Dentures – San Antonio, TX
Enjoy a Complete Smile Again
To say missing teeth can have a detrimental effect on your quality of life is an understatement; in addition to hurting your confidence, an incomplete grin can also make eating and speaking more difficult. With Dr. Pham’s help, you can replace all of your missing teeth at once with a denture that has been designed with your comfort in mind. Please call our office today if you’re interested in getting dentures to fill in the empty space in your smile.
Why Choose Crownridge Dental & Orthodontics for Dentures?
- Completely Customized Dental Prosthesis
- Start-to-Finish Dental Implant Placement
- Modern Office with the Latest Technology
Who is a Good Candidate for Dentures?
You probably already know that dentures can be used to replace an entire row of teeth in the upper or lower jaw. However, they can also be a viable option for people who have multiple gaps in their grins. The only way to know for sure if you’re a good candidate for dentures is to make an appointment with our team so that we can take a look at your mouth. Once we’ve gathered all the information we need, we can help you determine your best option for tooth replacement.
Types of Dentures
Everyone’s smile has different needs, and as such the kind of denture that we recommend will depend on the specifics of your situation. Will you need a partial denture, a full denture, or an implant denture? Here’s a closer look at each of these options:
Partial Dentures
A partial denture is used when only some of the teeth are missing. It is held in place by clasps and can be personalized to fit seamlessly in the gaps in your smile. You can take partial dentures out of your mouth at any time in order to clean them.
Full Dentures
Full dentures can replace all of the teeth in a single row. The base of the denture will stay in place on your gums thanks to natural suction. Like partial dentures, full dentures are removable.
Implant Dentures
An implant denture is a full or partial denture that has been anchored to dental implant posts. There are several advantages to this approach; for example, the implant posts will stop your denture from slipping and prevent bone loss in your jaw. Implant dentures can either be removable or permanently fixed in place.
The Benefits of Dentures
The most obvious benefit of getting dentures is once again having a complete smile. This is naturally a boon for your appearance and can give your self-esteem a boost. Additionally, dentures offer an effective way to restore your bite so that you can chew without discomfort again.
Dentures are very easy to clean and maintain. This is good news because a well-cared-for denture can often last for about 7 to 10 years, making it a reliable option.
Dentures Aftercare
Your new dentures can help to transform the appearance and function of your smile, but even if you have no remaining natural teeth, it is still important that you go to the dentist regularly. Your dentist will continue to monitor any existing teeth and gum tissue, as well as be on the lookout for any abnormalities that could indicate oral cancer. With dentures, it can be very difficult to spot these changes in your mouth without assistance. Early detection from your dentist is key to making a full recovery.
Removeable Dentures
Remove After Eating
After each meal it is important to remove and rinse off your dentures to help prevent the buildup of food debris and plaque. Be sure to avoid using hot water, as the heat can warp the denture material and cause them to stop fitting properly.
Clean Your Restoration
Always be sure to remove your dentures completely to clean them. Using only a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of unscented hand soap, mild dish soap, or denture cleanser, gently brush all surfaces of the denture. Do not use regular toothpaste, as your dentures were not meant to stand up to abrasive products.
If you won’t be wearing the dentures again right away, place them in a container of water or denture soak so they don’t dry out. This can cause irreparable damage like cracks or changes in their fit. Always be sure to rinse your dentures thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth, as these cleaning solutions were not intended to be put in your mouth.
Keep Your Dentures Safe
When cleaning your dentures, be sure to place a towel underneath in case you accidentally drop them. This will reduce the likelihood of them becoming damaged. Furthermore, be sure to keep them out of the reach of small children and pets.
Remove When You Sleep
Be sure to remove your dentures each night when you go to bed. Wearing them restricts the circulation in your gums, which can cause soft-tissue irritation. Sleeping while wearing dentures has also been associated with a higher risk of pneumonia and higher levels of gum and tongue plaque.
Leave your dentures soaking in a denture soaking solution or water overnight, as allowing them to dry out can cause them to lose their shape.
Notice Changes
Be aware of any changes in your mouth so you can address them with your dentist. This includes mouth sores, gum irritation, or signs of infection. Should your dentures become damaged, never attempt to fix them yourself, as you could accidentally damage them further. Instead, call Crownridge Dental and Orthodontics as soon as possible.
If your dentures are shifting, clicking, or showing any other signs of improper fit, let your dentist know, as this could be a sign that they need to be repaired or replaced.
Denture FAQs
Can I Sleep with My Dentures?
Generally speaking, we recommend that you take your dentures out when you go to bed. Wearing your prosthetic during the day puts a lot of pressure on your gums, and if you don’t give them time to rest, you’re likely to see an uptick in the number of sore spots and the amount of irritation that you have to deal with.
Moreover, this is a good opportunity to leave your dentures to soak in a disinfectant solution, ensuring that they’re nice and clean as soon as you wake up. You aren’t going to be using your dentures while you sleep anyway, so why not let your gums have a break?
Is It Hard to Talk with Dentures?
Speaking is mostly muscle memory, so any slight change to the shape and location of your teeth is likely to cause a little bit of a disruption in how you talk. As you can imagine, this is going to be the case when you first get your dentures.
It may take some time to get used to speaking with your dentures in, but practice makes perfect in this regard. Find time to work on speaking slowly, getting used to how it feels to have your prosthetic in as you do so. You might try reading aloud for a while or conversing with someone you trust until talking feels natural again.
Why Do My Dentures Smell?
If you find that your dentures develop an unpleasant smell, the most common reason for this is the development of bacteria on your prosthetic. These bacteria can become entrenched in the small nooks and crannies of your dentures, or even underneath them along the gum line. This is compounded by the fact that dentures tend to stymie the production of saliva, which contributes to the buildup of plaque.
Thankfully, there are plenty of measures you can take if you want to keep your dentures in good condition. After you finish eating with them, you can rinse them off to remove any residual food. You should then brush both your prosthetic and your gums twice a day, just like you used to with your natural teeth. Finally, leave your dentures to soak in a cleaning solution each night to break up any residual bacteria on the prosthetic.
Do Upper Dentures Always Cover the Palate?
People think about the tongue as the core determiner of taste, but there are actually taste buds located all across the mouth. The palate on the roof of your mouth, for example, has a high concentration of them.
Many top dentures cover the roof of the mouth, which can impair your ability to taste. However, if this prospect bothers you, there are some crafted specifically to avoid this issue. Talk to us and we’ll help design a prosthetic that will fit your needs without compromising your ability to enjoy food.