Dentures are a popular choice for teeth replacement, especially when you need a quick solution. About 41 million Americans use them annually.
At Crystal Smiles Dental in Livermore, California, Colin Young, DMD and our professional dental team understand everything you need to know about dentures.
Dentures aren’t one-size-fits-all. You have several options to choose from according to the condition of your oral health and desired outcome. When you come into our office for an exam, we assess your dental needs and work with you to determine the best solution.
Different types of dentures
Most dentures are removable and serve as a replacement for your missing teeth and the surrounding tissues. If you only have one or a few teeth you want to have replaced, then we can give you flippers as a temporary option until you get a dental implant.
We also provide partial dentures if you have some teeth missing and complete dentures if you’ve lost all of your teeth. Hybrid dentures are a permanent option for you when accompanied by implants on each side of your dental arch.
All types of dentures can help return full function to your mouth. However, it may take a few weeks to get used to them.
What to expect with dentures
Your dentures might feel awkward at first. Over time, you become more comfortable with them. If they’re removable, you have to get acclimated to putting them in and taking them out. Also, while you’re wearing them, the muscles in your cheeks and your tongue help keep your dentures in place, which takes adjusting to, as well.
You might experience an increase in saliva and small irritations in your mouth, but these symptoms dissipate as you adjust to your new dentures.
Tips and tricks for getting used to your dentures
When you first get your dentures, you may have some slight pain. If so, we recommend that you:
- Use denture adhesive to prevent your dentures from slipping
- Apply gel or cream to take away soreness
- Gargle and rinse with salt water when you take your dentures out
- Massage your gums to increase circulation
- Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication
- Take your dentures out at bedtime
If your pain persists, schedule an appointment with our team for more advanced options to give you relief.
Once you have your dentures, we work with you and can make adjustments to them, as needed. We monitor you closely to make sure you can talk and chew effectively and that you’re happy with the results.
If you’d like to learn more about dentures, contact us today. You can call, text, or request an appointment online. If you have any questions before your visit, feel free to send us a message.