FAQs About Dentures

Everything You'd Ever Need to Know About Dentures! 

What are dentures?

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth. There are two main types of dentures: full dentures and partial dentures. Full dentures are used when all the teeth are missing while partial dentures are used when some natural, healthy teeth remain. 

Does insurance cover the cost? 

Many dental insurance companies pay for a portion of the cost of dentures. Since all insurances are different it’s important to check with your carrier to find out what they will cover.  We also offer financing for patients without dental insurance. 

Will my dentures need to be replaced?

Dentures will need to be relined, rebased or remade over time due to normal wear and tear. It’s important to replace severely worn or ill-fitting dentures before they cause problems such as sores and infections. 

What do dentures feel like?

At first, a new denture will probably feel slightly awkward and loose while your cheek and tongue muscles learn to keep the dentures in place. It only takes a few weeks before you become fully accustomed to your new dentures. It is also very common to feel irritation or soreness at first, if these problems persist you should revisit your dentist.  An overdenture will never feel loose or move around your mouth and may be the best option to solve discomfort.

Can I eat while wearing dentures?

Yes! Learning to eat with your dentures will take some practice- you should start with soft foods cut into small pieces and chew slowly. You will always have to be careful of very hard foods and hot food and beverages. Many people who have trouble eating with full dentures find that an overdenture is the better option for them. 

How often should I visit my dentist? 

It is recommended that denture wearers visit the dentist once a year. 

Will they change how I look and speak? 

Like eating, speaking with dentures will need some practice. Properly fitting dentures will not alter your speech after you get used to wearing them. Your dentures will be made to very closely resemble your natural teeth and will not hinder your appearance or look fake or noticeable- they may even improve the look of your smile and profile! See the below pictures showing how dentures improve the look of your face and profile. People who do not replace their missing teeth tend to have a “sunken in” look and can greatly improve the look of their face by using dentures.  

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St. 

Norristown, PA 19403

www.drsethrosen.com

FAQs About Partial Dentures

All You'd Ever Need or Want to Know About Partial Dentures! 

What Is A Partial Denture? 

A partial denture is a removable device used to replace one or more missing teeth. Most partial dentures use clips or clasps to hold onto remaining teeth. Many times the teeth the partial denture is to be clipped to must be changed in minor ways to best allow this to happen. Most simply, a partial denture is a retainer with teeth added. 

What Is A Partial Denture Made Of? 

The retainer portion may be made out of metal, nylon, or acrylic. The teeth are plastic, which is much softer than your natural teeth, so care must be given to eating hard or crunchy foods. In fact, your diet may need to change based upon what foods you can chew well with your partial denture. 

Is It Permanent Or Temporary? 

In our office, a partial removable denture is seen as a temporary fix.  All partial dentures can cause future problems such as loosening of the teeth they are clipped to, wear on the teeth they are clipped to, gum soreness, and continued loss of jawbone. With this in mind we always recommend that a long term plan should be in place for the replacement of your missing teeth so that these problems can be avoided. 

How Long Can I Wear It? 

All partial dentures need to be removed after every meal, cleansed well, and should be left out at night to give your gums a rest. Failure to leave the partial out at night can cause infections and/or increase the rate at which the remaining teeth fail.

There are four main types of partial dentures in use today. We will make a recommendation as to which type we feel is a best fit for your particular situation.

Healing Partial 

A “healing partial” is constructed out of acrylic with acrylic teeth. The clips are thick wire that is bent around a few of the remaining teeth. We call this a “healing partial” because it is the best partial for us to use if we are going to remove teeth and need something to replace them immediately. This allows us to make sure that our patients never go without teeth. This is the least expensive option for a partial denture, but also the shortest expected usable lifespan. The acrylic base and teeth can stain and show wear within a few months and the clips tend to lose shape and hold.

Cast Metal Partial  

A custom cast frame is made from a mold of your remaining teeth. Many times the remaining teeth must be slightly modified to allow the casting to seat and hold properly.  After the cast frame has been made and we make sure that it fits well, we will re-send the partial to the lab to have the teeth added. The teeth are still acrylic, but the underlying metal makes everything much stronger and longer lived. This type of partial is a fantastic choice for many of our patients, but the trade off is aesthetics. In some instances the shiny metal of the framework may be seen. This design also tends to put a lot of force on the clasping teeth, so attention and care must be given to the remaining teeth.

Flexible Partial 

This type goes by many names, most commonly heard are Valplast, Flexite, or simply a flexible partial. It is constructed from nylon which is incredibly strong, yet flexible. Even the clips and clasps are made from nylon, which can be tooth colored or gum colored, so these tend to be very aesthetic because there is no metal. The teeth are also very hard which makes them last longer with less chance of breaking. The trade off is that these partials tend to be so flexible that they move around a little while chewing and can make the gums sore. Many of our patients find that a little bit of denture adhesive can help hold this type of partial well and alleviate gum soreness. This partial has one other huge drawback, it is not easily repaired. If anything changes in the mouth, for example if another tooth is lost, the partial will need to go to a special lab for repair which can take up to a week.

Hybrid 

A “hybrid” partial is a traditional cast metal partial with nylon clips, clasps, and teeth added. In most cases this gives exceptional fit without any aesthetic issues since the metal is hidden. The only drawback to this type of partial is that it is also difficult to repair. 

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St. 

Norristown, PA 19403

www.drsethrosen.com

Have Anxiety Over Visiting the Dentist?

Here's What You Need To Know About Dental Sedation

Have anxiety over visiting the dentist? You're not alone, and if you're struggling to make yourself visit the dentist for even simple routine cleanings then maybe you should consider sedation. Here's what you need to know: 

There are Different Levels of Sedation.
You don't have to be totally unconscious to reap the benefits of dental sedation. Many patients who fear the dentist also fear being completely out of control while sedated. Our office offers many options for sedation besides being completely knocked out. Oral sedation relaxes you while still giving you the ability to hear, understand, and respond. Our office provides Valium to patients who are nervous and wish to partake in oral sedation before a procedure. Nitrous oxide is also available as a form of dental sedation known "inhalation sedation". Just like oral sedation, you are relaxed while completely in control. Some patients liken the feeling of nitrous oxide to a glass of red wine. 

Your Insurance May Cover It.
Some dental insurances cover sedation during dental procedures, check with yours to see if they do! Even if not covered by your insurance, nitrous oxide and oral sedation are very affordable.

Sedation Can Be Used During Literally Any Dental Procedure.
If even the thought of going to the dentist makes you nervous then you still have the option of sedation during a routine cleaning or simple filling. Since dental sedation is completely safe it is beneficial for nervous patients to opt for nitrous oxide during any procedure, even routine cleanings, instead of avoiding the dentist completely. 

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen, DMD

2030 West Main Street, 

Norristown PA 19403

www.drsethrosen.com