Depending on your situation, our dentist in Sun City West may suggest either a full or partial denture. Partial dentures are strategically designed to fill the gaps along your arch by fitting seamlessly between any remaining teeth. Full dentures are made to replace an entire arch of teeth by utilizing natural suction and denture adhesive. Both are customized to fit your oral structure comfortably, all while looking completely natural.
Caring for your dentures properly will extend their lifespan, but it will also help you stay healthy and comfortable. Take care of your prosthesis by following these steps:
Rinse your denture with cool water after eating (don’t use hot water because it can permanently warp the plastic).
Handle your dentures carefully—place towels on the sink and/or ground to break the fall if you accidentally drop your prosthesis.
Clean your mouth after removing your dentures.
Brush your dentures with a soft-bristled toothbrush at least once a day.
Soak your prosthesis in denture soaking solution overnight to give your gums a break and prevent your smile from drying out.
Rinse your dentures with water before putting them back in your mouth.
Maintain regular denture checkups by visiting our office as recommended.
Avoid exposing your dentures to excess heat or letting them dry out.
Here at Arizona Smile Design, we want all of our patients to be as prepared as possible for the future. When you’re getting dentures, you should know exactly what to expect moving forward. That’s why we want to clear up any doubts you might have well ahead of time. Please review the section below for the answers to some of the questions that patients often ask about dentures. If there’s anything else you want to know, you can ask during your first consultation!
The normal waiting time is between six to eight weeks. This is because generally any remaining teeth have to be removed before dentures can be placed, and as such the gums will need a chance to heal. Also, it gives us a bit more time to make sure the dentures fit properly in the long term; if they were placed right away, they might not have the same fit once the underlying bone and gums heal. Each patient is in a different situation, and some mouths recover faster than others. We’ll give you our best estimate based on the situation.
You’ll need to sleep with your dentures during the first 24 hours of wearing them, but past that it’s not really a good idea to take your false teeth to bed. The pressure from dentures can cut off blood circulation in your mouth, and that can accelerate the bone resorption that normally occurs after bone loss. Also, bacteria has a tendency to accumulate in the space underneath dentures, which can increase your risk for pneumonia if you don’t take them out regularly. Wearing dentures at night is also associated with poor oral hygiene and higher levels of plaque in the mouth. In short, it’s better to take your dentures out every evening.
You’ll be able to enjoy many more foods with dentures than you would without teeth, but there are certain snacks and meals that you should be cautious of. Peanut butter and other sticky foods are famous for pulling dentures out of place, and hard foods like nuts and corn on the cob could easily damage them. Steak, pork chops, and other tough meats should be cut into very small pieces to minimize the amount of chewing that they require.
We will give you an estimate during your first consultation after we’ve examined your mouth and gotten a better idea of what your oral health is like overall. The final cost can vary based on:
How many teeth, if any, need to be removed and how complex the procedure for removing them is.
Whether you are getting full dentures or partial dentures.
Whether you choose to get dentures that are supported by dental implants.
Whether you have dental insurance and how much coverage is available for false teeth.