Top Denture Care Advice and New Dentures Tips 

What is a Dental Prosthetist?

Here at Emergency Denture Repairs, we believe that thorough and consistent dental care at home is crucial to ensuring the ongoing wellbeing of your mouth. However, many people may not realise this or be aware of the techniques they can use to make this happen.

As experts in dental care, we have put together some handy tips and guides that outline the ways in which you can care for your oral health.

What are dentures?

Dentures are removable prosthetic appliances that replace all or a few missing teeth as well as the adjoining tissue.

Who is a candidate for dentures?

If you have lost, or are losing all of your natural teeth, full dentures are an option to discuss with your Dental Prosthetist at your free consultation. If some of your natural teeth remain and are healthy, a partial denture may be an alternative. After an oral examination, your options will be discussed in detail as there are several factors to take into consideration before deciding the best treatment plan.

Do I need a referral to see a Dental Prosthetist?

No, a referral is not necessary to consult with a Dental Prosthetist from EDR. In some circumstances however, general practitioners or dentists may refer patients for treatment.

What is a Dental Prosthetist?

A Dental Prosthetist is a highly qualified and skilled member of the dental profession registered to design, construct, fit and maintain complete and partial dentures and mouth guards to the public. Dental Prosthetists are equipped with the most comprehensive specialized knowledge of advanced techniques, new materials and the latest world trends in the field of removable artificial appliances.

What Are Denture Adhesives?

Denture adhesives are products used to keep your dentures properly positioned in your mouth and come in two varieties – paste or powder. Adhesives should only be used to provide added stability to an already well fitting denture. Adhesive may be recommended initially, but otherwise should not be necessary. If your dentures begin to feel loose, cause discomfort or sore spots begin to appear, contact your Dental Prosthetist as soon as possible.

Are Denture Adhesives Safe?

Dental adhesives are safe as long as they are used as directed. If the denture is well-fitting and the adhesive is only used to give added stability, there should be no ill effects. If adhesives are used excessively to fill voids for an ill-fitting denture, they can be harmful to the underlying tissues. Occasionally, in these cases, inflammation of the soft tissues can result. In addition, because of its movement on the soft tissue and underlying bone, an ill-fitting denture can cause bone loss.

What are Over Dentures?

Over dentures are a type of full denture that fit over a small number of remaining natural teeth or implants, to provide greater stability and support of the denture during chewing. It also helps reduce pressure on portions of the supporting tissues. The natural teeth must be prepared by a Dental Surgeon prior to insertion of the over denture and as a result, cost more than full dentures. Your Dental Prosthetist will determine if an over denture is a suitable option for you.

How long until my new dentures settle?

It is common to have some soreness or irritation, initially, and adjustment times vary between people. Be patient and have a positive attitude, particularly if adjusting to lower dentures. Your new dentures will feel different to your natural teeth, or your old dentures. They may feel loose or bulky until the muscles of your cheeks and tongue learn to hold it in place. You may gag, bite your cheeks or produce more saliva than usual, which settles with time.

What do I do if I get sore spots?

For new dentures, contact us as soon as possible for an adjustment. If you have sore spots with an existing denture, remove them and rinse your mouth regularly with salt water. If they persist after 3-4 days, book an appointment. Wear your dentures for 6 hours before your appointment so sore spots are visible. Never attempt to adjust your dentures, as you may cause irreparable damage. Contact us immediately if an ulcer, sore or lump does not heal within 10-14 days, even if it is not painful.

Will my new dentures change my speech?

When your new dentures are first fitted, it is normal to experience some difficulty with pronouncing certain words or sounds. You may lisp or whistle your ‘s’ initially, but any difficulties are generally overcome very quickly. Speaking takes time and practice until your tongue, lips and cheeks adjust to the new shape of your mouth. Gain confidence by reading aloud and repeating difficult words in front of the mirror. Any persistent issues can be corrected by your Dental Prosthetist.

Will my new dentures affect the foods I can eat?

Begin with soft foods, progressing to a wide variety of nutritious, textured foods, cut into small pieces. Chew on your back teeth, using both sides at the same time, to keep the pressure even. Avoid very hard, fibrous, tough, sticky or chewy foods as they may crack or unseat your dentures. Tomato and sesame seeds and nut fragments can lodge under dentures causing pain. Eucalyptus oil is found in many mint lollies and can dissolve acrylic, so avoid the habit of sucking on mints during the day.

How much will new dentures cost?

Cost depends on the type of dentures you need and want. All dentures are not created equal and if you look for the lowest price, you’ll get what you pay for. We offer an obligation-free consultation where your Dental Prosthetist will provide a written quote. Whether looking for economy, standard or premium dentures, EDR can find a denture solution to meet your needs and suit your budget. We offer a 10% discount for pensioners, Health Care Card and Seniors Card holders as well as assisting with dental rebates.

What causes dentures to break?

Dentures are very delicate and can easily break. Dropping them is the number one reason for breakage. EDR only uses high quality, high impact resistant materials that will not break as easily, compared to cheaper varieties. Other causes of broken dentures include chewing very hard foods, loose fitting dentures, incorrect storage or cleaning, and attempts to adjust or repair your own dentures. In addition, aged and worn dentures are more prone to breakage.

What should I do if I break my dentures?

Never wear damaged or broken dentures as it can cause irritation or damage to your oral tissues and small parts can be swallowed. Never use ‘do-it-yourself’ denture repair kits as they can cause irreparable damage and never use super glue as it is toxic and dangerous to your health. As a special service, EDR offers professional emergency denture repairs within 1 hour, while-u-wait. Bring every piece of your broken dentures to your repair appointment.

How do I insert and remove my new dentures?

Proper insertion and removal of your new dentures is essential to prevent damage, especially if you have partial dentures with delicate clasps or attachments. Use both hands for insertion and removal, taking care to avoid holding clasps or thin metal parts on partial dentures. Never bite or force a partial denture into position as it may damage the clasps, your natural teeth or delicate oral tissues. It should slide and snap into place with finger pressure.

Should I take my dentures out whilst sleeping?

Generally we recommend wearing your new dentures constantly for the first 24 -48 hours. After this initial period, we strongly recommend leaving your dentures out at night to allow your gums and palate to breathe and rest. Removal of your dentures also allows stimulation and cleansing by your tongue and saliva which will help maintain the long term health of your oral tissues. If you have jaw joint problem, your Dental Prosthetist may recommend sleeping with your dentures inserted.

What if I can’t bear to sleep without my dentures?

Some people declare they cannot sleep without their teeth inserted because it feels strange, they snore or they feel too self-conscious in front of their partner without them. If this is the case, although not ideal, we usually suggest removing the dentures for as long as possible every day, perhaps when in the shower or getting dressed.

How do I store my dentures when not wearing them?

After you remove your dentures, clean them thoroughly but gently, and then place them in a cup of water. This will prevent them drying out and warping. Remember to scrub the denture cup weekly to prevent bacterial or fungal growth. Always store your dentures in a safe area, out of reach of inquisitive children or pets!

Why should I choose EDR for my new dentures?

EDR has over 30 years experience in denture construction both in Perth and Italy. Our clinics have on-site dental laboratories enabling you to deal direct with the manufacturer who will be personally involved in the construction of your new dentures. Our dentures are finely crafted by our team of experienced Dental Technicians and custom-fitted by our Dental Prosthetists. We have a team of 5 Dental Prosthetists, many whom have received awards in recognition of their individual expertise.

How often should my dentures be checked?

An annual oral examination and denture check-up is important to ensure your dentures look and perform at their optimum and to maximize their life expectancy. In addition, the fit, comfort, pattern of tooth wear, stability and health of your oral tissues can be checked. As part of our Denture Maintenance Program we will contact you annually, otherwise, ring for an appointment if you have sore spots that last longer than 1 week, your dentures become ill-fitting or you have problems chewing food.

What is the EDR Denture Maintenance Program?

The EDR Denture Maintenance Program is our excellent aftercare program designed to optimize the aesthetics, fit and function of your dentures. We recall you for an annual examination of your dentures to check comfort, stability, pattern of tooth wear, bite and presence of cracks, chips, scratches or loose teeth. Oral tissues are checked for ulcers, fungal infection, fibrous tissue or redness. Oral hygiene procedures are checked and your dentures professionally cleaned and polished if required.

Can I claim my new dentures on private health insurance?

Your Dental Prosthetist will provide a written quote detailing item numbers for each component of your proposed treatment. You can quote these items numbers to your private health fund to calculate any out-of-pocket expenses.

How long will my new dentures last?

Dentures don’t last forever. The tissue and underlying bone in the mouth are continually changing and over time dentures become worn and don’t fit as well. Dentures usually last between 5 to 7 years and need to be relined every 1 to 2 years to maintain a good fit. Your dental prosthetist will advise when this is necessary. It is important to follow your denture aftercare instructions, to maximize the life of your dentures.

What happens if I don’t regularly replace my dentures?

Worn out, ill-fitting dentures may cause permanent damage or compromise the health of the oral tissues. Some possible effects of ill-fitting dentures include headaches, neck and joint pain, difficulty chewing, limiting the variety of nutritious foods in your diet, loss of facial or lip support, over-closing of the jaw, irritated soft gums, as well as premature bone loss.

How has denture technology changed?

With the advancements in denture technology today, dentures have lost the stigma they carried in the past. Denture teeth come in a wide range of shades and shapes so we can design the custom smile you’ve always wanted. The dentures available are so natural looking that often no one knows they are artificial.

What payment facilities do you have available?

We accept Visa, MasterCard, EFTPOS and Cash. We have a HICAPS terminal for on the spot private health insurance claims.

What are Partial Dentures?

Partial dentures are designed to fill the gaps in your smile when one or more of the natural teeth are missing in either your upper or lower jaw. Not only does a partial denture fill in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from changing position. Metal clasps can be used anchor the dentures to your natural teeth. A precision partial denture has internal attachments rather than clasps that attach to the adjacent teeth. This is a more natural-looking appliance.

How do conventional and immediate dentures differ?

Conventional dentures are inserted in the mouth about 8-12 weeks after tooth removal when the gum has healed. Immediate dentures are made in advance and are inserted as soon as the teeth are removed so you do not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However as bones and gums shrink after tooth removal, their disadvantage is that they require more adjustments to fit properly during the healing process and are considered a temporary solution until conventional dentures can be made.

What is a soft liner?

If your Dental Prosthetist has meticulously adjusted the fit of your dentures and you still have sore spots, a soft liner is a great solution. Soft liners are a medical-grade soft polymer material applied to the tissue-fitting surface of your hard denture base and behave like a shock-absorbing cushion when you chew. Soft liners can be applied to new dentures or old dentures, with reline or rebase treatments and last 2-4 years on average.

Providing premium dentures and denture services across Perth

At Emergency Denture Repairs, we are committed to giving our patients the smile they deserve and with 7 clinics throughout Perth, your perfect smile is never far away. For your convenience, each location has on-site parking, we also offer a mobile denture service should you have limited mobility, are hospitalised or reside in an aged care facility. We give priority to emergency repairs so your smile can be restored immediately.

We are a preferred HBF health fund provider – Get up to 80% rebate. Conditions apply.*
Emergency Denture Repairs wishes to advise that any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

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