If you’re considering dentures, it’s normal to have a lot of questions. From how they look and feel to how long they last, there’s a lot to think about before you can make a decision. By speaking with trusted dentists in Miami, you can get personalized advice based on your individual needs. Read on to find answers to some of the most common questions about dentures in Miami.
What are dentures?
Dentures are oral appliances designed to replace missing teeth and their surrounding tissues.1 They’re typically made from acrylic resin (a type of plastic), metal, or porcelain.2 Acrylic resin is the most popular, as it’s a strong, affordable, and lightweight material that can be easily customized to provide a natural look.3
What are the types of dentures?
There are different types of dentures your dentist might recommend, depending on how many teeth you’re missing and your overall oral health:
- Immediate dentures are a temporary set of dentures (most commonly used after a tooth extraction while your mouth heals, and while customized dentures are being created).4
- Partial dentures hook around your remaining natural teeth.
- Full dentures fit over your gums and replace a full arch of teeth.
- Implant-retained dentures attach to implants in your mouth and are removable.
- Implant-supported dentures are permanently attached to the implants in your mouth.
What are the pros and cons of dentures?
Like any tooth replacement solution, dentures come with pros and cons:
Pros:
- Makes speaking and eating easier
- Fills out your face and enhances your appearance
- Improves emotional and social well-being5
Cons:
- Can feel awkward, loose, or cause irritation, especially in the beginning6
- Requires more effort to clean compared to other teeth replacement solutions
- Traditional dentures don’t prevent bone loss
How long does it take to get used to wearing dentures?
Modern dentures have a much more accurate fit than in the past due to computer-aided design.7 This way, dentists can take a digital scan of your mouth and manufacture custom dentures unique to you.8 Even so, it can take a few weeks to get used to wearing dentures.9
How noticeable are dentures?
Although many people are concerned about how dentures will affect their appearance, most people won’t even realize you’re wearing them.10 Once you are used to holding your dentures in place, your dentures shouldn’t slip out of position.11 If you notice that it continues to happen, visit your dentist to see if your dentures need to have the fit adjusted.
Can I sleep in dentures?
Unless you’re using implant-supported dentures, your dentures are removable and should be taken out before bedtime. This allows your gums to rest during the night and keeps your mouth healthy.12 Follow your dentist’s instructions, as sometimes in the beginning, dentists advise you to wear dentures also while you sleep to help your mouth get used to them.
How to clean your dentures?
To keep your dentures pearly white and your mouth healthy, you need to clean them every day. After eating, make sure to remove and rinse your dentures to keep them free from stains and remove any food particles that might have become lodged.13 Clean your mouth with a soft-bristle toothbrush, and if you use dental adhesive, remove any that might be remaining on your gums. Once per day, brush your dentures using a denture cleanser and soak them in water or a denture cleanser overnight. Don’t forget to rinse your dentures in the morning before putting them back in your mouth.
How long do dentures last?
The average denture lifespan is between seven and ten years. Reasons to change your dentures could be because they became stained from insufficient cleaning, because your remaining natural teeth (if you’re using partial dentures) have shifted, or because you’ve experienced bone loss in your jaw, causing your dentures to become loose, click, or feel uncomfortable.14
How much do dentures cost?
The price of dentures varies as it depends on your individual needs, such as the type of dentures you need, the materials used, and how much customization is required. If you need other procedures, such as a tooth extraction beforehand, then that will also affect the cost of your treatment.
The bottom line
Dentures are a reliable way to restore your smile, but whether they are the right option for you depends on your individual needs and oral health. Now that you’ve learned what dentures are, the different types, how long they last, and how to care for them, the next step is a visit with your local dental professional. Searching for “a dentist near me” online is a simple way to find trusted dentists in your area and determine whether dentures are the right tooth replacement solution for you.
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