Advancements in dental technology have revolutionized the look, feel, and fit of removable dentures. The dentures of the past pale in comparison to the latest version of these oral appliances. If you live in the Surf City, NC, area and are interested in full or partial dentures, we can customize the perfect treatment plan for your needs to enhance the appearance of your smile and ensure the most natural look, function, and feel.
What To Expect With Removable Dentures in Surf City, NC
At Smith Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer removable dentures to meet the needs of patients with missing or extracted teeth. Those interested in removable dentures in Surf City, NC, will have the option of full or partial dentures. After getting your custom dentures, you’ll experience all the benefits of a complete and natural-looking set of teeth.
In the meantime, there are some things you should know in advance before getting dentures so that you have realistic expectations about the treatment process, the results, and the realities of living with dentures.
You’ll Have the Option of Getting Full or Partial Dentures
Once you are confirmed as a good candidate for dentures, you’ll have the option of full or partial dentures. Full dentures are designed to replace a complete of missing teeth and will sit on top of your gums. They’re the most traditional type of dentures available, are removable, and are typically taken out at night while sleeping.
Partial dentures are designed for patients who are missing a select few teeth in different areas. While they are similar to full dentures in appearance, they won’t replace all of the teeth. An initial consultation is the best way to confirm which of these options is right for your needs.
Your Dentures Will Be Custom-Made
Each set of dentures is custom-made to each patient. The first step in the customization process is taking dental impressions, during which the dentist will create impressions of your upper and lower jaws. Those impressions will be sent to a dental lab, where they’ll be used to create custom dentures that fit perfectly into your mouth.
The dental technician will use the impressions to design your dentures and place artificial teeth where needed. After your custom dentures are made, you’ll come into the office for a fitting to ensure they’re a perfect match for your mouth and don’t cause discomfort in the gum area.
Dentures Are Long-Lasting
Once you undergo the fitting process and receive your custom dentures, you can enjoy them for seven to ten years. With regular dental checkups and consistent care, your dentures will last a significant amount of time and help you maintain a normal look, feel, and function when eating, talking, and living.
There Will Be an Adjustment Period
Dentures are designed to replace and act like natural teeth, but if you’ve never worn them before, it’s important that you’re prepared for the adjustment period. Getting used to speaking and chewing with dentures will take some time. It takes approximately one month for most patients to adjust to this oral appliance.
Over time, your mouth and mind will adjust to using dentures, any excess salivation will decrease, and eating foods and speaking will feel normal again. Knowing there is an adjustment will help you have realistic expectations about the treatment process and prevent you from feeling concerned during that initial first few weeks after getting dentures.
You’ll Need To Start Out Eating Soft Foods After Getting Dentures
Immediately after getting your dentures fitted, you must refrain from certain foods during the adjustment period. You’ll need to eat softer foods for several days as your mouth adjusts to this new oral appliance.
Many patients who opt for dentures will eat oatmeal, smoothies, meal replacement shakes, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, and other foods that are easy to chew to avoid discomfort during those first few weeks after the treatment. Within the first few days, you can slowly transition back to normal foods.
You’ll Need To Avoid Certain Foods When Wearing Dentures
There are some foods that you must avoid when wearing dentures to ensure optimal comfort. As a general rule of thumb, avoid hard, tough, or sticky foods. Foods that require excessive chewing, like tough meats, hard foods that put pressure on your jaw, like nuts, popcorn, and certain seeds, as well as foods with small pieces that could get stuck in your dentures, should be avoided.
Even though there are some foods you’ll need to avoid as a denture wearer, you can still enjoy your favorite foods, including but not limited to the following:
- Cooked vegetables
- Naturally soft fruits
- Chocolate
- Ground meat
- Slow cooked foods
- Soft proteins
- Protein spreads
You’ll Need To Clean Your Dentures Regularly
Both full and partial dentures require proper care and regular cleaning. After eating, you’ll need to remove and rinse your dentures to prevent loose food particles from adhering to the synthetic teeth. You must also brush them daily with a soft toothbrush and a special denture cleansing solution to eliminate any plaque or food from the surface and grooves.
When you receive your custom dentures, we’ll provide detailed information about how to care for them while in use and when you’re sleeping to keep them in the best long-term condition.
Your Dentures Will Improve Your Appearance
Dentures are designed to replace missing teeth; because they resemble natural teeth, you won’t look significantly different after getting them. Dentures can actually enhance your appearance because they improve teeth aesthetics while still looking completely natural.
After getting partial or full dentures, those new synthetic teeth will be perfectly straight and perfect. As a result, you can expect an improved smile, brighter and straighter teeth, and a confidence boost. Dentures may also make you appear younger, as they can help restore natural muscle tone in the face and jaw where the skin had previously begun to sag due to missing teeth.
You’ll Take Your Dentures Out While Sleeping
It’s typically recommended that patients remove their dentures at night to rest their gums, but leaving them in accidentally won’t harm your oral health. Taking them out for at least eight hours every night will ensure adequate jawbone strength, give your gums a chance to rest, and prevent oral bacteria from negatively affecting your mouth.
You’ll Still Need To Schedule Regular Dental Exams
Even after getting dentures, you’ll still need to schedule and attend regular dental checkups to ensure that your gums are in optimal condition, detect if there have been any changes in your gum or oral health, and ensure that your dentures fit and function exactly as they should.
These appointments are designed to confirm that your dentures are still meeting your needs. If they’re not, the dentist can discuss any concerns you may have and make the necessary adjustments.
If you’ve been considering dentures and want to proceed with the treatment process, you won’t regret your decision. We can customize the perfect set of dentures so you can feel confident in your smile and speech and look completely natural. Contact one of the Smith Family and Cosmetic Dentistry offices in Porters Neck, Sneads Ferry, Jacksonville, Goldsboro, Wilmington, Hampstead, or Surf City, NC, today to schedule your initial consultation and confirm your treatment eligibility.