Caring for Your Dentures

Permanent teeth should be permanent with us, hence their name! However, some factors make us lose dental pieces during our lives.

Most Common Causes of Tooth Loss

Among the causes for tooth loss, we can find the following:

1. Poor oral hygiene – It is the most common one. Poor oral care leads to cavities and periodontal disease.
2. Dental trauma – Due to an accident, people can lose a dental piece. If you miss a tooth for a blow or a fall, we suggest you locate it, keep it in water or milk, and visit a dentist near you as soon as possible.
3. Periodontal disease – It is the infection of the tissues that support your teeth. Besides poor oral hygiene, you are at risk of developing it if you suffer from a chronic disease or take certain medications (like mental disorder ones).

If you are edentulous, you can visit our dentist in NW Calgary for replacement options. We offer a wide range of procedures. 

What are Dentures?

Among these, you can benefit from our dentures in NW Calgary. These are rows of fake teeth over an acrylic base, and if you have not lost all of them, you can opt for partial dentures.

The Procedure

If you are looking for dentures near you, here is what to expect:

1. The mold – Your dentist will take a mold of your teeth with putty for the dental technician to create the dentures.
2. Temporary dentures – Depending on the case, they will place temporary ones while the permanent ones are ready.
3. Fitting – In another appointment, they will evaluate the fitting. You will bite down, speak, and see how you feel.

It is a simple procedure and requires two appointments if the patient is fully edentulous. If they still have some damaged teeth, the dentist will extract them, and you will wait between one and two months before taking the mold. 

Implant-Supported Dentures

Implant-supported dentures, also called overdentures, are popular because they have better retention.

A dental implant is a small metal post that your dentist places inside your jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. It is the only device in dentistry that stops bone loss. 

If you are looking for overdentures, you require multiple appointments. In the first one, your doctor will evaluate your case, take pictures, x-rays, molds of your mouth (or scan it) to plan the treatment. They may prescribe a blood test.

In a second appointment, they will install the implants. With overdentures, they generally place four implants per arcade or six. You must wait for three to six months for osseointegration (when the bone and implant fuse). After this time, your doctor will expose the top of the implants and place a collar for healing. You will wear it for about two weeks.

Finally, they will replace the collar with regular abutments. Over them, your doctor will fix the dentures.

Overdentures are more expensive because you require dental implants, and each of them costs about $1,000. Weigh your wants and needs before deciding on a procedure. A dental professional will advise you on the best options according to your case.

Caring for Your Dentures

1. Brush your dentures – Whether they are removable or not, you must brush them daily. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and a mild soap. Toothpaste is too abrasive for them.
2. Soak your dentures – If they are removable, we suggest you soak them in a cleaning solution or water at night. It is advisable because, this way, you also give your mouth a break to prevent irritation.
3. Visit your dentist – In your regular checkups, your doctor will monitor everything is correct and give you tips for oral care.