3 Ways to Fill a Tooth Gap
Do you have a tooth gap? They are a common issue, and for many, a gap in your teeth may make you feel self-conscious. If you're seeking a solution, don't...
Dentures should pull their weight. After all, when you’re replacing missing teeth, you want the restoration to look and feel like the real thing. But the unfortunate truth is that many denture patients aren’t satisfied with the end result. They experience issues with their dentures slipping, clicking, and not accomplishing daily tasks the way they should.
That’s not what our patients deserve, and it’s not a level of restoration that we’re happy with, either. The team at Hoffman Dental Care does everything possible to help our patients achieve great-fitting dentures that work well and feel comfortable. That means a few different things – finding the right type of denture, considering dental implants, and working through your denture adjustment period. We’ve detailed each consideration below.
If you ever have questions about dentures or tooth loss, don’t hesitate to reach out to our staff.
Getting Dentures that Get the Job Done
Dentures come with some innate difficulties. They replace a full jaw’s worth of missing teeth. But without remaining teeth, there aren’t structures that can hold the dentures tightly in place. This means that dentures need to rely on the gums for stability, and that’s just not ideal. The gums are not only smooth but soft, and can change shape over time. The more years someone spends in dentures, the more likely it is that the gums will stop being able to hold on.
What are the common denture problems we’re hoping to solve? Patients are most often frustrated by the following:
- Denture irritation on the gums
- Discomfort from an ill-fitting denture
- Trouble eating, speaking and performing other routine tasks
- A loose fit that leads to dentures slipping and clicking against each other
- Soft tissue infections due to sores from rubbing or bacteria trapped by the dentures
AvaDent Dentures Improve the Standard
Dental technology is always evolving and advancing. Today’s digital fabrication methods make restoration simpler and more precise. AvaDent takes away the guesswork and ongoing fittings that can drag down the denture process. Instead of using physical impressions, AvaDent employs 3D images of your mouth to build highly detailed models of your teeth and gums. These three dimensional models allow AvaDent labs to fabricate precise dentures that fit well on the first try.
In addition to accomplishing a great fit, AvaDent dentures offer these advantages:
- Fewer follow-up appointments, since the fit is superior to begin with
- Shorter adjustment period
- Feel similar to natural teeth
- Beautiful dentures that aren’t recognizable as false teeth
- Preserved patient record, with the impressions saved digitally, making for easy denture replacement when necessary
- Reduced likelihood of infection, with denser denture materials that lower the chances of bacteria becoming lodged in dentures
Dental Implant-Supported Dentures
Dental implants bypass the gums and draw support from the jaw bone. Choosing to get implants will help you lend stability to your dentures. Implants can attach to existing sets of dentures, so you can receive implants if you’re already wearing dentures but are unhappy with them. Schedule a consultation to learn more about whether you might be an implant candidate.
How to Get Used to New Dentures
In addition to getting dentures that fit well, it’s important to take the necessary steps to adjust to your new teeth. Work through this adjustment period effectively by following these tips:
- Be patient & realistic – Dentures will feel strange in your mouth at the start. You may feel a little embarrassed as you learn to use them – this is completely natural. Your mouth may be sore if you’re recently had extractions to prepare for the dentures. It can be helpful to take out your dentures throughout the day (every 4 hours) while you’re still getting used to them. Start with soft foods and then work back up to tougher or crunchier foods. One of the reason you got dentures was to be able to chew comfortably and eat your favorite foods – don’t rely on softer processed foods now.
- Try singing – Speech therapists recommend music for speech training. While you’re wearing your dentures, sing along with songs to get better acquainted with your new teeth.
- Try cheek exercises – Your cheek muscles direct the food in your mouth toward the back when you’re getting ready to swallow. If you build up these muscles, you’ll have more control while eating. To stretch and tone them, hold a wide smile for 10 seconds a few times a day.
- Use an adhesive – Ask for adhesive recommendations from Dr. Hoffman and experiment with a few different types. Just a small amount of denture glue can help you minimize irritation.
- Follow up with your dentist – Make sure to keep your planned follow-ups and follow Dr. Hoffman’s instructions. Everyone’s denture journey is unique – we’re always here to answer any questions.
