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Dentures
 Dentures are removable appliances that
replace missing teeth. Complete dentures
replace all of the teeth and partial
dentures replace some of the teeth in the
upper or lower jaw. Dentures help support
the muscles of the face and lips for a
better appearance as well as improve chewing
function. However you can never achieve the
biting forces of natural teeth, fixed
bridges or implant-supported replacements.
Dentures tend to be bulky and will move some
during chewing and speaking. They require
adjustments, relines and repairs. Making a
denture involves several steps. First an
impression is made of the jaw or remaining
teeth. At the second appointment a bite is
made and then tooth color and shape are
selected. The lab places the teeth in wax to
give an idea of what the teeth’s shape,
color and placement will look like. During
the third appointment, the teeth that had
been set in wax are tried in the mouth in
order to check the appearance and bite. For
the last appointment, the final denture is
placed in the mouth and adjusted. Initially,
there will be an adjustment period ranging
from days to weeks. Speech will be
temporarily affected and chewing will be a
new learning experience. Sore spots usually
occur in the mouth and will require some
adjustment. Alternatives to complete
dentures involve implants and alternatives
to partial dentures involve fixed bridges or
implants.
Are Your Dentures Killing You?
Many of our elderly are suffering
needlessly. They are becoming weak and their
life spans are being shortened due to
malnutrition. Some are declining rapidly
while others slowly and subtly. It is
happening, right here, in our nursing
facilities and in our homes. This
malnutrition comes from an inability to chew
food adequately due to poor fitting
dentures.
The jawbone shrinks from years of wearing
dentures. Now the dentures move and there is
little bone to hold them in place. Meats and
high fiber foods like vegetables and breads
are avoided because the chewing force is not
strong enough, leaving the high fatty foods
for consumption. Studies have shown that
this type of diet can limit one’s life span
and increase the risk of illness.
This tragedy can be prevented by placing
“implants” (titanium cylinders) in the
remaining bone. Attachments are placed in
the denture, which fit over the implants.
This will hold the denture in place where
greater biting forces can be generated. Many
times this can be accomplished in one dental
visit. In other instances it may take a
number of visits over a period of time. My
greatest reward is when patients tell me how
they are now able to eat foods that they
hadn’t been able to eat in years.
Don’t let yourself or your loved ones suffer
from malnutrition due to poor fitting
dentures. Enjoy the foods you once loved and
the better health that modern dental
implants can offer.
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