New Dentures
Dentures
Dentures (false teeth) are a treatment option for the replacement of missing teeth and can broadly be divided into full dentures (that replace the patient’s entire dentition) or partial dentures (that replace a few strategic teeth). Notwithstanding modern advances in techniques and various modern treatment modalitiesm, full or partial dentures remain the treatment of choice for certain patients.
Stages In Denture-Making
Dentures are custom-made medical appliances and their construction involves a number of stages. Normally, this will involve a minimum of four visits, with one week in between visits. In certain cases (such as in the construction of cobalt-chromium or flexible dentures) the time required in between visits is longer, due to the increased processing time.
Stages in Denture Construction
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Primary impressions
An impression of the patient's teeth and/or gums is taken and sent to the laboratory for casting and the construciton of custom-made impression trays. A set of wax bite registration rims are also constructed.
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Secondary Impressions & Bite Registration
More accurate impressions of the teeth and/or gums are taken and the patient's jaw relationship is recorded
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Secondary Impressions & Bite Registration
More accurate impressions of the teeth and/or gums are taken and the patient's jaw relationship is recorded
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Secondary Impressions & Bite Registration
More accurate impressions of the teeth and/or gums are taken and the patient's jaw relationship is recorded
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Try-In Stage
A model of the patient's dentures are made out of wax. This mock-up is tried in to ensure that the new dentures will be satisfactory from both a functional an aesthetic perspective
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Fit Stage
The finished dentures are fitted and minor adjustments are made as required
Denture Hygiene Tips
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Take your dentures out every night and scrub them with an appropriate denture paste over a half-filled basin, using a soft denture brush. Avoid cleaning them over an empty washbasin, as dentures could break if they are dropped onto a hard surface.
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Do not use ordinary toothpaste. Make sure you pay special attention not to bend any metal clasps that may be located on the denture. Make sure that the relatively rough fitting surface of the denture and the sides of the teeth are brushed thoroughly to remove any visible food debris and plaque
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Put your dentures in disinfectant solution for no more than 10 minutes and keep them in fresh water overnight. Do not use hot water, as this can eventually ruin the denture acrylic
Soft-Based Dentures
Dentures (usually lower dentures) having a soft silicone or soft acrylic base will need more thorough cleaning due to the textured soft surface. Soft surfaces can eventually get colonised by a fungus, which can be observed as a thick white plaque that is very hard to remove from the denture surface. In such cases, the lining may need to be refreshed. Under normal circumstances a soft denture base should last around 24 months. Do not leave soft-based dentures to soak in denture cleaner