Are you a Candidate for Charleston Dentures?

If you are losing, or have lost your teeth, dentures are an option. There are two alternatives available: partial or full dentures. If you have only lost some teeth, and your remaining teeth are healthy, then partial dentures may be the solution. Only a qualified Charleston dentist can advise you if dentures are the correct solution for you.

When deciding if Charleston dentures are right for you, there are several personal, as well as medical factors that you need to take into consideration. Sometimes either dental bridges or dental implants may be a better alternative. Your dentist will help you determine which alternative or combination of procedures is best for your specific dental condition.

When you work with a professional dentist that offers Charleston dentures, he or she will ensure that the dentures provided are not only comfortable and functional, but also cosmetically attractive and natural-looking. In many cases, this can often be accomplished as a same-day service.

When being fitted for dentures, every attention to detail is important. For example, the pink plastic “gum” of your dentures can be designed to fill in and support your facial muscles. This important feature ensures that wrinkles and aging lines are minimized. The benefit of this detail is that your dentures can actually restore and give you a more youthful appearance.

Additionally, your dentures are made very carefully with attention paid to how you say your “s” or “v” sounds. This is to make sure that you are properly articulating words. Also the stability and retention of your dentures is critical, because little can be accomplished if they are loose fitting. As a denture wearer, you should be able to speak normally and eat without the dentures popping out of your mouth.

However, as you are aware, things do change - and this includes your mouth. Over time, your gums can shrink and your jawbone can recedes. Additionally, a gap can develop between your gums and the denture and it will no longer fit. Denture wearers use many different kinds of sticky and often messy creams or powders to try and tighten the hold of their dentures. At times, the dentures may need repeated relines of the adhesive to fill in the gap. At times, no matter what your efforts to deal with these changes, the results are less than perfect - your dentures remain loose and you can have sore spots with regular wear.

When properly maintained, dentures are a good replacement for missing natural teeth. However, almost all denture-wearers find that over time they do experience problems. Typically, they become loose, can move around and can cause painful sore spots. Also maintaining them requires frequent visits to your Charleston dentist for adjustments. Your dentures also may require repeated relines, as well as the need to use messy and often unreliable adhesives to keep them in place. This is annoying and you can end en viewing your dentures more as a necessary evil, as opposed to the blessing you thought they once were.

Fortunately, there is a solution.

Mini dental implants

The shrinkage of the bone and gums can be minimized and even prevented with the new mini dental implants. Placement of these very small and narrow implants will slow down the shrinkage of your jawbone. Additionally, they can minimize or prevent sore spots created by your dentures rubbing against your gums. These implants also solve another difficulty experienced by many denture wearers. You may experience a severe gag reflex with the upper denture because it coveres your palate.

If you elect to have a mini dental implants procedure, they will keep both your upper or lower dentures firmly in place. The upper denture's palate part can be removed. This provides a more natural “feel.” In addition to your dentures being more comfortable, you can even wear them while sleeping. Additionally, using these mini dental implants dramatically slows down the degeneration of your ridge, which is the primary cause for loose dentures.

The mini dental implants procedure

It is only a one-hour procedure and works with either new or your current dentures. Your Charleston dentist first installs four to six ultra-narrow “mini” implants. Next, your denture is adapted with special holders that grip the tiny tops of the implants. That's it!

The entire process takes about an hour and is performed under local anesthesia. There is no discomfort, and unlike traditional implants, there is no gum tissue cutting or stitches required. As a result, this new technique costs far less than other implant methods that require surgery and months to heal. In fact, you will immediately notice that your dentures fit comfortably and you will be able to chew without the dentures moving. You will also find that there is little reason to remove your dentures – except to clean them.

The following is information on how your Charleston dentures are removed and cleaned

Removing dentures

As the denture adhesive absorbs excess water, the hold will eventually loosen. The following techniques are provided to help you to break the seal between the denture's adhesive and your gum tissue:

• Swish your mouth with warm water or mouthwash
• For your lower denture, pull gently while applying a rocking motion
• For your upper denture, Because it has more surface area, it may be more difficult to remove. Place your thumb against the front teeth and press upward and outward toward your nose.

NOTE: If you are experiencing difficulty with these techniques and are uncomfortable leaving your dentures in overnight, you should seek assistance by calling your dentist, a 24-hour dental service or seek help at your local hospital.

Warning: In order to avoid injury, do not use any object except your fingers (not your fingernails) to pry your dentures loose.

Cleaning dentures

Daily care and cleaning of your dentures is very important to help maintain good dental health. You should use a soft brush and a cleaning agent, such as soap and water, or products sold especially for denture cleaning. Ensure to brush both the inside and outside of your denture to help eliminate harmful bacteria. Additionally, it is a good practice to soak your denture in either water or a denture cleaner, such as Polident when you take them out at night.

When you are cleaning your dentures, it is recommended that you hold them over a sink filled with water. This helps to prevent breakage if you accidentally drop your denture. It is also advisable to use a soft cloth or towel to cushion the sink and counter during cleaning.

Remember, dentures do not last forever and need to be replaced at certain intervals. They may break if dropped and even with meticulous care, the denture teeth's natural appearance may change because of your diet, chewing and age of the dentures. Most dentists agree a denture should be replaced every 5-7 years.

If you are interested in Charleston dentures, then contact a professional Charleston dentist to find out the dental options that are best for you.