Dentures: Everything You Need to Know About Restoring Your Smile

Tooth loss can impact both your appearance and oral function, but dentures offer an effective solution for restoring your smile. At Coastal Dental Care, we understand the importance of a comfortable and functional tooth replacement option, and our custom dentures are designed to fit seamlessly into your lifestyle. Whether you need full or partial dentures, this guide will walk you through the types, benefits, and fitting process to help you make an informed decision about your dental health.

What Are Dentures and How Can They Help?

Dentures are removable prosthetic devices used to replace missing teeth and restore essential functions like chewing and speaking. With advancements in dental technology, modern dentures look more natural and feel more comfortable than ever before. Whether you’ve lost teeth due to decay, injury, or age-related issues, dentures can help you regain both the aesthetics of a full smile and the ability to eat and speak confidently.

Not only do they restore the appearance of your smile, but they also help to restore chewing function and support your facial structure, preventing the sunken look that often comes with tooth loss. Dentures offer a cost-effective, non-invasive way to address extensive tooth loss and provide a solution that can be easily adjusted as your needs change over time.

Types of Dentures: Full vs. Partial

There are two primary types of dentures: full and partial. The right option for you will depend on the number of teeth you’re missing and your overall oral health.

Full: These are recommended for patients missing all teeth in either the upper or lower arch (or both). Held in place by suction or denture adhesive, full-mouth dentures can completely transform your smile and restore normal oral functions.

An immediate insert is when a full denture is inserted immediately after removing the teeth. The advantage is that there is no downtime during which you will have to go without teeth. However, the prosthesis will need to be relined (up to 1-2 times) generally 3 months post-operatively as your mouth heals and tissue and bone shrink away as part of the natural healing process.

Partial: A partial is used when some natural teeth remain and are generally used as an alternative to a dental bridge. It is a removable prosthesis held in place by a metal framework that attaches to the adjacent natural teeth to fill in the gaps left by missing teeth.   Partial dentures help maintain the alignment of your remaining teeth, preventing them from shifting and causing further oral health issues.

Implant-retained dentures: An implant-retained denture is fully secured by dental implants. This means you can enjoy the foods you like with the comfort of knowing they are secured in place and likely won’t cause any issue with movement or dislodgement.  Usually, 2-4 dental implants are necessary to stabilise the denture.

Full and partial dentures are custom-made to fit your mouth, ensuring a natural appearance and comfortable fit. Your dentist will work with you to determine which type of denture best suits your needs based on your oral health and lifestyle.

Benefits of Dentures for Restoring Function and Aesthetics

Dentures offer several advantages, making them a popular option for tooth replacement. Here are some of the key benefits:

• Restored Appearance: Designed to look like your natural teeth, they help you regain confidence in your smile. They also restore facial volume, preventing the sunken appearance caused by missing teeth.
• Improved Function: Restoring vital functions like eating, chewing and speaking that can be compromised by tooth loss. 
• Affordability: Dentures are generally more affordable than other tooth replacement options like dental implants, making them a practical choice for many patients.
• Non-invasive: Unlike surgical options such as implants, they are non-invasive procedures, making them suitable for patients who prefer or need a less complex tooth replacement option. 
• Custom Fit: Being custom-made, they are designed to fit your mouth, ensuring comfort and stability.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Dentures are a versatile option for many patients, but they may not be suitable for everyone. You could be a good candidate for dentures if:

• You have lost multiple teeth due to decay, gum disease, or injury.
• You prefer a non-surgical tooth replacement solution.
• You have healthy gum tissue and sufficient bone structure to support dentures.
• You want a cost-effective way to replace missing teeth.
  

The Fitting Process

Coastal Dental Care takes pride in delivering a smooth and personalised experience for each patient, from the initial consultation to the final fitting. Your dentist will evaluate your oral health and discuss your options. Other restorative treatments, like dental implants or bridges, may be more appropriate in some cases.

What to Expect During the Initial Consultation

Your first step toward getting dentures is a comprehensive consultation with your dentist. During this appointment, your dentist will examine your mouth, assess your dental history, and discuss your goals for treatment. Detailed impressions and measurements of your mouth will be taken to ensure a precise fit.

If you need any preparatory treatments, such as extractions of remaining teeth, your dentist will outline these steps and explain how they will fit into your overall treatment plan. Your dentist will also discuss whether full or partial dentures are the best choice for your situation.

Customised for Comfort

Once impressions/scans have been taken, your custom dentures will be crafted in a dental laboratory. This process is highly precise, considering your bite, tooth shape/size, and jaw alignment. The goal is to create dentures that look natural and feel comfortable for everyday wear.

During your denture fitting, your dentist will ensure that the dentures fit properly, adjusting them as needed. It’s normal to experience a brief adjustment period when you first begin wearing dentures, but with proper fitting and alignment, they will soon feel like a natural part of your routine.

Care and Maintainance

Proper care is essential for keeping your dentures in excellent condition and ensuring they last for many years. Here are a few tips for caring for your dentures:

• Daily cleaning: Just like natural teeth, dentures need to be cleaned daily to remove food particles and prevent plaque build-up. Use a soft-bristled brush and a mild denture cleaner.
• Soak overnight: When you’re not wearing your dentures, they should be soaked in water or a denture cleaning solution to keep them moist and prevent warping.

• Handle with care: Because they are mostly made from acrylic, it is important to handle them carefully to avoid damage.
• Regular dental check-ups: Even with dentures, regular visits to your dentist are essential. Your dentist will check the fit and make any necessary adjustments to ensure they remain comfortable as your mouth changes over time.

In addition to caring for your prosthesis, maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial. Brush your gums, tongue, and any remaining teeth daily to keep your mouth healthy.

Interested in Learning More About Dentures?

If you’re considering dentures as a solution for tooth loss, Coastal Dental Care is here to help. Our experienced team offers expert restorative treatments, including custom dentures designed to meet your specific needs. We’ll guide you through the process from start to finish, ensuring a comfortable and confident smile.

Our practices work closely with the prosthetists at Gold Coast Dentures By Design to help design a custom-fitting solution for you.

To find out more, contact us today to book a consultation and explore your options for restoring your smile. Let Coastal Dental Care help you regain your confidence and enjoy the benefits of a fully functional smile.