Removable dentures can bring great relief to users, no matter how many teeth they are missing. Advances in dental medicine mean that those who use removable appliances are able to speak and eat as normal, helping them to look and feel their best. But how long do these last, and what are the signs that you might need to get new dentures made? At Smith Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, with branches in Porters Neck, NC, Hampstead, NC, and other North Carolina locations, we have the answers you’re looking for.
How Long Do Removable Dentures Last?
You shouldn’t look at removable dental appliances as a short-term fix for your dental issues. Removable dentures, if looked after well, can last for up to fifteen years in some cases.
What Kinds of Dentures are there?
Removable dental appliances come in two types; full, and partial.
A full (sometimes called a complete) denture is used when all the teeth have been lost or have had to be removed. It consists of the dental base, which is shaped like the gums and serves as the foundation for the artificial teeth, and the artificial teeth, which are embedded in the base and function like regular teeth to allow the user to chew and bite food. It is usual for full dentures to last somewhere between 5 and 10 years.
Partial dentures replace multiple teeth in the upper or lower portion of your mouth and sit in the spaces between your natural teeth. They not only match your natural teeth and fill in gaps, but also make it easier to eat and speak. Partial dentures tend to have a slightly longer lifespan than full dentures, sometimes lasting up to 15 tears.
Why Might I Need My Dentures Replaced?
There are a number of reasons that can lead to having to get a new set of dentures. Whether the problem is mechanical or aesthetic, the best thing you can do if you’re experiencing any dissatisfaction with your dentures is to book an appointment with us.
Fitting Issues
It may not be easy to perceive changes in your mouth unless something goes wrong, but actually, it is very normal for the shape of your mouth to change over time. These changes not only include the loss of teeth but also movement of teeth, loss of volume in the gums, or loss of bone in the jaw. Because your mouth changes over the years, it is important to keep checking that your dentures fit properly. We recommend that you visit us for a denture check-up every six months.
What Signs Should I Be Looking For?
You should be aware of the small signs that there has been some sort of change in your mouth that has caused the dentures to fit less well. These include experiencing new soreness or irritation in the mouth, including clicking or gagging. You should also come in for a check-up to make sure that all is well if you are experiencing any new trouble in speaking.
Dentures that no longer fit properly can cause pain in more places than just the mouth. If the dentures are wobbly, it can cause you to hold your jaw in an unnatural position without noticing. This can lead to pain or aching in the muscles of your neck, shoulders, and back. If you are experiencing such unexplained aches and pains, it may be time to visit us for a fit check.
Wear and Tear
Using your dentures to eat with every day, and wearing them throughout the day, naturally leads to wear and tear, just as it does with your natural teeth. The teeth may become worn down and no longer be in the best shape to help you bite, chew, and speak.
Breakages
Sometimes even the best-made dental appliance will suffer accidental damage. But don’t worry! One broken tooth on a denture doesn’t necessarily mean that the whole thing needs to be replaced. It is essential, however, that you don’t try to repair your dentures yourself. Whether there has been damage to a tooth or to the denture base, the best move is to bring it back to us.
Stains
No matter how well you care for your dentures, they will eventually become stained by the passage of time and the foods and drinks that you consume. It may be that we can whiten the denture teeth, but in some cases, the discoloration has just reached the point where it is just time for a replacement.
How Can I Get the Longest Wear Out of My Dentures?
It’s not possible to make your removable dentures last forever. However, you can make your removable dentures last the longest possible time before replacement by taking care of both them and your mouth.
Relining and Rebasing
These are techniques that we can use to make your dentures last for longer. Relining is where one of our dentists will reshape the underside of a full denture to make it feel more comfortable on your gums. This is ideal if you are experiencing minor issues with fit and comfort. Rebasing is where the whole of the denture base is replaced. This is the best course of action when there has been a significant change that has caused the dentures to become too loose in the mouth.
Cleaning and Soaking
Ideally, you should rinse your dentures with water after you’ve eaten to remove any food particles that have become trapped. You should also remove your dentures before going to bed every night.
To clean the dentures, you should rinse them with warm water and brush them with a soft-bristled brush and a denture cleaner to remove any particles of food, plaque, or bacteria. Dentures are designed to be in your mouth; a moist environment. So, you need to make sure that they don’t dry out. You can do this by soaking them in a glass of water or a denture-soaking solution overnight. If you use a denture solution, be sure to rinse the dentures thoroughly before putting them back in.
Oral Hygiene
As well as cleaning your dentures, you should also clean your mouth after you’ve taken your dentures out. You should use a soft-bristled brush to clean any remaining teeth, and gauze or a very soft toothbrush to clean your gums, tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth. It is also important to get in touch with us if you are experiencing any oral issues, such as mouth ulcers,
Regular Check-ups
Scheduling regular check-ups with us can make sure that your mouth is well looked after. Our gentle, compassionate dental care is such that you don’t need to worry when you come to your appointments; we will do everything we can to help ensure your comfort both during and after your visits. Whether your dentures need a minor adjustment, or if it is time to get a new set, you can trust us to put your needs first.
Get in Touch
If you are considering getting removable dentures, or if you have concerns about the fit of your current dentures, get in touch with us at Smith Family and Cosmetic Dentistry with locations in Porters Neck, NC, Hampstead, NC, and all over North Carolina to schedule an appointment.