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A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Two types of dentures are available
- complete dentures or full dentures
- partial dentures
Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain while complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing.
A 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.
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 the denture teeth. Also, as you age, your mouth naturally changes. These changes cause your denture to loosen, making chewing difficult, irritating your gums. At a minimum, you should see your dentist annually for a checkup.
| Here are tips for caring for your dentures: |
- You should remove your dentures before going to bed. This allows gum tissues to rest and allows normal stimulation and cleansing by the tongue and saliva.
- 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 every day is one of the most important things you can do to remove food deposits and plaque, and help prevent them from becoming stained and help your smile keep its attractive appearance.
If you don’t, plaque can form on dentures, making them less bright. Plus, failure to clean your dentures regularly can result in staining and denture odor, as well.
-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. |
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