Atlas Smiles Dental, Dentist in Wheelers Hill

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Dentures are removable false teeth that are worn to replace missing teeth. These artificial teeth are generally made of acrylic and designed to best match your natural teeth. The base of a denture is called a plate and is usually made of either acrylic resin or metal. Dentures can be taken out and put back into the mouth, and they are available as either full or partial dentures, depending on how many teeth need to be restored. Today's dentures are natural looking and more comfortable than ever.

If you have lost your natural teeth due to damage, decay or injury, dentures can replace your missing teeth and restore your smile. Dentures offer a natural looking solution, enhancing your appearance and benefiting your health.

Missing teeth can cause the facial muscles to droop, causing a person to look older than they actually are. With the support from dentures, you will appear youthful while being able to enjoy food and speak comfortably, just as if you still had your natural teeth.

Dentures make you look and feel your best, so you can enjoy the confidence that comes with a beautiful smile.

Dentures work by fitting over your gums and replacing your missing teeth. They are usually made of acrylic resin (plastic) or a lightweight metal frame (mainly cobalt chrome) with plastic teeth. They are custom-made to fit your mouth and match your natural teeth. They are held in place by suction, adhesive, metal clasps, or implants.

Dentures may cause some discomfort or soreness at first, as your mouth needs to adjust to them. You may also experience some minor problems, such as difficulty speaking or eating, excess saliva, or mouth infections. These problems usually go away within a few weeks or months. You can use over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, to ease the pain. You can also eat soft foods, such as soup, yogurt, or mashed potatoes, and avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods, such as nuts, candy, or gum.

The cost of dentures depends on various factors, such as the type of dentures, the number of teeth involved, the materials used, the location, and the insurance coverage. In Australia, the average cost of dentures in Melbourne ranges from $3,000 to $15,000, but it can vary depending on your individual case and the dentist you choose. Some dentists may offer payment plans or discounts to make dentures more affordable. You can also check with your insurance provider if they cover any part of the cost of dentures.

Denture treatment typically begins with a thorough check-up where your smile.com.au dentist will evaluate your current dental condition and advise on the best treatment options for your individual requirements. This may involve a full examination of your teeth and gums. For partial dentures, you may also need radiographs to evaluate whether your teeth are strong enough to support a denture. You may need teeth extracted and your healing time will depend on how many teeth are removed.

Our dentist will then take impressions of your mouth so they can custom make your dentures to fit your mouth perfectly. Together with your smile.com.au dentist, you can tailor your dentures' size, shape, and colour to your individual requirements. Both immediate and conventional dentures may involve subsequent visits to get the perfect fit.

Immediate dentures can be manufactured and inserted on the same day as your extractions. Conventional dentures typically take between two to three weeks to produce. When your smile.com.au dentist inserts your denture, they will ensure the fit is perfect for you and continue to make adjustments to make them as comfortable as possible.

If you need dentures, you will probably have experienced significant tooth loss and be missing most or all of your teeth. A partial denture is suitable for those who still have some natural teeth remaining. There are several factors that warrant wearing dentures, even for younger people, such as gum disease, tooth decay, or dental abnormalities such as ectodermal dysplasia. There is no age limit on having a beautiful, healthy smile! 

Conventional dentures are moulded over the mouth cavity once the teeth have been removed and the gums have had several weeks to heal, whereas immediate dentures are moulded over the gums immediately after the teeth are removed.

Conventional dentures may leave you toothless for over a month, but having them moulded to your healed gums ensures a perfectly comfortable fit inside the mouth cavity.

Immediate dentures offer the appeal of having your new teeth straight away, although because they have been moulded to your gums before they have had a chance to heal and take their final shape, you will be required to visit your dentist for adjustments to ensure they fit in the mouth properly. This can result in ill-fitting and uncomfortable dentures, and a higher cost for modifications in the long run.

If the idea of being without teeth for several weeks is too uncomfortable for you, immediate dentures will ensure you are confident with your appearance right after your tooth removal. If you wish to save money and receive dentures that fit perfectly inside your healed mouth, conventional dentures are the solution for you.

Whether you need a full or partial set, dentures can replace teeth in a non-invasive way. There is no surgical element to worry about, and temporary dentures can be fitted immediately.  This provides a quick and easy solution.

• They can restore your smile and appearance and fill out your facial profile.  
• They can improve your chewing and speaking abilities and prevent your teeth from shifting or drifting.  
• They can protect your teeth from decay and damage and maintain your bite and jaw alignment.

If, however, you are looking for something that feels more natural, you should consider a cosmetic dentistry procedure.

 Dentures provide a non-invasive and quick solution for replacing missing teeth, enhancing both appearance and confidence. They improve chewing and speaking abilities, prevent teeth shifting, and act as a protective barrier against decay. Dentures also contribute to the preservation of facial structure and the restoration of bite function, offering convenience and aesthetic benefits. 

Dentures are designed to look as similar to your natural teeth as possible, making them almost unnoticeable. They will improve the appearance of your smile and resolve any facial sagging caused by missing teeth. 

Dentures pose challenges as they lack the natural feel of teeth, often feeling foreign about it. They can cause discomfort in gums, mouth, or jaw, especially after adjustments.   Issues such as slipping, potential bone loss, changes in taste and sensation, speech difficulties, eventual replacements due to wear and tear, and associated costs may arise. While functional, patients acknowledge the need for separate care. Unlike other cosmetic dentistry procedures, dentures may remind you of tooth loss. Consulting with a dentist helps assess individual needs and explore the most suitable tooth replacement options. 

There are several alternatives to dentures, including dental implants and tooth supported fixed bridges. Dental implants are becoming a popular alternative to restoring teeth as they more closely resemble the feel of natural teeth. They are, however, more expensive than dentures, and they require a strong and healthy gum and jawbone for implantation, so not everyone is a candidate for this treatment. 

You can book a FREE consultation on Dental Implant with our dentist.

As your tongue and mouth get used to your new dentures, eating may take some practice at first. It is advised that you begin with softer foods cut into small pieces, and ensure you chew with both sides of your dentures at the same time to avoid any movement of your dentures. Eventually, you will feel comfortable returning to your normal diet without a second thought, but it is important to remain cautious with hot or hard foods and sharp bones or shells. 

 When you first have your dentures, you may prefer to start with softer foods cut into small pieces. This can include foods like applesauce, pudding, mashed potatoes and yoghurt.

While chewing gum can increase saliva production, it is best to avoid chewing gum where possible. Chewing gum typically pulls at your dentures and may loosen the seal. This could result in your dentures becoming loose at inconvenient times. Chewing gum also sticks to the acrylic plastic in dentures and can remain stuck. Stuck gum will eventually harden and discolour.

Within the first couple of weeks of receiving your dentures, you will be advised to wear them almost constantly, even when you sleep. After this initial period, it is advised that you remove your dentures at night while you sleep to allow the gum tissue to rest and encourage normal stimulation and cleansing by the tongue and saliva.

Removing your dentures at night gives your gums, bones, and other denture bearing tissues a chance to relax and recover. If you do want to wear your dentures at night, it’s important to properly clean your dentures during the day. This prevents any irritation, odour or disease that can stem from poor oral hygiene management. 

Denture adhesive can be used to increase the feeling of security and give you peace of mind that your dentures will stay in place all day. Well-fitting dentures can benefit from this additional retention, but adhesive is not the solution for ill-fitting dentures. If your dentures feel loose or cause irritation and sores, it is advised that you consult your dentist for amendments.

When used correctly, denture adhesives are perfectly safe. It is only when used excessively for ill-fitting dentures that adhesives can cause harm to underlying gums and tissues of the mouth.

Always consult our dentist if you wish to make adjustments to your dentures. If a person who lacks the proper training makes any adjustments or repairs to your dentures, it could seriously damage your dentures and harm your health.

If your dentures break, crack or chip, or if one of the teeth suddenly becomes loose, our dentist can often make the necessary adjustments or repairs on the same day. Never attempt to solve the problem yourself.

Always consult our dentist if you wish to make adjustments to your dentures. If a person who lacks the proper training makes any adjustments or repairs to your dentures, it could seriously damage your dentures and harm your health.

If your dentures break, crack or chip, or if one of the teeth suddenly becomes loose, our dentist can often make the necessary adjustments or repairs on the same day. Never attempt to solve the problem yourself.

It is important to be very careful with your dentures to avoid dropping and breaking them. You must also brush and rinse them daily with a special denture cleaner to remove any bacteria. The general rule of thumb is to brush, soak, and brush again. Brushing your dentures before soaking them helps to remove any food debris.

Effervescent denture cleaner will help to remove stubborn stains and leave your dentures feeling fresh and clean. Following this, you should then brush the dentures again, as you would your own teeth, being careful not to scrub too hard as this can leave marks.

Most dentists recommend using a small- to medium-headed toothbrush and toothpaste. Make sure you clean all the surfaces of the dentures including the surface that comes into contact with your gums. This is especially important if you use any kind of denture adhesive. If you notice a build-up of stains or scale, have your denture professionally cleaned by your Smile approved dentist.

Maintaining good oral hygiene is vital, even when wearing full dentures. You should brush your gums, the roof of your mouth and your tongue with a soft bristled toothbrush every day to keep your mouth clean and healthy and stimulate circulation in your mouth.

Patients with partial dentures need to brush their teeth thoroughly twice a day to prevent tooth decay and gum disease that can result in losing further teeth.

It is not recommended to sleep with your dentures on, as this can cause various problems for your oral health and your dentures. Some of the reasons why you should take out your dentures at night are:

• Sleeping with your dentures can increase the risk of infections, such as denture stomatitis, which causes inflammation and yeast growth under your dentures.
• Sleeping with your dentures can also lead to bone loss or weakening of your jaw and gum bones, as they do not get enough rest and stimulation from your natural teeth.
• Sleeping with your dentures can damage or loosen them over time, as they are exposed to more wear and tear and pressure from your mouth.
• Sleeping with your dentures can affect your appearance and comfort, as they can stain, warp, or break, and cause bad breath, dry mouth, or sore gums.

Therefore, it is advisable to remove your dentures every night before sleeping and clean them properly. You should also brush your teeth and gums and use a mouthwash to keep your mouth healthy. You should soak your dentures in water or a denture cleaner overnight to disinfect them and prevent them from drying out. You should also visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and adjustments of your dentures.

You can wear your dentures while swimming or playing sports, but you should take some precautions to avoid any problems. Here are some tips to help you enjoy your summer activities with your dentures:

• Use a denture adhesive to secure your dentures in place. This will prevent them from slipping or falling out when you are in the water or moving around. You can choose from different types of adhesives, such as pastes, powders, or strips, depending on your preference and comfort.
• Wear a mouthguard to protect your dentures and your mouth from injury. A mouthguard is a device that covers your teeth and gums and cushions any impact or force. You can buy a ready-made mouthguard from a pharmacy or a sports store, or you can have a custom-made mouthguard from your dentist or dental prosthetist. A custom-made mouthguard will fit better and offer more protection than a ready-made one.
• Remove your dentures before diving or jumping into the water. This will prevent your dentures from breaking or getting lost in the water. You should also remove your dentures before eating or drinking anything that can stain, damage, or get stuck in your dentures, such as coffee, tea, wine, soda, popcorn, ice, hard candy, or chewing gum.
• Store your dentures in a sturdy case when you are not wearing them. This will protect your dentures from getting damaged or misplaced. You should also keep your dentures moist by soaking them in water or a denture cleaner overnight. This will prevent your dentures from drying out or warping.
• Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and adjustments. This will ensure that your dentures fit properly and function well. Your dentist or dental prosthetist can also repair or replace your dentures if they are worn out, broken, or loose.