago now rocks.
A reline resurfaces the fitting side to the current shape of the ridge and is far less involved than a new denture. Most people need one every few years.
If a denture cracks or a tooth comes off it, bring it in rather than gluing it. Household adhesives are not safe in the mouth and make a proper repair harder.
Implant-Retained Dentures
If a lower denture will not stay where it should, implants are the answer that actually solves it. A small number of posts in the jaw give the denture something to clip onto, so it stays put while you eat and talk, and you can still take it out to clean.
Call (918) 355-1391 or use the contact form.
Questions About Dentures
How long does it take to get used to dentures?
A few weeks for most people, and longer for a first full denture. Speech and eating both feel strange at first. Practise reading aloud, and start with soft food cut small, chewing on both sides at once. Several small adjustments in the first month are normal rather than a sign something is wrong.
Why has my denture become loose?
The ridge of bone underneath shrinks gradually once teeth are gone, so a denture that fitted well a few years ago no longer matches the shape it sits on. The fix is a reline, which resurfaces the fitting side to the current shape, rather than a whole new denture.
Should I use denture adhesive?
A small amount can help confidence, particularly early on. What adhesive should not be doing is holding up a denture that no longer fits. If you are relying on more and more of it, the denture needs relining or remaking.
Can implants make my denture more stable?
Yes, and it is most worthwhile on a lower denture, which has far less suction available than an upper. A small number of implants lets the denture clip into place so it does not lift while you eat or talk.
Book a Denture Consultation
New dentures, adjustments and relines. Bring the ones you have so we can see what is not working.