Dentures made in-house by our dental technician.
Do you have a number of missing teeth or several decayed or rotting teeth that need to be extracted and replaced? Do you struggle to eat certain foods or avoid smiling and talking to people because you are ashamed or embarrassed by your smile?
If so, a cosmetic denture could offer you a solution, helping to restore look and function to your teeth whilst enabling you to eat, talk and smile with a renewed confidence.
In the past, many patients have sought to avoid dentures because they are often considered unattractive or uncomfortable. However, the dentures available at Pennine Dental Care are some of the most well-fitted and comfortable products available on the market today.
Designed and made with extreme precision, our dentures will fit so well they’ll look just as natural and realistic as your original teeth. It is often impossible for anyone to even tell you are wearing one.
Not only will your ability to eat and smile return, but a denture will also help to restore vital structure to your face, particularly in the cheeks and lips which can lack support when several teeth are lost. This could result in a dramatically healthier and more youthful appearance.
Do I need a full or partial denture?
Full dentures are used when every single tooth is missing or needs to be replaced. They can be fitted in the top and bottom of the mouth. A full denture incorporates a plastic gum coloured arch with a set of crowns attached.
Partial dentures are used to replace several missing teeth, which may be scattered around your mouth. An acrylic or metal plate will have crowns attached where required. The plate will be held in place with hooks anchoring to your existing teeth. If in the future, other teeth need to be extracted it is relatively easy and inexpensive to add extra crowns to an existing partial denture.
Both full and partial dentures are easily removed for cleaning.
For anyone worried about loose or uncomfortable fitting dentures, today it is possible to hold them securely in place with dental implants. Find out more on our implants page.
In fact, just two implants fitted to the lower gum really could work wonders in helping to retain a complete lower denture with the optimum in comfort, stability and strength.
What is a denture made of?
Dentures can be produced from a variety of materials according to your specific dental needs and your own personal preference.
We can provide dentures which comprise of cast cobalt chrome on a gum coloured acrylic base. Cast cobalt chrome is highly stable and retentive. The slim yet incredibly strong framework sits on your teeth as well as being directly attached to them. This type of denture has the potential to last for many years as it does not require relining as a result of ongoing gum shrinkage. Many other types of partial denture will require regular relining to accommodate changes in the gum.
Our Valplast flexible dentures offer the ultimate in comfort, yet they are also extremely strong. This acrylic denture is made from a gum coloured pink material. With no metal parts and well-hidden clasps to hold it in place, you are sure to be delighted with the highly natural feel and finish.
Fitting a denture after tooth extraction
It is normally possible to fit a removable denture immediately following the extraction of one or more teeth, although occasionally a recovery period is required. This really will depend on your individual case.
If a denture is fitted immediately it will be considered ‘temporary’ as it is likely to require re-adjustment or replacement several months down the line. This is due to gum shrinkage which is a very common where teeth have been extracted.
How will my dentures be made?
The length of treatment will differ on a case-by-case basis. The manufacture of a set of dentures is an intricate process which will take time. Several appointments will be necessary so that we can measure and fit your dentures with care. A number of factors will need to be considered in its design including tooth size, shape, height and the location of your bite.
We work with a number of highly skilled dental technicians to ensure your denture will fit perfectly and feel great.
Firstly, a wax model will be produced using impressions of your mouth. This model will be checked for fit, bite and comfort and adjusted as necessary. It will then be used to produce your final set of dentures.
Around 1-2 weeks later your final denture will be ready for fitting.
You will need to return for a check-up around a week later so that we can make sure you are happy.
Many people worry that their new dentures will look too ‘false’. If you have an idea of how you’d like them to look please talk to us early on in the process. We can keep certain features from your original teeth, perhaps add fillings to the crowns or even make some of the teeth slightly wonky if you’d like us to.
What to expect when your dentures are first fitted:
It can take a little time to get used to a new set of dentures- particularly if they are full. However, the change will be significant and you are sure to be very pleased with your new look.
You may find it a little difficult to eat at first. If you are struggling, stick with softer foods, gradually introducing harder items over time. You may also notice a slight increase in salivary flow which should improve after a couple of weeks.
You may find that certain words become hard to pronounce, this is a common occurrence thanks to the new object in your mouth. Much like a dental brace this will improve quickly. As you repeat certain words you will soon find that your speech improves.
If you notice any sore sports then it will be necessary for us to check your denture. Sometimes they can exert pressure on certain parts of the gum. A little re-adjustment will be necessary to help with this.
Looking after your dentures:
- Visit us for regular dental check-ups (even if you have a full denture).
- Always remove your denture at night (unless otherwise directed) so that your gums can rest.
- Clean your dentures with a special denture brush and denture cream.