From medical conditions to the natural aging process, there are plenty of reasons why you might find yourself with missing teeth. If you are missing some of the teeth in your jaw, then removable partial dentures might be the best solution to improve your health and your smile.
What Are Partial Dentures?
Partial dentures are common, affordable and non-invasive medical devices that are designed to address the struggles created by missing teeth. If you have missing teeth, you might have noticed the following changes:
- Loss of jaw bone and gum tissue
- Shifting teeth
- Changes in physical appearance
- Difficulty chewing and eating
- Speech difficulties
- Lower self-esteem as the result of the above
When you have missing teeth, it is very likely that the bite pressure in your mouth will shift, and your other teeth are likely to overcompensate, leading to long-term damage to your bite, gum tissue and jaw bone. Over time, these problems will likely get worse, and could even cause permanent and irreversible damage/changes.
To avoid any long-term problems, you should speak to a denturist as quickly as possible to find the right treatment option. One of the more common solutions to missing teeth is to have comfortable, affordable dentures inserted.
After your removable partial dentures are inserted, you will likely notice increased comfort and a revitalized appearance. We will begin the process by creating a mold custom-fit to your mouth, and designing your dentures based on this mold. Partial dentures are made from multiple materials, including metal and acrylic. These materials allow removable partial dentures to be strong and sturdy will also having a natural feel and appearance. Certain partial dentures will be made primarily from acrylic rather than metal, although this option might be less structurally sound and durable.
While wearing partial dentures, the structure of your mouth will remain active, supported and engaged throughout the day. This might include your jaw, face, gums, muscles on the face. You could notice changes in your appearance and improved self-esteem as a result.
Every year, thousands of adults improve their health and confidence through dentures, and you could be next.
Partial Dentures Vs. Complete Dentures
Although removable partial dentures are popular denture options, they will not be appropriate for every patient. If you are missing all or most of your teeth, you might need complete dentures. Complete dentures are designed to replicate an entire set of teeth, whereas removable partial dentures are designed for people with only a few of their teeth missing.
Although it is always best to keep natural teeth whenever possible, this is unfortunately not always a viable option. In certain cases, patients will need some or all of their remaining teeth removed before inserting dentures.
If most of the teeth in your jaws are missing, an extraction of the remaining teeth and insertion of a complete denture might be the right option for you. If you are unsure as to whether partial or complete dentures will be the best option for you, book an appointment and we will discuss your options.
Caring For Your Dentures
Your dentures will require daily upkeep. Luckily, it is not very hard to keep your dentures clean and cared for. Cleaning your dentures is a simple process that is vital to ensure that tiny food particles do not build up and cause infections or other health problems.
Unless your denturist suggests otherwise, you should remove your dentures at night to sleep. This offers your jaw and gums some time to rest, while also providing a perfect opportunity to clean your dentures. You can eat with your dentures in, although some patients find this will take a bit of time to get used to.
We recommend focusing on soft or liquid foods when you first get your dentures in, and with time start to incorporate your favourite foods. We also recommend staying clear of very hard, chewy and crunchy foods, or limit their consumption.
If you notice any damages or signs of wear and tear, we never suggest trying to fix the issue by yourself. It is unlikely you will be able to repair the damages on your own, and you could even damage your dentures further or jeopardize your health.
Patients rarely find it difficult to adjust to this process, and virtually everyone finds the upkeep worth the benefits of a beautiful smile and functional, healthy jaw.
Cost of Partial Dentures
We provide a wide range of affordable dentures, including partial dentures. The cost of dentures will vary based on your unique needs, whether you require Acrylic Partial, Cast Partial or complete Flexible Partial dentures,To discuss the cost and to begin the process of creating comfortable and affordable dentures, book an appointment with us today.
FAQ about Partial Dentures
-
How much is a flexible partial denture?
The cost of a flexible partial denture will depend on a number of factors.
One of the first things to consider before receiving dentures (partial or otherwise) is whether or not tooth extractions will be necessary. In some cases, patients come into our office who have already been struggling with missing teeth. In other circumstances, patients will need to remove teeth before getting dentures.
How much you will pay out-of-pocket for dentures will also depend on multiple factors. Please email us or visit our two clinics in Fergus and Waterloo
Ultimately, every patient has different needs, and for that reason, every patient’s dentures may cost a different amount.
You can book an appointment with us today to discuss your health needs, the denture options that are right for you, and the costs associated with dentures.
-
Is a flipper the same as a partial denture?
A flipper denture is a form of temporary partial denture that can help improve your oral health, appearance and self confidence.
Dental flippers are created from a mold of your mouth, and are used to fill the gaps from teeth missing due to injuries or decay. They are designed to resemble your teeth and gums as closely as possible, offering a natural appearance.
On top of improving your appearance, flippers can help prevent other teeth in your mouth from shifting. In some cases, flippers will include metal clasps (similar to a retainer) that attach to your existing teeth and help keep your dentures in place.
Dental flippers offer patients a number of benefits, including the fact that they can be made quickly, and can even be created before an extraction surgery. This would mean that you can walk out of your surgery with dentures, which can help the healing process.
In many cases, flippers are the most affordable options for partial dentures. However, you must speak to your dentist about which partial denture is best for your needs. If you are interested in partial dentures, including flippers, you can book a consultation with us today.
-
Can I get my teeth pulled and dentures in the same day?
In many cases, yes.
If you need to have teeth extracted, it is possible to create a temporary partial denture before your surgery, allowing you to leave the dentist with a denture created and ready to go.
There are many benefits associated with immediate dentures, one of them being a faster and easier healing process. However, immediate dentures often require more maintenance and adjustments following your surgery.
When you wait until after your extraction surgery to get dentures, you might be waiting a long time for your jaw to heal and your dentures to be created. The benefit of this is that your dentist will be able to see how your mouth has healed and create a very accurate denture.
With immediate dentures, your mouth might heal in unpredictable ways, so it is normal to have small adjustments made after your surgery.
Your dentist can help you decide whether immediate dentures are the best option for you. Immediate dentures may be a more expensive option, and might not be right for the health needs of every patient, but in many cases, they can offer patients a beautiful smile without a long wait.
-
Is it OK to sleep with partial dentures?
In general, you should be taking out your dentures while you sleep. There are two main benefits to this: benefits for your jaw and your hygiene.
When you take out your dentures, it gives your gums and remaining teeth the opportunity to rest and heal. Additionally, it makes it easier for you incorporate cleaning your dentures into your daily routine.
Bacteria and food can easily build-up in your dentures, so it is important to keep them clean. When taking them out every night, you are creating a routine of cleaning your dentures and caring for your oral hygiene.
However, if you wake up one morning and realize you have forgotten to remove your dentures, there is no reason to panic. As long as you continue to care for dentures and keep them clean, it should not be a problem.
Additionally, many patients should keep their dentures on at all times when they first get them. This allows the dentures to act as a bandage for your mouth post-surgery, blocking out infection and helping your jaw heal around your dentures, rather than against them.
Your dentist can help you learn more about caring for your dentures, and how long you should be keeping them on immediately after getting them.
-
How long will new dentures hurt?
Every patient is different, and will adjust to their new dentures at a different pace.
The amount of discomfort you experience after your dentures are put in will depend on whether you needed an extraction srugery, the type of dentures you have, and many other complex factors.
Some lucky patients will even experience next to no discomfort after getting their dentures in.
If you are not among those lucky patients, it is normal for your gums to feel sore and tender as your mouth adjusts. You might experience this soreness for a couple of weeks after you first get your dentures put in.
If you notice the following the issues, you should call us as soon as possible:
- It feels as though your dentures do not fit properly
- You struggle to remove your dentures or put them back into your mouth
- The pain is sharp and makes it hard to go about your daily life
- The soreness is persisting for a long time
Any of these signs could signal that something is wrong. Adjusting to dentures can be somewhat uncomfortable and sore, but should not be incredibly painful.
-
Do dentures ever feel normal?
It might feel like a huge adjustment when you first get them, but with time, your dentures will allow you to live as normally as you did before losing your teeth.
When you first get your dentures, there might be a few setbacks: you may notice some gum soreness, you may need to eat softer foods, and you might struggle to get into a routine of removing and cleaning your dentures regularly.
All of these challenges should subside with time. Once your mouth adjusts, you will notice that you can eat and speak easier than you could with missing teeth. You will also notice that your appearance and smile has improved as well.
If you are finding it very difficult to adjust to dentures, give us a call. We can make sure everything is properly fitted, and offer advice to help you maintain your dentures, eat with them in and more.
Overall, life with dentures is closer to life with a full set of teeth than life with missing teeth is. With time and patience, dentures will become your new normal– and that’s a good thing!
-
How long does it take to get used to wearing dentures?
This will be different for every patient.
In many cases, patients feel comfortable with their dentures after just a few weeks. However, some patients will take a longer or shorter period of time to get to this point. The kind of dentures you have might impact your adjustment period, as well as whether you underwent an extraction surgery before getting them.
For example, patients who already had missing teeth for a long time might simply feel relieved to have dentures that feel like real teeth again. Patients who had their teeth removed in preperation for dentures might take a longer period to adjust.
Additionally, immediate dentures often require more adjustments and check-ups in the weeks after getting them, so this might impact how long it takes to get used to wearing them.
One way to speed up the adjustment process is to listen carefully to your dentist’s instructions and advice. They can help you develop a routine to keep your dentures clean, help you learn how to remove and re-insert them, and help you learn to eat and speak with them in.
If something feels wrong even after weeks of having your dentures, you should book an appointment with us as soon as possible.
-
Can I have all my teeth pulled and get dentures?
Yes, you can get dentures with all of your teeth pulled.
Dentures can be full or partial– full dentures replace all of teeth on your upper or lower jaw, and partial replace specific teeth that have been removed.
Just like with partial dentures, full dentures are easily removable, and are held in place with suction or an adhesive.
Implant dentures are also a common option for patients who have all of their natural teeth missing, or need to have them all removed. Implant dentures are held in place with the help of small implants that your dentist will surgically attach to your mouth.start
Implant dentures are often the more expensive option for full dentures, but can increase comfort and keep your dentures in place better.
If you have some missing teeth, you might believe you will need to have all remaining teeth extracted before getting dentures. This is not true. Your oral surgeon will determine whether partial dentures are the best choice for you, or whether your remaining teeth will need to removed for your health.
-
Can you eat with flipper teeth?
You can absolutely eat with dental flippers!
In fact, one of the biggest benefits that patients notice after receiving their dental flippers is a renewed sense of independence, including the ability to eat easier again.
When we lose teeth, our ability to chew and eat properly is significantly impacted. Many people with missing teeth might describe eating difficulties as one of the primary reasons that they want to use dentures.
In certain cases, it may even be dangerous to eat without dentures– if you cannot properly chew your food, every bite could become a choking hazard.
With dental flippers, many patients are able to eat and chew as they normally would before losing teeth. That being said, you might find certain foods (such as very chewy or crunchy foods) harder to eat.
Over time, many patients will figure out which foods they can enjoy best with dentures, and eating will become easier with time.
If you are struggling to eat even weeks after getting your dentures, you should call your dentist. They can make sure there are no issues with your dentures, and offer you advice to help make eating as simple and comfortable as possible.
-
Can you eat with partial dentures?
Yes, you can eat with partial dentures.
Missing teeth can make enjoying your favourite foods a challenge. As a matter of fact, some people are putting themselves at risk by eating with missing teeth. If you cannot chew your food properly, you may be at risk for choking.
Eating with partial dentures might take a bit of time to get used to. However, once you are used to it, you will almost certainly find it easier to eat than with missing teeth.
Some tips for eating with new dentures include:
- Start with softer foods
- Slowly add your favourite chewy and crunchy foods– instead of switching to your old diet as soon as your mouth heals, add foods one by one to see which foods you struggle with the most (and stick to a mainly soft food diet in general, with only a few dentist-approved harder foods being introduced)
- Make sure you are taking your dentures out at night and cleaning them to avoid a build-up of food
- Take your time while eating to prevent choking or swallowing improperly chewed food
- Talk to your dentist if you notice long-lasting soreness or struggles with chewing