Dentures
Our denture options are tailored especially to give maximum comfort, security and function when you are missing several or even all of your teeth
Modern dentures
The art and science of dentures has come a long way from the loose-fitting false teeth your Grandmother used to keep in a glass by the bed, they fit snugly and match your existing teeth so well, you’ll hardly know they are there.
Completing your smile
Many people have reservations about dentures, associating them with old age. Yet well-fitted dentures can actually make you look younger, improving your appearance with a seamless smile.
Mind the Gap!
Mind the Gap!Modern dentures can be fitted immediately after an extraction, so you are never left with a gap. They may need adjusting later, as your gums change shape, but you will never loose that full smile.
FAQ’s
Why might I need dentures?
If you are missing several teeth or all of your teeth, dentures can be used to replace the function and appearance of your natural teeth. Our clinicians create dentures that are both comfortable and natural looking and we will take the time to discuss all the options with you. If you would like a removable solution to restore your smile, dentures could be ideal for you.
Gaps caused by missing teeth can affect your chewing and speaking in addition extra strain can be put on teeth either side of the gap, and your bite can become misaligned. The missing teeth and bone can also cause your face to sag and look older, and you could end up losing further teeth.
What are the advantages of dentures?
There are a number of benefits to choosing dentures to replace your missing teeth.
- You will have a full, natural-looking smile
- Dentures are durable and long-lasting
- They enable you to eat more foods and speak comfortably
- They can easily be removed
- They give support to any remaining teeth
How do dentures work?
There are three solutions available:
Complete dentures replace a full arch if you have lost all of your teeth. An acrylic plastic base, coloured to match your gums, with a full set of teeth usually made from resin, fits over your own gums. Your Mullan Gallagher dentist will take precise measurements of your mouth, which will be given to a dental technician who will custom-make your dentures so that they fit snugly over your gums and jawbone. Your dentist will make sure your dentures are comfortable, and advise you on how to clean them and the best methods for keeping them securely in place.
Partial denturesare used if you still have some of your own teeth. The replacement teeth are specially created to fit the gaps you have, and to blend in with your remaining teeth. These are fixed to either a plastic or metal framework that attaches to your natural teeth to hold in place.
Implant retained dentures are a more stable and secure solution for partial or complete dentures. Denture stabilisation uses implants to secure overdentures in place. Implants are small titanium screws that are placed permanently in the jawbone and act in place of your tooth’s natural root. The implant provides a fixed, permanent anchor onto which your overdentures can be secured. Implant retained dentures offer a number of benefits over removable dentures:
- They fit securely to your gums
- They feel less intrusive
- They look and feel like real, natural teeth
- It’s easier to bite and chew with them
- Implants stimulate bone growth
It can take a while to get used to your new dentures, but modern dentures are more comfortable and natural looking than ever.
How soon can I have a denture after my teeth are taken out?
Dentures can be fitted straight after your teeth have been removed, these are called ‘immediate dentures’. Your Mullan Gallagher Downpatrick dentist will have assessed you beforehand and taken measurements and impressions of your mouth.
With immediate dentures you don’t have to be without teeth while your gums are healing although if it is not in a visible area sometimes your dentist may advise you to wait until your gums are healed before having your dentures more rapid healing and a better fit.
bone and gums can shrink over time, especially during the first six months after your teeth have been taken out. If your gums shrink, your immediate dentures may need relining, adjusting or even replacing. Your dental team will be able to talk to you about this.
Are all dentures the same?
Not all dentures are the same, after a thorough examination of your teeth, your gums, the location of the gaps and the condition of the remaining teeth, your dentist will discuss which denture type is best for your mouth and help you make the right decision. In Mullan Gallagher Dental Care we provide the following denture options
- Standard acrylic (plastic) dentures
- Remarkably light flexible ‘Valplast Dentures’
- Well fitting, secure metal chrome dentures
- Lightweight secure comfortable Titanium dentures
- Implant retained denture
How do I look after my dentures?
Dentures must be looked after as if they were your natural teeth. Plaque can develop on dentures in much the same way as it can on natural teeth, which can put you at risk of gum disease.
With removable dentures, we recommend you take them out and clean them thoroughly with a soft brush and a denture paste (not toothpaste). Make sure you brush all the surfaces of the dentures, including the surface that fits against your gums. This is especially important if you use any kind of denture fixative. Dentures should thenbe rinsed and soaked overnight in a denture cleanerto disinfect them, leaving them feeling fresher, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Remember to keep your mouth clean too, by gently brushing your gums and tongue with a soft brush and rising with a mouthwash.
Dentures may break if you drop them. Always clean your dentures over a bowl of water or a folded towel in case you drop them.
Are dentures my only option?
No. Bridges and partial dentures and dental implants are other options to consider. Ask your dental team for more information.
Contact Mullan Gallagher Dental Care today to find out more about how dentures could work for you.
