Dentures Professional

What are dentures?

Dentures are removable, artificial teeth that can be used to replace some or all of your natural teeth. If you have no remaining natural teeth, Dr. Garvey uses complete dentures, whereas if you have some teeth remaining, he uses removable partial dentures. Sometimes Dr. Garvey uses bridgework instead of dentures when only a few consecutive teeth are missing. Dental implants can also replace individual teeth, and in some cases, dental implants can support dentures and help them stay securely in place.

How do I know if I need dentures?

The older you get, the more likely it is that you will need partial or complete dentures. The main signs that you need dentures include:

Severe toothache

A severe, persistent toothache can mean that decay has reached the root and nerve of your tooth. Root canal surgery can sometimes save a tooth once the root has become decayed, but many people choose not to undergo surgery if the decay is widespread and more teeth might need replacement.

Red and swollen gums

Red, swollen, sensitive gums are a sign of gum disease and gingivitis, serious conditions that can cause decay to the teeth and underlying bone.

Loose or moving teeth

If your teeth move or shift in your mouth, that’s a sign that decay or gum disease is present and could make dentures necessary. Watch for widening gaps between teeth as well, and see Dr. Garvey if you notice this.

Difficulty chewing and digesting

If you have pain when chewing, it could be a sign that your teeth are not healthy and strong. Painful chewing can often indicate serious damage to the teeth, and chronic indigestion can be another sign that you are not able to chew your food properly.

Missing teeth

If you are already missing one or more teeth, find out if dentures are an option for you as soon as possible. Missing teeth can cause your remaining teeth to shift out of place over time, and the extra stress that these remaining teeth have to bear can cause long-term damage.

It’s common for these symptoms to appear slowly and get progressively worse. While it’s difficult to avoid dentures forever, good oral hygiene can help your natural teeth last far longer than they would otherwise.

Do dentures make it difficult to speak or eat?

It may take some time to get used to your new dentures, but once you do get used to them they should make it easier to speak and to talk. When you first get your dentures, start by eating soft foods that you can cut into small pieces. The more you get used to your dentures, the more foods you can add back to your diet. Extremely sticky or hard foods could damage your dentures, but, after a little practice, you can otherwise eat anything you would normally.

Properly fitted dentures should make speech easy, but you may have trouble saying certain words at first. However, once you get used to your dentures and have had some practice, you should be able to speak comfortably. If your dentures click or move during speech, they need to be adjusted; so tell Dr. Garvey.

If you think dentures could help you or if you have any questions, call the office today or make an appointment online.