Dentures
Huntersville Dentist
According to a report by the Center for Disease Control, one fourth of Americans 65 or older have lost all of their teeth. While missing teeth is a common and natural occurrence, it is a dental flaw that is considered unattractive in today’s world.
Our smile has a huge influence on our day to day lives and is a part of who we are. Therefore, choosing how to repair a smile with missing teeth is crucial.
Dr. Tate C. Langdon, the Huntersville NC Dentist, offers dentures for patients who are suffering from missing teeth. Because they are quick, natural looking and minimally invasive, dentures are a popular choice for our patients.
What are Dentures?
Dentures are removable structures with artificial teeth. They are held in place by the muscles in the mouth or by adhesive.
Dentures are a popular choice for patients with missing teeth because they are cheaper, less painful and more affordable than other tooth replacement options. No surgery is required with dentures because the structure is designed to rest on top of your gum line instead of surgically attaching to your jawbone.
How Do I Get Dentures?
The process of receiving dentures is easy and quick compared to other tooth replacement options such as bridgework or dental implants.
Once you have decided that dentures is the best choice for you, there are three general steps to receiving your custom fitted dentures.
Preparation
In order to prepare for your dentures, you will need to undergo a comprehensive exam with the Dentist Huntersville, Dr. Langdon. During this exam, he will check your oral structures to ensure that your gums are in good health. Then he will make impressions of your oral structures. These impressions will be used to create your custom dentures.
Selecting Your Dentures
This step involves trying on several test versions of dentures. These versions are crafted out of wax. You will be able to wear different wax molds to test for comfort and fit. Once you are happy with a certain mold, Dr. Langdon will send the mold to our laboratory to create your permanent dentures. It typically takes one to three weeks for your dentures to be created. In the meantime, Dr. Langdon will give you a temporary set of immediate dentures to protect your gums.
Receiving/Adjusting to Your Dentures
Once we receive your permanent dentures from the lab, you will be able to test them once again for the best fit and make small adjustments as needed. Adjusting to your dentures will take some time. Increased salivation and trouble speaking and eating are common for the first few weeks. We recommend eating small bite-sized portions and practicing saying difficult words slowly to help overcome these initial challenges.
How to Care for Your Dentures
Caring for dentures is simple. Continue to practice healthy oral hygiene with your dentures. Below are several tips on caring for your dentures:
- Remove your dentures every night before sleeping.
- Brush your dentures every day with a soft brush and mild soap.
- When not worn, keep your dentures moist (in a cup of water)
- Brush your gums and mouth every day with fluoride toothpaste
- Never put your dentures in hot water as this can cause damage to the structure
Call our office or visit our Huntersville Dentist, Dr. Tate C. Langdon today to get more information on dentures. Missing teeth can easily and quickly be fixed with dentures!
