Dr. Paul Rickard is a Dentist who has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Dentures.
Q. What are dentures?
A. Any prosthetic that replaces a missing tooth or teeth can be called a denture.
Fixed partial dentures replace one tooth or a few teeth and they stay fixed in the mouth by permanently attaching to your natural teeth. Fixed partial dentures are usually called bridges. Removable partial dentures come out of the mouth but grip onto natural teeth when they are in the mouth. Most people just call them partials.
People without any teeth on the upper and/or lower arches can get a full denture which is what most people mean when they use the word denture. A denture is a prosthesis (just like an artificial arm or an artificial leg) that replaces the form and function of the missing teeth and the missing gums and jaws that are associated with the missing teeth.
Q. Why should I use a denture adhesive?
A. Many people don’t need denture adhesive. If your remaining jaw bonet is in good shape and you produce enough saliva you probably won’t need adhesive at all. First you should visit a dentist to make sure your dentures are still fitting properly. A poorly fitting denture can feel loose and cause damage to your gums and jaws. If your denture does not fit well anymore your dentist can reline your existing denture or make you a new denture. Also, if your mouth is constantly dry you can improve the stickiness of your denture by purchasing an artificial saliva from the pharmacist or switch to an alcohol free mouthwash such as Biotene. You should also talk to your dentist about adding implants that can hold your dentures firmly in place.
If your denture fits well and you still want more hold you can use a denture adhesive. The trick to denture adhesive is to avoid using too much of it. Just use three ¼ inch lines of adhesive on each denture. Excessive adhesive is uncomfortable and causes your dentures to become more loose.
Q. What types of cosmetic dentures are possible?
A. A good denture is aesthetically pleasing whenever it replaces the natural form and function of your missing teeth. The teeth can be of many shapes and sizes but the dentist choose the shape and size of tooth that conforms to the shape and size of your face. The teeth can be any shade of white. I work with my patients to choose a shade that conforms with their age and lifestyle and their expectations. My goal is to make an esthetic denture that contribute to a person’s beauty because of its form and function. The word "cosmetic" implies beauty but only at a superficial level that does not contribute to the function of an object.
Q. How long do cosmetic dentures take to make?
A. It takes me five visits to make a denture. A denture can be delivered three weeks after it is started. A preliminary mold is taken of your jaws and gums at the first visit. At the second visit a more detailed impression is taken using a special form fitted impression tray that was made using the molds from the first visit. On the third visit I use wax rims to correctly position the upper jaw to the lower jaw and direct the lab where to position the artificial teeth to support the lips. On the fourth visit, I place the artificial teeth in the patient’ s mouth while they are still set in wax. This allows the patient to see exactly how the teeth will look in the denture. At this point the teeth can still be moved , turned or replaced until the patient is satisfied with the appearance. I place the denture in the fifth visit.
Q. What are the alternatives to cosmetic dentures?
A. You should hold on to your teeth as long as possible when they are healthy. Dentures can be comfortable and beautiful but they are not a substitute for natural teeth. Implants significantly improve the quality of people who have full dentures and they help to preserve the size of the jawbone which will be important later in life.
Q. Are dentures uncomfortable or painful to wear?
A. New dentures can be sore but dentures should not be sore or uncomfortable once they have been adjusted.
Q. What’s the difference between conventional dentures and immediate dentures?
A. An immediate denture is one that is placed right after the natural teeth have been extracted. They prevent people from having to walk around without teeth while waiting for their dentures. They promote healing of the gums after your teeth have been extracted by acting like a custom fitted band aid. The shape of your jaw changes dramatically for an entire year after the teeth have been extracted so immediate dentures become loose and should be relined after one year.
Q. How to contact Dr. Rickard if we have further questions?
A.
Address:
3941 75th Street Suite 102
Aurora, IL 60504
Phone: 630-851-5130
Email: meadowlakedental@comcast.net
Website: http://www.meadowlakedentalcare.com
