Frequently Asked Question & Updated Information

Your mouth is unique, as is every mouth a denturist works with. Since no two are alike, there is no way one generic pattern or mould could be used to make anybody a denture. A denture is processed using a custom mould made of your mouth, and that mould is broken, removing the denture from it. The end product is handcrafted, and no two dentures are or even could be EXACTLY the same. Your denturist will discuss the techniques used with different qualities of materials that are available today, all variables involved in the quality and cost of producing your finished denture.

The manufacturers of denture materials available today cannot guarantee that those materials are unbreakable. They are designed to be break-resistant, but cannot be made totally indestructible. Under the right circumstances, any denture can be broken. We use the highest quality techniques to produce a denture that should last for several years with proper care. That care is not only in your mouth but also in your hands, including adjusting, relining or specific repair.

The simple answer is no since your dentures are an artificial appliance, and always wearing them could lead to fatigue problems in the living tissue structures of your mouth. We used to think the best way to get used to dentures was to wear them all the time, but we now know better. Just as you need to rest, so does your mouth, and the way to do that is by removing the dentures. Also, many people have an issue with clenching their teeth at night, which actually damages their teeth, and they need to wear an appliance themselves at night to protect their teeth. We now know that dentures should not be worn for some period during the day and night and that you should also gently brush your gums with a very soft toothbrush. This helps stimulate circulation and maintains healthy oral tissues.

Your dentures represent two halves of a whole appliance, not two single units. Sometimes the problem with one may actually relate to an issue with the other regarding fit, design or construction or due to changes that may be happening in your mouth. Your denturist needs to perform a thorough oral examination with your dentures in place to determine the nature of the problem you are experiencing.

Excessive wear on your teeth can indicate that the bite relationship of your dentures is becoming inaccurate. Relining will not correct this issue. It will only lead to better-fitting dentures that still do not come together properly. A thorough examination needs to be performed to determine the nature of the problem and suggest the proper solution for you.

No one who wears a denture should be biting foods with the front teeth. This generally causes soreness, especially on the lower denture, and can accelerate bone loss on the residual ridge, which makes future dentures harder to fit. Eat anything you like, when cut into bite-size pieces and placed into the mouth on a fork. Using all of your teeth to chew the food allows the dentures to do their job while persisting in biting with the front teeth will lead to soreness, which cannot be relieved by adjusting the dentures.

The structures of your mouth are constantly changing and are affected by many variables. The denture made for you today is not necessarily going to be the best fit for you after a few years of service. Not unlike glasses, where you may need to have a prescription changed to reflect changes in your eyes, dentures can be expected to provide service for 5 to 7 years, with proper periodic care.

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Your general health, including weight, tension, nutrition, blood pressure, the strength of your bite and even medications you are taking, can all influence the comfort and fit of your dentures. This means that your mouth and dentures should be checked at least once a year to monitor and correct those changes that may have taken place.