What are removable prosthodontics and how will they help me?
Removable prosthodontics are prosthetic or artificial devices, such as dentures and partial dentures that replace missing teeth in your mouth. Replacing lost, damaged or severely decayed teeth may help restore your ability to eat and speak, improve your appearance, and benefit your general health and wellbeing.
Dentures are held in place with either clasps which anchor to available teeth or by natural suction created by the denture on the pallet of the mouth. In occasions where natural suction is not sufficient a denture adhesive maybe recommended or required to maintain the dentures position.
How do I know if I need a denture?
Although dentures may be beneficial, you do not necessarily need dentures just because you have missing teeth. Some considerations to discuss with your dental practitioner when deciding if you need a denture include:
- Are you having trouble chewing food due to the missing teeth?
- Are there any problems (decay, gum disease) with your natural teeth?
- Do you look after your teeth?
- Do you have regular check-ups?
Denture Fabrication & Time Lines
Denture fabrication and fitting will generally take between 2 and 4 appointments to complete. This process is the same for both a partial and full denture, with an exception of an 'Immediate Denture'.
Immediate Dentures
An Immediate Denture is a denture that is fabricated prior to extraction of a tooth / teeth. This denture is then fitted immediately following completion of the extraction. Immediate Dentures will require an adjustment or full replacement 3 to 6 months after the extraction. The adjustment (Reline) and / or replacement is at an additional cost to the immediate denture.
Dentures & You
Dentures have the potential to drastically improve your quality of life, through function and aesthetics.
New Dentures both partial and full will take awhile to get used too. Time and patience is needed and required.
Upper Dentures can in some instances affect your speech as your tongue gets used to having a denture in place. Perseverance is key, continue to talk and it should soon pass.
It is typical for the denture to cause some tenderness and potential soreness in the short term as your mouth adjusts to the new appliance. In instances of persistent soreness or discomfort a minor adjustment may be required. This can generally be done on the spot in the clinic during a review appointment.
Denture Cleaning & Maintenance
It is important to keep your dentures clean. It is advised to rinse after all meals and snacks. While also brushing your dentures twice a day with toothpaste.
Dentures should only be worn whilst you are awake. This is to allow your gums to rest by removing the pressure placed against them and to assist in ensuring they stay healthy.
Regular examinations are still strongly recommended for those with partial or full dentures. This allows for reviews of the gums and jaw bone structure to ensure optimal health, while also screen your tongue, throat, cheeks & lips.
Anesthetic
This treatment may require an anaesthetic if the fitting of the immediate denture requires teeth to be extracted on the same day. For more information about the anaesthetic and the risks involved please discuss any concerns with your dental practitioner.
What are the specific risks of treatment?
In most cases, removable prosthodontics devices are successful. However, there is always some risk depending on your general health, any potential under lying health conditions, how well you care for your surrounding teeth and gums and the care you take with the denture.
Common risks and complications
- Decay: a partial denture will increase the risk of decay for your remaining teeth but will be minimised with good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups
- Sore spots: a new denture may cause a sore spot and/or ulcer when first fitted – return to your dental practitioner to check fit and possible readjustment
- Speech: your speech may be altered temporarily until your tongue and lips adjust to the new denture
- Chewing: your ability to chew certain foods may be altered depending on the stability of the denture – this will usually improve with time and practice. There is always some expected movement during mastication. For patients who have both upper and lower dentures, a denture 'click' can be heard on occasion when the two dentures come in contact with each other.
- Taste: the acrylic and metal parts of a denture may alter your taste of food, especially if the dentures are not cleaned properly
- Staining: stain on dentures can occur however this is minimised by good oral hygiene and avoiding such items as tobacco, coffee and tea
- Odour: the acrylic part of the denture is porous which can collect microscopic food debris and therefore odour
- Reline: the shape and size of your gums and bone may change overtime therefore a new fit (reline) of your denture may be needed
- Food retention: the space between the denture and your gums may catch food during eating. The denture must be removed for cleaning throughout the day.
- Breakage or chipping: Dentures can break and or chip. Biting hard materials, a change in biting forces, traumatic blows to the mouth or dropping the denture are all possible causes of a break, chip or loss of clasp. Small chips to the acrylic or tooth can sometimes be smoothed, however if the chip or break is substantial it may require replacement of the tooth or acrylic. If this occurs it will need to be sent to the lab and will be an additional cost.
- Bleeding: dentures do not usually cause bleeding however, during the construction (including any extractions needed) and the fitting of your denture, bleeding of your gums is more common if you have been taking blood thinning drugs or some complementary/alternative medicines, such as fish oil and turmeric. Please discuss any medications you are currently taking with your dental practitioner at your initial appointment.
Uncommon risks and complications
- Numb lip: The nerve to the lower lip runs through the lower jaw bone. If bone loss occurs, the nerve will lie directly under the gum. Pressure from a denture on this area may cause a numb lip in a manner similar to pressure on your elbow causing numb fingers. This problem requires adjustment of the denture. In very rare and extreme situations, the nerve would have to be surgically repositioned
- Severe or persistent pain: Contact Skygate Dental. Further examinations and possible referrals might be required.
- Infection requiring antibiotics and further treatment: Contact Skygate Dental. Further examinations and possible referrals might be required.
What are the risks specific to me?
There may also be risks specific to your individual condition and circumstances. Please discuss these with your dental practitioner.
What are the risks of not having this treatment?
There may be consequences if you choose not to have the proposed treatment. Please discuss these with your dental practitioner.
Additional options for missing teeth can include but are not limited to: Implant(s), Bridge, and leaving the space as is.
Acknowledgement
I have provided as accurate and complete a medical and personal history as possible including antibiotics, drugs, or other medications I am currently taking as well as those to which I am allergic. I will follow any and all treatment and post-treatment instructions as explained and directed to me and will permit the recommended diagnostic procedures, including X-rays.
I realize that in spite of the possible complications and risks, I do not have to proceed with the treatment should I choose not too. I am aware that the practice of dentistry is not an exact science, and I acknowledge that no guarantees, warrantees, or representations have been made to me concerning the results of the procedure.
I have read this form and have been provided with ample time to ask any and all questions I had in relation to the treatment that has been proposed. I understand and accept the potential risks and complications associated with the treatment.
I wish to proceed with a Partial / Full / Immediate Denture(s).
