Complete and Partial Dentures in Erie, PA

An overdenture is a removable denture that is used in events when some of a patient's natural teeth or implants can be preserved, fitting over the remaining structures. Your dentist will be able to decide whether you satisfy the conditions for overdentures. 

Dentures feel a bit strange at first, as the muscles of the tongue and cheek have to adjust to the responsibility of keeping them in place.

Many patients temporarily experience minor irritation or soreness and increased flow of saliva, but these tend to go away in time. Your dentist will schedule one or more follow-up appointments with you to ensure everything is fitting properly and comfortably. 

Dentures will not change your appearance — in fact, they may improve it, filling out your smile and the shape of your face and profile.

It is not difficult to eat dentures once you get used to them, but you'll need a little practice and to take things gradually. It's recommended that you start with softer foods and smaller bites before progressing to your full diet. Chew using both sides of the mouth at the same time, and be wary of hot and hard foods, especially those with sharp-edged bones or shells. 

Speaking normally with dentures also will require a little getting used to. If you're having trouble pronouncing certain words, it's beneficial to read them out loud and repeat them until they become natural again. If you find that your dentures "click" in the midst of speaking, slow it down.

Sometimes, dentures slip when you laugh, cough, or smile. Gently bite down and swallow to reposition them. If you have persistent speech issues, don't hesitate to contact your dentist.

At first, yes, you will have to wear your dentures all or most of the time. But after your mouth adjusts to wearing them, you can generally remove them before going to bed — and with a clear conscience! While you sleep, your gum tissues are able to take a break, and circulation within the mouth is improved.

You should bother with denture adhesives if you have a well-fitted pair of dentures, as they aid with retention of the appliance. However, adhesive cannot compensate for older, poorly fitting dentures. If your dentures are constantly loose and causing chronic or pronounced discomfort, promptly contact your dentist, as your dentures may need a reline or to be replaced entirely. 

Taking proper care of your dentures requires several steps and precautions.

1. Handle them in front of a folded towel or a basin of water, as they are very fragile and can break if they fall even just a few inches.
2. Store them in water or a denture cleanser with the ADA Seal of Acceptance when not in use, away from children or pets. 
3. Brush thoroughly each day to clear away food deposits and plaque, which can permanently stain your dentures. Gently scrub every surface with a soft-bristled toothbrush designed for cleaning dentures, as hard bristles can scratch and damage them. Ultrasonic cleaners should be considered supplemental to, and not a replacement for a thorough brushing
4. Hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid can be used for cleaning dentures, but stay away from abrasive powdered household cleaners and bleach. 

You should not make your own adjustments or repairs to your dentures, as you can seriously damage the appliance and, in turn, your oral health. Ill-fitting dentures can cause irritation and sores, and that infection can potentially spread elsewhere.

If your dentures break, crack, or chip, or one of the false teeth becomes loose, schedule an appointment with your dentist. Your dentist has the proper tools and training to make necessary repairs and adjustments — often within the span of a single visit — to get those dentures restored and fitting properly again.

Over time, yes, your dentures will need to be replaced due to wear, and the fact that the mouth naturally changes with age, affecting the alignment of the jaw. But before totally remaking your dentures, your dentist may try relining or rebasing them. In this technique, the dentist will keep the existing denture teeth but adjust or remake the denture base those teeth fit into.