FAQ.

Question 1

What are Dentures?

Answer

A denture is an appliance that replaces teeth. You remove it to clean it and it may be replacing all the teeth (full denture) or some of them (partial denture).

Question 2

What steps are involved in getting a Denture?

Answer

Before any denture treatment is undertaken, it is recommended that you have a thorough dental check-up. If you are having full dentures, it will involve an examination of the mouth and an assessment of the health of the gums. If you are having a partial denture, this check-up will include a full examination of your teeth, gums and other soft tissues of your mouth. At this check-up radiographs may be taken to ensure the teeth are healthy, and strong enough to help support a denture. Remember, the only oral practitioner who has the training and is legally able to undertake such a thorough check-up is your local dentist. Then its time to return to us to start your dentures.

Question 3

How long will I have to go without any teeth?

Answer

Some removable dentures are made to be inserted immediately after the removal of a tooth or some teeth. These types of removable dentures are commonly termed ‘immediate dentures’. They can be constructed to replace only one tooth or many teeth. Your local dentist can undertake all the required stages involved in immediate dentures. This will mean that one person will oversee the whole treatment, assuring you of the highest possible standards.

Question 4

How often should I have my Denture checked?

Answer

If you currently wear removable dentures of any kind, it is advisable that you have these checked regularly. It is recommended if you have any remaining natural teeth you should have these and your dentures reviewed every six months or as directed by your dentist. If you have no natural teeth and wear removable full dentures, your dentures should be reviewed at least every two years.

Question 5

Denture cleaning?

Answer

It’s important to regularly remove plaque from your dentures, as unclean dentures can also lead to problems such as bad breath, gum disease, tooth decay and oral thrush.
Clean your dentures as often as you would normal teeth (at least every morning and night), by:
• brushing them with paste before soaking, to remove food particles
• soaking the dentures in a fizzy solution of denture-cleaning tablets to remove stains and bacteria – follow the manufacturer’s instructions and do not soak them overnight
• brushing them again, as you would your normal teeth (but don’t scrub too hard)

Question 6

Eating with Dentures

Answer

When you first start wearing dentures you should eat soft foods cut into small pieces, and chew slowly using both sides of your mouth. Avoid chewing gum and any food that is very sticky, hard or sharp-edged.
You can gradually start to eat other types of food until you are back to your old diet. Never use toothpicks.

Question 7

Oral Hygiene

Answer

Keeping your mouth clean is just as important as ever when you wear dentures. You should brush your remaining teeth, gums and tongue every morning and evening to prevent tooth decay, gum disease and other dental problems

Frequently Asked Questions

Maurie D'Andrea has been servicing Newcastle and the Hunter Valley as a Dental Prosthetist and Dental Technician for over 25 years. Maurie strives to create dentures that are aesthetic, natural looking and functional.