10 Common Questions About Dentures: Your Friendly Guide to False Teeth
You must have a lot of questions before you get dentures. We collected your 10 most common and pressing questions about false teeth and answered them in this friendly guide. Find out what dentures are for, how they work, and what you need to do ensure they last a long time.
1. What Are Dentures?
Essentially, dentures are a type of replacement for natural teeth. Unlike implants, dentures aren’t permanently attached to your natural teeth or jawbone.
That’s because dentures replace several teeth at the same time. If you’re missing more than one tooth, getting dentures may be the best option for you.
There are two types of dentures: full and partial.
Full Dentures
Because full dentures replace all of your teeth, sometimes the dentist may have to remove your last remaining teeth. Additionally, full dentures may require anchors to stay attached. Once you begin to wear dentures regularly they will be completely indistinguishable from natural teeth.
Partial dentures
Partial dentures replace several teeth as well, but only a couple of connected ones (not the whole mouth). There are also upper and lower dentures, depending on what part of your mouth needs false teeth.
Now that you know what dentures are, you can dive into all the crucial information you need to know before you get them.
2. Why Do I Need Dentures?
You need dentures if you’re missing multiple teeth. They’re the easiest option to replace them and restore your smile.
While aging does contribute to deteriorating teeth, improper dental hygiene and bad habits can easily lead to tooth decay and tooth loss. When multiple teeth are affected, dentures are your best option.
Dentures aren’t just aesthetic.
They’re crucial for eating and speaking too. Plus, you’ll need to get rid of infected and decayed teeth before you get your dentures fitted.
As a result, dentures significantly improve your quality of life.
3. Do I Need Partial or Complete Dentures?
Whether you need partial or complete dentures depends on how many healthy teeth you have. If you’re only missing 3-4 teeth, and the rest of your mouth is healthy, partial dentures are enough. However, if you’re missing the whole or most of the row, you need a complete denture.
Sometimes, the dentist may recommend pulling a few teeth to make room for a complete denture. Still, this only happens if the benefits for a complete denture outweigh the ones of a partial one.
It’s important to note that dentists never remove healthy teeth unless it’s absolutely necessary.
4. How Are Dentures Made?
Dentures are custom-made for you. They’re made to fit your mouth and the shape and color of your natural teeth.
First, the dentist will make a mold of your mouth and gums. They take thorough measurements to create the perfect set of dentures for you. That’s crucial to creating well-fitting dentures that last a long time.
However, they’ll likely prescribe a set of temporary dentures until the custom-fit dentures are made..
The exact method of how your dentures are made depends on your specific requirements.
Usually, dentures are made of various materials, including acrylic, nylon, porcelain, resin, and metal.
5. How Do Dentures Stay Firm in the Mouth?
It is a common misconception that all dentures need adhesive to stay in place. A good set of dentures shouldn’t need any glue or adhesive to stay in place.
Actually, if your dentures need extra support from glue, you need new dentures.
Well-made dentures stay in your mouth thanks to natural suction to your gums. In certain cases, the dentist may also recommend and install an anchor to help your dentures stay in place.
However, if your dentures become loose, you need to contact a dentist.
Gum recession is a common sign of aging and bad dental hygiene, and it can significantly alter how firmly your dentures stay in your mouth.
6. Will It Be Difficult to Eat with New Dentures?
For the first few weeks, eating with new dentures will feel a little strange. You may need to take it slowly to get used to your new teeth.
But, this strangeness will subside quickly as you get used to it. For the most part, you can eat the same things with dentures as you would with natural teeth.
The only exceptions are very hard and very sticky foods.
For example, you may have to sacrifice things like hard toffees and candies. Since they’re bad for your dental health anyway, it’s best to avoid them.
People with dentures also often avoid chewing gum. If you need to refresh your breath quickly, mouthwash or breath mints can do the trick just as effectively as gum.
7. How Long Can I Wear Dentures For?
Generally, people wear dentures only during the daytime. At night, you remove them to soak in a cleaning solution. This doesn’t just disinfect them and keep them free of bacteria. It also lets your mouth rest.
However, your dentist may recommend that you leave your dentures in overnight at first. This will help you and them determine if your dentures need adjustment.
If parts of your mouth with dentures are tender in the morning after wearing them overnight, you’ll need to revisit your dentist for an adjustment.
8. How to Care for Dentures?
The good news is that taking care of dentures is surprisingly easy. All you need to do is take them out overnight and place them in a glass filled with cleaning solution or water.
Wearing dentures doesn’t mean you don’t need to have a regular dental hygiene routine.
You still need to brush your dentures, just as you would normal teeth. Usually, this can be done before you put them back in your mouth in the morning.
Be careful with your dentures when they’re out of your mouth. If you drop them, they can crack or shatter. In fact, it’s best to wash them over a bowl or towel. This minimizes the risk that they break.
You should also have an oral hygiene routine for the rest of your mouth. To keep your gum tissue and tongue healthy, use a soft brush to clean the insides of your mouth twice a day. This will help to improve circulation and eliminate bacteria.
After a while, dentures can develop stains, just like normal teeth would. In this case, you can take them to the dentist to give them a deep clean and restore their color.
If you notice any changes in the fit or the appearance of your dentures, turn to your dentist for advice. They can re-adjust them or advise on other options.
9. How Long Will My Dentures Last?
Dentures are built to last. As they’re made out of artificial materials and are not usually built on top of existing enamel, they don’t deteriorate with time. In fact, if you take good care of them, they can last for many years.
However, your mouth changes over time. Your gums can recede and change the fit of your dentures. If that happens, you’ll need new dentures. And if they break or shatter, you need to replace them.
If you attend regular check-ups, your dentist can spot the need for a replacement very early on (usually before any kind of tenderness or irritation occurs). Aside from this, high-quality dentures are very sturdy and long-lasting.
Listen carefully to all of the advice that your dental specialist gives you and care for your dentures in the right way. If you do this, they will never cause you problems and will allow you to get on with your life.
10. How Much Do Dentures Cost?
The cost of your dentures depends on what material it's made of and how many false teeth you need. The exact cost will depend on your dental practice, and how many appointments you need for fitting and adjustments.
However, as a guide, the average cost of dentures can range from $1,300-3,200 without insurance. And the more adjustments and extractions you need, the higher the cost will be.
Luckily, a dental discount program like Carefree Dental can lower the cost of your dentures at participating dentists.
Save on the Cost of Your Dentures
Dentures are an investment in a higher quality of life. If they’re well-made, they’ll last you for many years. They’ll make eating feel painless and natural, and not least of all, they’ll restore the beauty of your smile.
But, they shouldn’t cost you a fortune.
If you think you may need dentures, but you don’t want to spend too much, you need to look into the best deal in dental: Carefree Dental.
With the Carefree Dental Card, you can save 15-50%* off your dental bill at participating providers, per visit in most instances. For only $15.95/month for individuals and $19.95/month for families, this can mean a great discount on your dentures and other major dental expenses.
Get dentures at a lower cost by signing up for Carefree Dental.
The Carefree Dental blog is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The text and pictures within the content are intended for information purposes only. Readers should consult with a licensed dentist or healthcare professional before seeking treatment.
The Carefree Dental Card is not insurance and Carefree Dental is not an insurance provider.
