Dentures/Partial Dentures
What are Dentures?
Custom made replacements for missing teeth, dentures can be taken out and put back into your mouth. While dentures never feel entirely like natural teeth and do require time to grow accustomed to, today’s technology crafts dentures that appear natural and provide more comfortable.
A highly skilled cosmetic dentist in Westchester County, Dr. Polevoy works with you to ensure maximum comfort, ease of use, and aesthetic appearance with your dentures. Based on your needs, he determines whether you require full or partial dentures. Visit our Harrison dentist facility to see if you are a candidate for dentures.
Temporary Side Effects of Dentures:
- Awkward and uncomfortable for a few weeks to a few months
- It takes some time and practice to get used to eating and speaking with dentures
- A bulky or loose feeling occurs while the muscles of your cheeks and tongue develop the strength to hold the dentures in place
- Excessive saliva flow
- Tongue constriction
- Minor irritation or soreness
Tips to Properly Care for Your Dentures
- Carefully handle dentures as they are fragile and can break if dropped
- Do not let your dentures dry. Keep them in a denture cleansing solution or cool water while they are out of your mouth
- Brush your dentures daily to remove food and plaque
- Brush your gums, tongue, and palate with a soft-bristled brush before inserting your dentures
- See Dr. Polevoy immediately if your dentures break, chip, crack, or become loose
Conventional Full Denture
A conventional full denture is placed in your mouth after any 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 irritation, see your dentist.
How Long do Dentures Last?
Over a period of time, your denture will need to be relined, remade, or rebased due to normal wear. Rebasing means making a new base while keeping the existing denture teeth. 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.
Here are 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.
From standard dental procedures to oral cancer screenings, Dr. Polevoy and his staff offer a vast range services in their Harrison dentist office, including:
