Dentures – Carmel, IN

What Are Dentures Made Of?

Your new dentures are comprised of two main parts: the base of the denture and the teeth. Here’s a closer look at each component:

• Denture Base: The base is the foundational structure that gives your artificial teeth support. It can be made of a variety of materials such as acrylic, nylon, porcelain, resin, or metal. Full dentures are most frequently made with acrylic because it can be tailored to match your natural gum tissue. Partial dentures may use metal clips with an acrylic base, or in some cases nylon may be used instead of acrylic.
• Artificial Teeth: These are often made from porcelain or resin because both have a natural appearance. However, porcelain is generally a more popular option because it both looks and feels like real teeth. It’s also a very durable material. Unfortunately, however, since it can be abrasive to adjacent teeth, it is typically only recommended for full dentures.

The Denture Creation Process

Because each denture is custom made for the patient’s individual mouth, making them requires a multi-step process. Here’s a step by step look at what this typically looks like.

• Step 1: The first step on your denture journey begins at your dentist’s office, where your dentist will take impressions of your upper and lower gums using a thick paste. This is used to create a plaster model that’s essentially a replica of your mouth. The model will also be used to ensure that your final denture is the correct shape and size. Your dentist may also take some measurements of your jaw at this appointment.
• Step 2: Now the cast can be sent to the dental laboratory where your dentures will be made. There, they will create a wax version of your gum line.
• Step 3: Next, the artificial teeth are set in place. A mechanical device called an articulator is used to attach them with wax. The laboratory technician will make minor adjustments by shaping and carving the wax to ensure it looks just like your real gums. This wax base will then be used for your finished dentures.
• Step 4: Now your wax dentures can be sent back to your dentist for a fitting. If they’re approved by you and your dentist, they will be sent back to the dental lab to advance to the next step in their creation.
• Step 5: Once they have returned to the lab, a dental technician will boil your dentures and get rid of any remaining wax portions. They will then be placed in a flask which is a holding device for plaster to be poured to maintain their shape. The entire flask is then placed in hot water to melt the dentures.
• Step 6: Next, holes will be made in the teeth so the material can attach to it. A liquid separator is added to the plaster to stop the acrylic from sticking to it. Then, the lab technician will inject acrylic into the flask to replace the wax.
• Step 7: The plaster is then carefully removed using special lab tools, revealing your new denture. Your acrylic dentures are placed in an ultrasonic bath to remove any remaining plaster.
• Step 8: Any excess acrylic will be cut from the denture at this stage. After trimming it, your denture will be polished to perfection and sent back to your dentist’s office.
• Step 9: Now that your new denture is ready, you can return to the dental office for a fitting. Here, we will make any adjustments necessary to ensure they fit and work properly.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

Though they are custom fit to your individual mouth, it is completely normal for patients to experience some discomfort when they first get dentures. Initially, you may notice some mild soreness or have difficulty speaking and eating. However, with time, your mouth will adjust to your dentures, and they’ll eventually feel very similar to your natural teeth. You can speed up the adjustment process by eating soft foods at first, exercising your facial muscles, and experimenting with denture adhesive.

If the discomfort persists, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Springhetti or Dr. Oberley for help, as further adjustments may need to be made.

Psychological Benefits

Dentures can have a huge impact on the state of your mental health. Missing teeth can often lead to self-consciousness, anxiety, and depression, creating a hesitance to smile or socialize. By restoring your smile, dentures help to rebuild your confidence and improve your self-esteem. This renewed sense of self can positively affect your life in many ways, from personal relationships to professional interactions, making you feel more comfortable overall. The psychological boost provided by dentures is one of the most exciting benefits, helping you lead a more fulfilled life full of happiness.

Clearer Enunciation

Dentures can also greatly improve your ability to speak clearly. Missing teeth can often interfere with your tongue placement and breath control leading to slurred or unclear speech, which can be frustrating and embarrassing. Dentures fill the gaps in your teeth, allowing you to articulate words more precisely and confidently. With these prosthetics, you’ll find it easier to pronounce words correctly and communicate effectively, enhancing your overall ability to engage in conversations and express yourself.

Improves Nutrition

Dentures restore your ability to chew a wide variety of foods, which is important for supporting a healthy body and a strong smile. When teeth are missing, it can be challenging to eat the foods you love, often limiting your choices when it comes to your diet. With dentures, you can enjoy a more diverse and healthier menu, ensuring you get the essential nutrients your body needs. This improvement in nutrition can lead to better overall health.

Preserves Oral Health

If you have some natural teeth remaining, dentures help preserve your oral health by preventing them from shifting out of place. Over time, this can lead to bite problems and even additional tooth loss! Denture prosthetics also provide support for your facial muscles, preventing the sunken appearance that often goes with tooth loss. Additionally, wearing dentures can help distribute the forces of chewing more evenly across your teeth and gums, reducing the risk of damage and wear.

Expands Opportunity

A great smile can significantly enhance your career opportunities! It may sound far-fetched, but research shows that dentures can make a positive difference in job interviews, networking events, and professional settings in multiple ways. A complete set of teeth can improve your overall appearance, making you seem more approachable and confident. This can be particularly beneficial in fields that require frequent interaction with clients, colleagues, and customers, ultimately helping you advance in your career and achieve your professional goals.

Removable Dentures

Remove After Eating

With dentures in place, you can enjoy more wholesome foods to support your oral and overall health. However, leftover food in your mouth attracts harmful bacteria that can form plaque on the surfaces of your restoration, contributing to the development of gum disease.

Thankfully, you can avoid this by removing them from your mouth and rinsing them gently with lukewarm water, as overly hot temperatures can warp the base, causing it to no longer fit correctly.

Clean Your Restoration

You should remove your dentures to gently scrub them twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild dish soap. Remember, standard toothpaste can abrade the surface and should be avoided. Be sure to rinse them off before reinserting them so you don’t put soap or denture-cleaning solution into your mouth.

Keep Your Dentures Safe

Your prosthetics can become quite slippery during cleanings, and could slip from your fingers and fall to the floor. This can cause chips, cracks, or breaks that make it painful or impossible to wear your dentures. It can help to place a soft towel beneath you when you wash them to cushion them if they fall. You should also store them out of the reach of pets or small children who might not handle them carefully.

Remove Dentures When You Sleep

You might feel tempted to sleep with your new teeth still in your mouth, but they rely on a firm suction against your gums to remain in place all day, which reduces circulation. This can cause sores or blisters to develop, making it uncomfortable to wear them.

Removing them at night gives your connective tissues a much-needed reprieve to rest and recover. Be sure to place your dentures in a glass of water or a soaking solution while you sleep to retain their shape and kill up to 99% of unwanted germs.

Notice Changes

Paying attention to your oral health helps you notice areas of concern early enough to get help before they progress. For example, if your gums feel more tender or appear darker than usual, you may be developing gum disease and should contact our team in Carmel to schedule an appointment.

If you’ve noticed chips and cracks in your dentures, don’t try to fix them yourself. Many patients have inadvertently made matters worse using superglue or other household supplies that aren’t intended for oral use. Call us so we can schedule a time to assess the damage and determine the best course of action for your restoration, whether it involves repair or replacement.

All-on-4 Dentures

Unlike complete or partial dentures, which form a suction to your gums or clip to healthy teeth in your mouth to remain put, this treatment involves surgically placing four titanium posts into your jawbone to anchor your dentures. They’re not intended to be removed, so care instructions are slightly different.

You should brush twice every day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. It’s best to avoid products containing baking soda and stain-removing agents, which are ineffective on the surface material. You should also floss, and you can purchase special floss threaders to help reach beneath the base of your restoration. Finally, rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash daily reduces bacteria that contribute to the growth of plaque and tartar.