Dentures in Ottawa
Denture Exam | Denture Maintenance
Complete Denture Care and Maintenance
A complete denture, commonly known as a denture, is an appliance designed to replace natural teeth and provide support for the cheeks and lips. Most dentures are made from acrylic and can be fabricated in two primary ways:
- Conventional Dentures: These are created after all teeth have been extracted and the gums have healed.
- Immediate Dentures: These are made and inserted right after tooth extraction, allowing the tissues to heal under the denture.
Upper dentures feature a flesh-colored acrylic base that covers the palate (roof of the mouth), while lower dentures are shaped like a horseshoe to accommodate the tongue. The teeth in dentures can be made from plastic, porcelain, or a combination of both. Dentures can also be designed to fit over endodontically treated teeth, and complete dentures may be attached to dental implants for a more secure fit.
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Upper and Lower Dentures
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Dentures
Importance of Regular Care
Proper care for your dentures is essential to maintain both their appearance and function. Here are some important tips:
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Daily Cleaning: Brush your dentures daily, both inside and outside, using a soft, large nylon denture toothbrush with round-ended bristles. Avoid using regular toothpaste, as it can be too abrasive and scratch the surface of the dentures. Instead, opt for denture creams and rinse with cold water.
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Temperature Sensitivity: Never place your dentures in hot water, as this can cause them to warp.
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Regular Inspections: Check your dentures regularly for worn teeth. Worn or stained dentures not only impact functionality but can also make you appear older.
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Medication Review: Discuss all current medications with Dr. Nicolas and Jacques, as some may affect your oral health.
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Routine Dental Visits: Schedule regular appointments with your dental professional for check-ups and adjustments.
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Address Loose Dentures: If your dentures become loose, have them checked immediately, as they can cause friction and pressure on the gums and bone.
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Storage: When not in use, keep your dentures covered with water or a denture-cleaning solution to prevent them from drying out.
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Insurance Coverage: Most dental insurance policies cover new dentures every five years, so check your plan for details.
Denture Exams & Maintenance
Your dentures require regular care and attention to maintain optimal performance. The fit of your dentures significantly affects your oral tissues and overall health. Here’s how to ensure your dentures are functioning properly:
Annual Examination
An annual exam by your dental professional is essential for checking the fit and functionality of your dentures. This helps prevent complications and ensures that your dentures are performing well.
Medical and Dental History Update
Regularly updating your medical and dental history is crucial. Significant changes in your health can affect how your dentures fit, so keep your dental provider informed.
Oral Health Monitoring
Annual examinations can help detect oral abnormalities, including cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions. Early detection is key to effective treatment.
Tissue and Bone Assessment
Ill-fitting dentures can lead to changes in bone and tissue health. Orleans Dental Arts can assess these conditions and recommend necessary adjustments to ensure your oral health is maintained.
Comfort, Fit, and Integrity
Issues such as bite problems, speech difficulties, and tissue irritations can arise from poorly fitting dentures. It’s vital to address these issues promptly to avoid more complicated situations in the future. Dr. Nicolas can check for cracks, chips, and loose teeth and suggest appropriate solutions.
Denture Exam Overview
During your denture exam, the following will typically be assessed:
- Update of medical and dental history
- Examination of your oral cavity
- Tissue and bone assessment
- Stability and bite examination
- Cleaning and polishing of your denture
- Oral hygiene review
Regular check-ups and proper maintenance are essential to ensure your dentures remain comfortable and effective. Always consult with Orleans Dental Arts for personalized care and advice.
Denture Maintenance
Denture Rebase & Repairs
Rebase
Rebasing may be recommended when the teeth of your denture are still in good condition and have not worn out in comparison to the denture base material. Rebasing is the process of replacing the entire acrylic denture base providing a stable denture without replacing the denture teeth. A rebase for a denture maybe required if your denture is old or is cracked. A rebase is very similar to relining, the difference being that, a rebase replaces all the pink-acrylic denture base material instead of just the lining.
Reasons for the rebase procedure may include:
- Broken or damaged denture
- Weakened or old pink denture base
- Replacement of an immediate denture
Denture Repairs
A variety of circumstance can lead to a damaged denture and should be addressed immediately. Repairs restore a fractured or damaged denture close to its original condition. Orleans Dental Arts can often provide denture repair procedures on a same day basis. Nicolas or Nicolas will advise you of the condition of your denture and will recommend steps needed in preventing further breakage.
- Weakened or old pink denture base
- Replacement of an immediate denture
Denture Relines
New dentures will typically fit your mouth very securely as it has been designed specifically for your gums. As time goes on, your gum tissues will change and the fit of the denture will become more loose and thus more prone to movement inside your mouth. Having the denture professionally relined every one to two years will keep the denture secure and functional.
Hard Denture Reline
All full dentures should have a hard reline every two years. Orleans Dental Arts removes a layer of plastic from the dentures interior surface, and then fills the denture with a putty-like material which conforms to the contours of your mouth creating an accurate impression. The denture is sent to the lab where it is adjusted to the new shape of your gum tissue. This results in maximum contact between the denture and your mouth.
Soft Denture Reline
Some patients are unable to wear ordinary dentures because of tender gums or sore spots. Orleans Dental Arts may recommend relining the denture with a material that stays pliable for one to two years before needing replacement. This material is much less likely to give the patient sore spots than the standard hard reline acrylic. Patients experiencing these problems may also consider a more permanent solution of implant retained dentures.
Temporary Relines
If dentures have not been serviced in quite some time, a patient’s gums may be red, swollen, or misshapen. This creates problems in taking impressions for a new hard or soft reline and may lead to a denture that would perpetuate the problem.
A temporary, or palliative (medicated) reline material may be recommended to allow the inflammation to subside. This reline makes the denture fit much more tightly, and is usually soft and pliable. After a few weeks, the gums return to a more normal state. The patient is then ready for his new denture or hard reline.
Soft Denture Liners
A soft liner is a layer of soft, pliable material that is fitted between the surface of a denture and your oral tissues. It absorbs shock between the hard base of your denture and your gums. Soft liners can be used when creating new dentures or retrofitted into existing dentures.
Permanent soft liners provide comfort and relief for individuals with receded and flattened gum tissues that don’t respond well to the stress of dentures. They may also be a suitable solution for patients with chronically sore gum tissues or gums with sharp bony areas.
Advantages of Soft Liners
- More comfortable to use
- Virtually all patients respond well to soft liner materials
- Easier chewing
- A proven technology with over 20 years of innovation
Soft liners require regular follow-up visits with Nicolas or Nicolas to examine the fit of dentures and general oral health.