Category: FAQs on Dentures

You see the ads for denture adhesives and probably think that this is what you will have to be using for the rest of your life if you find yourself needing a denture. The reality can be much different.

Today there is even controversy over the amount of zinc in some of the adhesives that have caused some patients to have unusual reactions. Most of the people that reported this problem were using excessive amounts of adhesive constantly. This should not be necessary and is obviously not desirable.

A good fitting upper denture (I’ll talk about lowers in a bit) will stay in place even without adhesives. This assumes that the amount of bone that the denture is being supported by is adequate in both size and shape; in my experience most are.

Upper dentures are designed to stay in place through suction. That is to say that under good circumstances the upper denture will stay in place without the need for any adhesives. Even then, it has been my experience that some patients still like the added security and firmness that a bit of adhesive provides.

Lower dentures are a whole other ball game. Since the upper jaw is part of the skull, it is fixed and doesn’t move. The lower jaw obviously moves and has the tongue flying around also, tending to push the denture out of place. It is much more common, therefore, for a patient to NEED lower adhesives.

If you are an upper denture wearer and you find that you need to be using adhesives continuously just to keep them in place or to stop them from moving, then you may need a denture feline (a process that makes them fit tight to the jaw), or perhaps a new denture.

If one of these situations applies to you or you want to see what is possible to make your dentures fit better or to replace existing ones, call us for a free consultation: [phone].

Everyone hopes to keep his or her natural teeth in place, healthy, and attractive for life. Dr. Dietrich wants to help every patient accomplish that goal, and advances in modern dentistry are making it increasingly possible. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out that way. The good news is that modern dentistry has also given us a number of wonderful, healthy, and beautiful options for replacing missing teeth. The first step towards the smile of your dreams is visiting Dr. Dietrich of Pleasant Dental.

To extract or not to extract?

Dr. Dietrich will begin with an examination, and then discuss your oral health, and your options. If you still have some or all of your teeth, the first decision is whether to restore or extract them. Decayed or broken teeth can often be saved with dental crowns. Root canal therapy is also necessary if the pulp in the center of a tooth is infected or damaged. The doctor will explain which teeth can and cannot be saved, as well as the costs and long-term prognosis for each option. Once you are armed with the information, you can make your decision free of pressure or lectures.

Replacing what you’ve lost

If you and the doctor decide that extraction is best, or if your teeth are already gone, the next step is choosing the best replacement option. If you choose dentures, they can be completed in just a few steps. Of course, extractions will be first, if they are required. However, Dr. Dietrich can create your denture without taking out the front teeth until the denture is ready to be placed at the same visit. So you can have a smile through the entire process.

The actual denture is designed from an impression. Dr. Dietrich takes great care to ensure precision accuracy, which is the key to a good fit. Unlike dentures of the past, today’s appliances are designed to be beautiful as well as functional. They are made of resin material, with a gum-colored base and white teeth. The resin is tinted to the ideal shade for a bright, yet natural look. Similarly, each individual tooth is designed with a beautiful shape, and proper proportions, as well as subtle variations. The goal is not to create something that looks like a beautiful denture; the goal is to create something that looks like gorgeous, real teeth.

Call [phone] and schedule a consultation to learn more about your best options.

No one wants to go through life without any teeth, but replacing them seems easier said than done. Today’s dental patient has more options than ever, and that can be confusing. If you are looking for a dentist who will give you honest answers and quality dental work at a reasonable price, then you are looking in the right place. Dr. Dietrich founded Pleasant Dental with the goal of making dentistry comfortable, convenient, stress-free, and affordable for residents of Dolton and surrounding communities.

You have probably heard that implants are the best way to replace missing teeth. That is very true, but they also have the highest initial price. The cost is offset by the fact that implants can last a lifetime, whereas other restorations typically need replacing after a number of years. We offer a number of flexible financing options to help you afford the smile of your dreams. However, we know that every budget has a limit, and implants may not fit in yours. If that’s the case, don’t worry. Implants may be the best choice in most cases, but they are certainly not the only excellent choice.

If you are getting a full denture, we can stabilize it with just a few implants, which is a good middle ground. This can give you most of the benefits of full implant treatment, with a much lower price tag. Alternately, if you are looking for the most economical solution, you may prefer a traditional removable denture. Upper dentures tend to fit much better than lowers. Dr. Dietrich will discuss potential retention problems, food restrictions, or other issues before you commit to treatment.

Contrary to many people’s expectations, traditional dentures do not look like fake teeth, at least not when they are designed well. Dr. Dietrich has a background in cosmetic dentistry, and he knows what it takes to create a dazzling smile. Dentures can be just as beautiful as natural teeth, implant supported restorations, porcelain veneers, or any other type of smile.

You deserve to love your smile, and Dr. Dietrich can make that happen, at your convenience, within your budget. If you are ready to repair or replace your teeth, choose the dental office where customer service and common sense have never gone out of style. We are called Pleasant Dental for good reasons! Call [phone] to schedule your appointment today.

Dentures are right up there with root canals when people talk about frustrating dentistry. Now I’ve previously debunked the root canal pain myth (see articles under our root canal tab). What about dentures?

When I write about dentures I’m speaking of FULL dentures. These replace a full arch of teeth, be it upper or lower.

When someone has to lose all of their teeth in an arch there really are only two options: a full denture or implants with bridges. The difference in function and costs are huge.

Implants are surgically placed in the bone and are as close as we can get to a fully functional replacement of teeth. A denture, on the other hand fits fairly snugly over the gums and is removable by the patient. The former can cost the price of a nice car. The latter less than a tenth of that.

When I was in school they told us that a really good set of dentures replaced only 30 percent of the function of a healthy set of teeth. For someone with virtually zero function that’s great. But we wish it was better.

Upper dentures are, in my experience, the most common. Which is good because they are much easier for patients to wear.

Why?

Consider that the upper arch is a part of the skull. It doesn’t move and the denture can be made to cover the entire arch providing stability and ideally good solid suction to keep the denture in place.

The lower arch on the other hand moves and the tongue is in the way and also moves. So the lower arch is a challenge to make and for patients to wear. It often requires the patient to learn to use their tongue, lips and cheek muscles to help keep them in place. Adhesives are more often used on lower dentures too.

So the worst denture you may ever wear? — the lower one.

Whenever possible we try and work it out so our patients get a couple of implants under the lower denture. This allows us to create a denture that actually locks down on the implants and makes a HUGE difference in wearability for the patient.

Call us today for your denture consultation. We’ll do our best, even on the lower, to make them work for you. [phone].

Perhaps your tooth loss was expected, or maybe it was due to trauma or disease and gave you little time to prepare. Regardless of the reason why you lost a tooth, or many teeth, the process of having them replaced can be overwhelming. There are many decisions to be made and once the process is complete and you have a happy smile again, the next, and final, step is keeping it that way.

If you opted for dentures, you may have many questions about how to best care for them. Should you leave them in or take them out at night? Can you eat certain foods? Can you brush them with regular toothpaste? Do you need to brush them at all? Below, Dr. Dean Dietrich of Pleasant Dental in Dolton, IL, offers his suggestions for keeping your dentures beautiful and strong for many years.

First it’s important to note that it may take a few weeks until you become comfortable wearing the dentures. This is normal and will get better with time. Your mouth and the muscles in your mouth simply need to adjust to the dentures. While some discomfort is to be expected, you should not feel pain. If you’re very uncomfortable it’s worth a call to your dentist to have the dentures adjusted.

Once you become comfortable with the dentures you should be able to speak clearly and without worry about the dentures slipping or causing your speech to be different. Further, you should be able to eat most of your favorite foods. However, just like with your original teeth, some foods could cause the dentures to break or could pull the dentures out of place. Caramel or foods that are very chewy could be troublesome, as could hard pretzels or foods that are hard. These items should be eaten with some caution.

Patients should also be careful with the dentures when they’re removed from the mouth. Try placing a soft towel across the bathroom counter or filling the sink with water just in case they slip from your hand. Also, dentures should be kept moist when they’re not in the mouth, so be sure to keep them in water or a denture solution.

Finally, when brushing the dentures be sure to use an appropriate cleaner. Most regular toothpastes are too abrasive for dentures. Ask your dentist what he or she recommends.

Dr. Dean Dietrich of Pleasant Dental in Dolton, IL, has been helping patients achieve and keep beautiful smiles for many years. For more information about dentures or other tooth replacement options, call our office today.

Losing a tooth, or several teeth, can be an overwhelming experience. First is the emotional response of losing what most patients think are permanent teeth. Next is deciding how to replace the missing teeth. Patients of Dr. Dean Dietrich of Pleasant Dental in Dolton, IL, offers his patients several choices including bridge and crown appliances, dental implants, and dentures. Many patients are familiar with the concept of dentures but don’t understand the various options.

Partial Dentures: Patients who only have one, or a few, missing teeth will need a partial denture. This type of denture secures the replacement tooth or teeth to a plastic plate, attached to metal framework which snaps into place. The denture can either be removable or permanent, depending on the patient’s preference.

Complete Dentures: Patients who are missing an entire set of upper or lower teeth will need a complete denture. This type of denture is similar to the partial dentures but includes all of the teeth. Like partial dentures, complete dentures are custom made to give patients a comfortable fit, as well as an attractive and natural looking smile. The complete denture will be held into place with denture adhesive or dental implants. Regardless of which denture option patients choose, they can also choose to either have the dentures placed immediately or have a set that are custom made. Immediate dentures offer patients the benefit of being set quickly, however, dentures that are custom made usually fit better and are more comfortable. Some patients opt to use the immediate dentures while their conventional dentures are being created. The process for conventional dentures can take up to 12 weeks to be complete.

Both partial and complete dentures provide patients with significant oral health benefits. When a tooth is missing, the remaining teeth can shift out of place and create an environment where the teeth become crooked or where pockets that are hard to brush are created. This can lead to tooth decay or gum disease over time. Further, if many teeth are missing it can lead to a loss of support and sagging of the face.

For more information about dentures, call the Pleasant Dental office today.