…Dentures Don’t Last Forever. Yes. Denture material is hard and durable, but dentures are no more permanent than eyeglasses. They need to be replaced at certain intervals. They may break if dropped. Even with meticulous care, the natural appearance of denture teeth may change with diet, chewing and age. Several factors could modify the way your dentures fit.
Your jawbone and gums may shrink. If the dentures are allowed to dry out for an extended period, they can change shape. If dentures are placed in boiling or very hot water, they can warp and no longer fit. If a gap develops between the denture and the gummy ridge, the denture may need repeated relines. Shrinkage of the bone and gums can be minimized or prevented with a proven technique. Click here to learn more about implant-retained dentures. [link this to “How it works.”]
…Denture Wearers Should Visit a Dentist Regularly – Just because you no longer have teeth that doesn’t mean you can no longer have problems. Your dentist needs to assess your oral conditions, and this should be done twice a year. You should receive an oral cancer screening, and the dentist can check for other systemic diseases, such as diabetes, that may show up in the mouth. Over time, changes in your jaws and/or face affect the fit of your dentures or cause irritations or infections. Some medications that you may be taking for high blood pressure or chest pain can cause an overgrowth or enlargement of gum tissue and affect the way your dentures fit. Your dentist may also review your medical history and medications as part of the examination. Odors, calculus [tartar] and heavy stains can be professionally removed by the dentist or the hygienist.
…Dentures can Appear Natural Looking – Some people are embarrassed by the “tell-tale” signs of a person wearing a denture [“plate”] because of the slipping or clicking of their dentures or their flat, worn teeth. Denture wearers should be able to speaking normally and eat without their dentures popping out of their mouths. Not only can dentures be constructed to look cosmetically pleasing and natural, but dentures may actually make a person look younger. The red plastic “gum” of your dentures may increase the fullness of your face and support your facial muscles so that aging lines and wrinkles are minimized. Stability and retention are critical to these factors.