Tips on Using Dentures
If you wear dentures, you want to make the best possible use of them in chewing and maintaining the shape of your face. When you chew food, for example, chew straight up and down and place equal weight on both sides of your jaw. If you chew sideways or only on one side of your mouth, this can cause your dentures to slip. It can also injure the supporting tissues and result in abnormal wear on the supporting bone
Even though you no longer have natural teeth, you should still be brushing at least once a day. Brush the soft tissues on which your dentures rest so you can stimulate the blood supply and help keep your gums healthy. Particular attention should also be paid to keeping your dentures clean and free of food particles.
If your dentures should become loose after several years wear or they become damaged, don't try to fix them yourself. Let your Dr. Patenaude examine them to see if the dentures need repair or replacement.
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Adjusting to Dentures
If you have new dentures, you may feel self-conscious about them at first. After all, they're new to your mouth, and man-made teeth can never be as perfect as your natural ones. Dr. Patenaude takes a great deal of care in fitting them to your mouth and gums, but they have to feel at home in your mouth before they feel comfortable. As you get used to wearing them, you may need some minor adjustments. If your have difficulty in chewing, Dr. Patenaude will advise you on how to make chewing easier and more efficient. You may not be able to eat certain food until you've mastered the technique. Don't be discouraged--it won't be long. Speaking may seem different at first, but this is such a natural, effortless activity for most people that you'll probably soon be talking a blue streak and think nothing of it. The important thing is to keep in close touch with Dr. Patenaude to make sure your dentures fit properly. He'll also be checking your gum tissues and ridges to make sure they're in good condition, too.
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Beware the PERFECT Look
Maybe you think perfectly aligned teeth are an ideal that everyone should aspire to with the help of their dentist. But it is unusual for teeth to shift out of line somewhat as people get older. Even teeth that seem to be lined up perfectly in childhood or adolescence may not remain that way when a person reaches adulthood. This is a natural consequence of their use in chewing food. Some teeth tend to pivot or jut out slightly, though this may not be very noticeable to the unpracticed eye. Unless there is malocclusion ( improper bite problem), a minor misalignment may not be a serious problem.
For this reason, it is not recommended that anyone past the age of 35 select even, white teeth for partial or full dentures. If they are TOO even or TOO white they will not look natural and will not make a person look younger. Let Dr. Patenaude help you select dentures that appear natural in colour, shape, and size. Good false teeth do not beg to be seen. When they fit well and look natural, hardly anyone will notice the difference.
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Care For Restored Teeth
Restored, as well as natural teeth need good home care to keep them healthy. Talk with Dr. Patenaude about the right dental cleaning aids for your restored teeth, and learn how to use them. The extra effort you make to keep your restored teeth healthy means they're likely to last longer, look good and feel good, too.
The best way to keep your teeth and gums in good shape is to brush and floss them each day, to remove germs that cause decay. Thoroughly clean your crown, fixed bridge or partial denture just as your would your natural teeth, preferably after eating.
Because it's removable, the partial denture takes special care. Once removed, it is possible to the top surface as well as the inside of the denture. Since the partial denture may be made of different materials, ask Dr. Patenaude about the best toothpaste, tooth powder or cleaning agent to use. Soak your dentures in water or a denture cleaner to keep them from distorting.
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Dissapearing Dental Problems
Have you reached the point where you think your dental problems would disappear if all your teeth were yanked and replaced with dentures? That's a dangerous myth in more ways than one. Even if all your teeth were extracted, your dentures would require care and so would the gums and bone that support them. Furthermore, no matter how well dentures may fit and look, they cannot replace the comfort and strength of your natural teeth. Complete denture wearers lose 85% of their chewing ability. You should do whatever you can to save and protect them . Rule number one: Always save your natural teeth..
Perhaps your teeth are not as attractive as you would like them to be, and you find this discouraging. Dr. Patenaude can do many things to make your teeth look more attractive. If they protrude too much, they can be corrected or shortened. Gaps between teeth can be closed. Chipped and broken teeth can be repaired. Discuss these problems with Dr. Patenaude and find out how he can make your mouth and smile attractive.
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Implants for Dentures
There have been efforts for many years to develop a firmer foundation for dentures. Specifically, efforts have been made to implant anchors that would connect replacement teeth to the underlying bone as securely as natural teeth are connected by their roots. Research advances have brought us to the point where implants, in some situations, are the approach of choice.
Although conventional dentures generally do an excellent job of replacing lost teeth, there are certain problems, which may require a different approach. If a denture is placed over a ridge that has become thin and sharp, the concentrated pressure of chewing can cause irritation and pain. There are also situation where, because of accident, disease, surgery, or genetic defect, the jaws are unable to support any conventional denture. If this occurs, implants can work miracles. When indicated, they have proven to be the answer, and have an excellent record of function, comfort, and esthetics.
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Partial Denture Hygiene
People who wear partial dentures should pay particular attention to home hygiene. They have two kinds of teeth to take care of; their natural teeth and their artificial teeth. The natural teeth can be cleaned in the usual way (brushing and flossing); partial dentures can be cleaned with special denture brushes available in drugstores. Their contoured bristles make it possible to clean under the clasps between the teeth and in other recesses of the dentures that are hard to reach with a regular toothbrush. Wearers of partial dentures should remove them and soak them once or twice a week in a solution made for that purpose. These products should be used only according to the manufacturers recommendation, and any special advice which Dr. Patenaude may have included. Since tartar collects as readily, or more readily, on dentures than natural teeth, periodic professional cleaning may also be required.
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Preventing Facial Change
If you have one or more teeth missing in your mouth, maybe you've put off doing something about it. This is a serious mistake if your want to avoid serious dental problems as well as protect the appearance of your face.
Just think for a moment what would happen if all your teeth were missing and you had no dentures or artificial teeth to fill the gaps. The entire lower half of your face would collapse.. Your mouth would pucker and sink in. The distance from the tip of your nose to the tip of your chin would decrease. Deep facial lines would form and the skin would sag, droop, and be deeply marked by wrinkles. Jowls would develop. All of these changes would add years to your true age. It is sometimes called the "Popeye" effect.
Millions of North Americans have lost all their teeth. The chief reason for this is neglect to get dental care. If you have any missing teeth. Make an appointment with Dr. Patenaude so he can fill the gaps and protect your dental health and your appearance.
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Denture Slipping
When your dentures begin to slip a little, that's the time to get some help from Dr. Patenaude. The slippage may be caused by a number of things. One is bone loss, on the average; most people who wear dentures lose about two millimeters of jawbone every year. That may not sound like much, but this can cause problems, such as slippage. It can be irritating, as well as embarrassing, if your biting into a thick, juicy, tender steak and your dentures start to slip.
The loss of supporting bone is a natural result of wearing dentures. But it can be minimized. Dr. Patenaude can show you how to keep your gums healthy. He can check your dentures and adjust them so they fit better and don't put uneven pressure on the jawbone. He may have to reline them to help minimize bone loss and give you a comfortable fit.
Good dentures will not only improve your appearance, they will also help you satisfy your appetite, if they're properly fitted and checked, regularly.
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Denture wearers still need Dentistry
Perhaps the most common misunderstanding about dentures is the impression that when all the teeth are removed, the patient no longer needs dentistry. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Dentures do wear out. Their life span varies with the material used in construction and the load that is applied, As wear occurs, the denture teeth lose their cutting grooves. The height of the denture is reduced causing deterioration of the supporting gum and bone structure. Patients should remember that when these bone structures are reduced there is less foundation left to hold the dentures stable and good function becomes difficult.
Contributing to the problem are the adhesives and relining materials readily available in any drug store. These often enable a patient to continue wearing an ill-fitting appliance rather than see help.
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If Your Appliance Breaks
The jaws are capable of generating tremendous pressures, and sometimes dental restorations or appliances become bent or broken. Removable dentures are especially susceptible. If this happens remember that devices can often be repaired quicker and cheaper than replacing them. Save all broken pieces for Dr. Patenaude and don't attempt a repair yourself. Ordinary glues and bonding agents can ruin the article or can be toxic to the user. Dr. Patenaude knows the proper methods to restore your appliance to comfort and function.
If a wire or clasp is bent so that it irritates your mouth, bend it back only enough to reduce the irritation- or cover it with wax. Although clasps are strong in a fixed position, bending could cause breakage. Just remove the broken appliance and get to Dr. Patenaude. Dont delay! When a bridge, denture or other appliance is removed the remaining teeth lose support and begin to drift. It doesn't take long to get enough movement that the device no longer fits properly.
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Opting for Partial Denture
If you have missing teeth that should be replaced and are concerned about cost, you may opt for the partial denture. This is the most economical way to meet the need to protect your natural teeth as well as your appearance. Missing teeth not only cause the adjacent teeth to drift, making them more vulnerable to decay, but they also create gaps in your mouth that may cause cheeks to sag as well as mouth and cheek wrinkles. This is a gradual process, but the sooner you replace missing teeth the better for your appearance as well as your dental health. When you opt for a partial denture, the fee is usually based on the whole appliance and not the number of teeth on it.
A partial denture is a removable appliance, You can slip it easily in or out of your mouth. It is made with metal clasps that attach to the nearest and strongest natural teeth on either side. It serves a very important need by filling the gaps caused by missing teeth.
Although the removable partial is used primarily to replace back teeth, it can also be used to replace front ones.
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Removable Bridge Option
In having a missing tooth replaced, probably the best option is a fixed bridge. It is stable and long-lasting. Whenever possible it is the replacement of choice. Why then get anything else? Why is a removable bridge sometimes recommended?
A removable bridge is a good, ethical, serviceable restoration. It is well justified when economic circumstances dictate it, and it is actually preferable when the adjacent teeth are too weak to accept a fixed restoration. Also, it is desirable when additional tooth loss is anticipated in the not-too-distant future.
Among other advantages is the fact that removable bridges are quickly made. They also involve reducing the natural teeth only enough for rest supports on the top edge of the clasped teeth. Replacement for a tooth extracted later can be made quickly and reasonably: and they are easily repaired in the event of breakage
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Replacement options
There are a number of ways to replace lost teeth, and many people are confused by the terms. A fixed Bridge is an appliance used to replace one or two teeth (occasionally more). In this method, crowns are placed on one, two or more supporting teeth in the area, and the missing teeth are attached to these crowns. It is not removable.
A partial Denture is a removable bridge which is constructed in many forms, The simplest is the flipper. This is a piece of plastic to which one or two teeth have been attached and which fits closely to the inside of the teeth. The most common partial denture is the cast metal framework that contains clasps and teeth that are attached to the frame with tab acrylic base. A Denture, on the other hand, is used where there are no remaining teeth. Usually it completely covers the palate or the mandible and is constructed from acrylic.
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Sores From Dentures
Even though dentures feel comfortable and there are no apparent problems, denture wearers should still have an annual dental examination. It takes Dr. Patenaude only a few minutes to examine the oral tissue for changes that could indicate developing problems. Denture wearers should be particularly wary of a painless abrasion in the mouth. This is one of the reasons that periodic dental examinations are recommended. A denture wearer should regularly feel around his or her mouth particularly under the tongue, to detect breaks in the tissue or to find painless ulcers.
Ordinary sores caused by the pressure and movement of dentures heal in 10 to 14 days after adjustment of the denture by Dr. Patenaude. If a sore persists despite repeated relief of the denture base, the problem may be more serious. The constant irritation of a denture, particularly under the tongue, could be dangerous. Suspicious areas should be examined by Dr. Patenaude promptly.
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Too Loose, Lautrec
You may recall a joke or two based on the famous French painter's name "Too Loose" (for Toulouse) Lautrec. But it's no joke if you have removable partial dentures that are too loose.
After several years wear, sometimes they become so loose that you can lift them in and out with your tongue. Or you may find yourself unconsciously jiggling your tongue against them to see how loose they are. The looser they get, the more temptation it is to jiggle them. It not only is distracting, it can be harmful. If your partial dentures are loose, they aren't doing the job they were intended to do. They aren't providing the dental support you need to keep your natural teeth in good alignment or to help you in chewing food efficiently.
If too loose is your problem, there are two things you can do about it. You can get a new removable partial denture that will fit properly. Or you can ask Dr. Patenaude to make a fixed denture (not removable) that will fit into your gums just like your natural teeth do. Ask Dr. Patenaude about it.
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Wrinkles Around The Mouth
If you wear full dentures and have noticed lately that you seem to have an excessive amount of wrinkles around your mouth, you should probably have your dentures evaluated by Dr. Patenaude.
Excessive mouth wrinkles are only one sign that your dentures may need to be adjusted or replaced with new ones. Other signs are sunken cheeks and lips, which not only detract from your appearance but can add a lot of years that don't need to be there.
If you've been wearing full dentures for five years or more, they may have settled into your gums, causing your face to collapse or sag and forming unnecessary and unwanted wrinkles. But with a new denture your facial tissues can be plumped out or rebuilt, getting rid of the sags and minimizing the wrinkles.
No matter how long you've been wearing dentures, they should be checked by Dr. Patenaude periodically. He can see if they fit properly, and he can check the health of your gums and bone. The years come soon enough. Don't let your appearance add years that don't belong there.
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Checklist for a Healthy Mouth
The regular examination of your lips, gums, teeth, tongue and mouth lining should be a periodic routine. A self-examination every couple of weeks could be vitally important to your overall health. Here's how to do it:
Look into a mirror in a good light, take out all removable dental devices and look for the following signs of a healthy mouth.
-firm, pink gums will well-defined edges
-smooth, glistening, reddish-pink mouth tissue surfaces
-off-white/yellowish teeth, free from stains, deposits or cavities
-a rough-surfaced tongue of even colour - - occasional small fissures
Since the mouth is an area where the health of the entire body is revealed, it presents us with an ideal indicator of our overall health. Consult Dr. Patenaude if you see anything unusual, have any tooth pain or have extreme sensitivity to hot or cold.
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Living with Dentures
Although well made, dentures are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth, they really do not function or feel exactly the same. Dentures are hard, rigid objects placed on soft, flexible tissues.
When first placed, the teeth supporting a partial denture may be sore and the gums irritated. Several visits may be required before the dentist or denturist is fully satisfied with the fit. Warm salt water mouth washes seem to be most effective in reducing soreness.
Do not use topical anesthetics or other medications unless they are prescribed by Dr. Patenaude. If discomfort persists, remove the denture and make an appointment with your Dr. Patenaude. An hour before the visit, replace the denture so that Dr. Patenaude can see any points of irritation. He has special pressure indicators available to pinpoint high spots. When first inserted, your mouth may react to a denture as it would to any foreign body. It may flood with extra saliva and cause the denture to float. Patience and practice is usually the answer.
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Overdentures
Only a few years ago, it was the usual practice to remove all the teeth before inserting dentures. Now dentists try to save sound individual teeth, no matter how few there are, and to use them as supports for overdentures. Actually, only the roots of the teeth are used, so root canal therapy is performed and the crowns reduced to the gum line. The denture is then fabricated and inserted.
Not only do the roots themselves tend not to shrink, but their presence slows down or prevents the loss of bone. The sensation of biting is much closer to that with natural teeth and the overdenture feels more comfortable and more stable than chewing with conventional dentures. Occasionally the roots are used as anchors with devices that connect the denture and improve stability. Posts may be attached to the roots, which, in turn connect to the denture with spring clips or magnets.
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Precision Partial Attachments
Perhaps you've been wearing a partial denture to fill the space caused by missing teeth but are self-conscious about the metal clasps that show when you open your mouth to talk or smile. You don't have to be self-conscious any longer, however, if you ask Dr. Patenaude to make a partial denture with precision attachments.
To do this, Dr. Patenaude will make crowns for each of the anchor teeth to which the partial is attached. A precision groove will be built directly into the crown. To match that groove, a precision post will be attached to the partial so that it will fit snugly into place and be hidden from view. This has many other advantages, in addition to appearance and snug fit. A partial denture made with precision attachments will reduce the mobility of the partial keeping any sliding rubbing, or slipping to a minimum.
If you are concerned about your appearance and also want your partial denture to fit securely, ask Dr. Patenaude if he would recommend a partial denture with precision attachments for you.
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