Dentistry is the known evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the soft and hard tissues of the jaw (mandible), the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent.
An Interview with Dr. Christine Ferrier on Dentures.
Dr. Christine Ferrier is a dentist who has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Dentures.
Q. What are dentures?
A. A denture is a removable artificial replacement for missing natural teeth and surrounding tissues that have shrunken away. There are two types of dentures, Full dentures when all the teeth in the arch are lost, and partial dentures when there are some natural teeth remaining in the arch that can support the artificial replacement teeth.
Q. Why should I use a denture adhesive?
A. Denture adhesives are used to keep dentures in place. This is especially useful if the denture is loose or if the denture wearer has very low ridges and very strong muscle movements around the denture. Often the adhesive just gives more confidence to the denture wearer.
Q. What types of cosmetic dentures are possible?
A. Often dentures can look obviously artificial, but with the many choices available today, dentures can offer a wonderful "cosmetic makeover." There are several choices of shapes and lengths of teeth, shades of acrylic(the color of the gum tissue replacement) and with partial dentures, the clasps can be made of nylon or can be hidden under the gum tissue replacement area and fit over crowns that are placed on the remaining teeth. Cosmetic Dentures are made to have a natural appearance.
Q. How long do cosmetic dentures take to make?
A. Cosmetic dentures usually require a minimum of 4 appointments depending on the complexity of the situation. A more complex case may require 8 or more appointments. Of course one should not be in a hurry since it is better to take more steps and get it just right!
Q. What are the alternatives to cosmetic dentures?
A. If someone needs a full denture there is no alternative. However, that full denture could be made more stable without adhesive by adding implants to support that denture. The denture then rests on the implants which hold it securely in place, no adhesive needed. The implants are " artificial roots" which are surgically placed into the bone. The implants fuse with the bone and then some special "dome" attachments are placed over them which project through the gum. The denture has a special clip that houses the dome and that is how it is held in place.
If someone needs a partial denture, in some cases they can have implants to replace the missing teeth instead of a partial denture. Sometimes the missing teeth could be replaced by a permanently cemented bridge ,which is like having the replacement teeth attached to crowns which cover the remaining teeth on either side of the space left by the lost natural teeth. The decision to have a bridge or implants would depend on the health of the bone to support an implant,the health of the remaining teeth beside the space, and the patients willingness to make such a commitment.
Q. Are dentures uncomfortable or painful to wear?
A. When dentures are first placed there may be a few sore spots that need adjusting. There is short period of adjustment but most people get accustomed to their dentures and live comfortably with them. There is a very small group of people who never get used to their dentures. I guess they are the ones who only put them in on special occasions or when they are going to church.
Q. What’s the difference between conventional dentures and immediate dentures?
A. Conventional dentures are made when a patient has already been without teeth. e.g. To replace an existing denture. Immediate dentures are made before the patients teeth have been removed. They are made on a model which is a "guesstimate" of what the patients mouth will look like when the teeth are removed. Because of this they usually don’t fit very well and require several adjustments . Also the patients bone shrinks considerably after the extractions so these dentures have to be considered temporary and a new conventional denture made after the shrinkage is over.
Q. How to contact Dr. Ferrier if we have further questions?
A. If you would like to reach me with further questions, the office phone number is 727-786-1077 or the e-mail address is allsmiles1@verizon.net. Be sure to reference the Busymoms publication so we don’t think it’s spam. You can also access the e-mail thru the website allsmiles-dentalcare.com.
