1. Success of new dentures depends on many factors including patient's personal attitude, temperament, health, shape and size of mouth and dental arches, length of time of edentulousness (ie. missing teeth), condition of bone and soft tissues etc.
2. Full denture patients please note: the lower denture can never be equal to the upper as far as retention, stability and ability to withstand biting pressure is concerned. It only has a small rim to grip/rest on, and has the tongue to disturb it. Whereas the upper denture has the entire roof of the mouth, which is free from interferences, to support it.
3. Dentures won't remain permanently satisfactory. Saliva, foods and other fluids cause material deterioration over time. At the same time the supporting tissues and underlying bone are in constant state of change. These changes continue throughout life, although the greatest changes take place within the first 6 months after tooth loss, ie shrinkage of underlying bone. Thus to maintain full use and appearance, the dentures may need to be altered/relined periodically to meet these changes, or even remade. The cost of such alterations are not included in the original charge.
4. Learning time:
- Talking and eating will improve with practise and time ie. a few weeks, after a new denture is inserted. Patient's may prefer to eat alone in the initial days, so as to become accustomed to their denture and not prone to laughing or criticism from family members.
- Appearance too needs time to become ideal, as the muscles relax and the patient's lips adapt themselves to the new dentures, the oral musculature will smooth out and look more natural.
- Patient's who have been edentulous (without teeth) for some time, will exhibit a shortening of the face and collapsing of the lips. This nose to chin appearance is a gradual process which takes place over time, so that friends and family members are not usually aware of it. Therefore the changes brought about by the new dentures ie. repositioning the lips and restoring the former vertical dimensions, may seem great in appearance initially. Patients need to persevere with the new look for a while until they become accustomed to it.
The mouth was not intended to bear the stresses of mastication by artificial dentures, therefore at the beginning patients must expect some irritation and discomfort of the oral tissues.
- If irritation or pain occurs, the dentures must be removed and the mouth allowed to heal. Patients must not become discouraged. Adjustments will be made at the follow up appointments to make the dentures more comfortable.
5. Denture care:
- Dentures may be left out the mouth for short rest periods, and should not be worn at night so as to allow the blood circulation to rebuild the tissues of the denture bearing area. Your gums need rest just as feet need to be relieved from the pressures of wearing shoes.
- Dentures should be brushed daily with a soft brush and dishwasing detergent/gel (not toothpaste). They should be washed over a bowl of water so that if they slip or drop they will land in the water and not break.
- Special attention is needed inside clasps of partial dentures and to the natural teeth which the clasps contact, to avoid tooth decay.
- Denture cleaners ie. steradent should not be used on a daily basis as they may discolour/corrode denture materials.
-When acrylic dentures are outside the mouth they should be kept in a cup of (preferably distilled) water.
