Denture Comfort

Questions About Dentures and Atlas Denture Comfort™

1. Who is a candidate for Atlas Denture Comfort™?
2. Is the procedure painful?
3. Will Atlas Denture Comfort™ stop my gums from resorbing?
4. Will my insurance cover the procedure?
5. Why is Atlas Denture Comfort™ less expensive than other implant procedures?
6. What is the healing time?
7. Will I be able to eat normal foods again?
8. Should I remove my dentures at night?
9. How should I clean my dentures?
10. Can I place my dentures in boiling water to clean and sterilize them?
11. Besides cleaning my dentures, what else can I do for oral care?
12. Do I need adhesives to hold my dentures in place?
13. If my dentures break, what should I do?
14. Is there any relationship between dentures and oral cancer?
15. Can any medications affect the fit of my dentures?
16. How often should my denture be replaced?
17. What is an immediate denture?
18. What is an overdenture?
19. What is an implant-retained denture?
20. How can I find a dentist who uses Atlas Denture Comfort™?

1. Who is a candidate for Atlas Denture Comfort™?
A large majority of denture wearers or those who will need dentures shortly are candidates for Atlas Denture Comfort™. Eight out of ten denture wearers have problems with their dentures.

2. Is the procedure painful?
Local anesthetic is used during the short procedure and the gum tissue does not have to be cut open and sutured up. So it is relatively noninvasive and the patient will have no pain during the procedure and about a day of soreness.

3. Will Atlas Denture Comfort™ stop my gums from resorbing?
Yes. Bone resorption slows down when teeth or implants stimulate the bone appropriately and when the denture with hard acrylic does not continually move around and press against the gums to cause sore spots.

4. Will my insurance cover the procedure?
Some insurance companies cover implants, but most do not. Dentures and relines are usually covered. Your insurance policy should be reviewed to see what is actually covered.

5. Why is Atlas Denture Comfort™ less expensive than other implant procedures?
This is made possible by both the surgical and prosthetic protocols. Similar techniques with traditional implants involve two stages of surgery and an extended healing period. Atlas Denture Comfort™ completes the minimally invasive surgery in less than a half hour. Since fewer components are necessary to reline and attach the denture, this significant cost-savings can be passed on to the patient.

6. What is the healing time?
Since this is a noninvasive procedure (flapless, nonsurgical), there is no actual healing time. After the procedure, the implants are immediately affixed to the denture. You may wish to allow the gum tissue to adjust for a few hours. Normal functions can be resumed within hours of the procedure.

7. Will I be able to eat normal foods again?
Yes. There will be excellent retention of the denture by the implant. Most patients will be able to eat normal foods within a day or two.

8. Should I remove my dentures at night?
Traditionally, patients have been instructed to remove their dentures every night and place them in a container of water by their bed to allow their gum tissue to rest. However, with Atlas Denture Comfort™, the non-porous silicone liner installed on your denture grips around previously installed ultra-small dental implants to retain your denture and cushion the “gummy” ridge. Patients who have taken advantage of this procedure, do not have to remove their dentures at night at all.

9. How should I clean my dentures?
A denture should be cleaned two to three times a day to prevent accumulation of plaque, calculus [tartar] and stains. First, rinse away loose food particles with running sink water. Using a soft nylon brush with denture toothpaste or cleaners, scrub all surfaces gently [dentures may break if dropped on a hard surface; brush over a water-filled sink or a towel]. To prevent a build-up of odors caused by absorption of fluids or bacteria, or to remove deeper stains from the acrylic, soak your dentures in a denture-cleaner solution for 30 minutes each day. Rinse off with water.

10. Can I place my dentures in boiling water to clean and sterilize them?
No, absolutely not! Your dentures will warp and no longer fit properly. If your dentures must be left out of your mouth, be sure to keep them moist in room temperature water.

11. Besides cleaning my dentures, what else can I do for oral home care?
Each time you remove your dentures for cleaning, use a clean finger or toothbrush to massage your upper and lower gums to stimulate circulation in those areas. Brush your tongue and palate every morning with a soft nylon bristle brush. There are also tongue-cleaning instruments that may be purchased at the local pharmacy.

12. Do I need adhesives to hold my dentures in place?
Many patients need denture adhesives, especially when their gums and bone have receded. These adhesives are usually messy and create “living quarters” for bacteria. Atlas Denture Comfort™ utilizes ultra-narrow dental implants instead, which provide denture retention and stabilization without the use of adhesives. If you can only retain your denture with the use of adhesives, it’s time to see your dentist.

13. If my dentures break, what should I do?
Wrap them in a moist tissue and call your dentist immediately. Don’t try to repair the dentures yourself. Dentures can usually be quickly repaired at the dental office and then professionally adjusted so that additional oral health problems are not created.

14. Is there any relationship between dentures and oral cancer?
Loose dentures can cause sore spots from the rubbing of the acrylic against your gums, and may become infected and painful. These chronic irritations, if left untreated, could develop into oral cancer. Denture wearers should have an oral cancer screening performed by their dentist once a year. For more information on oral cancer, click here.

15. Can any medications affect the fit of my dentures?
Yes. Adequate saliva is extremely important to denture wearers. It prevents irritation of the gum by lubricating the soft tissue that comes in contact with the denture base and it increases the suction between the acrylic and the gum for greater retention. There are more than 500 medications that can cause a dry mouth by reducing saliva production-these include blood pressure medications, decongestants, anti-depressants, and others. Be sure to inform your dentist of all the medications you are taking and ask for some alternative treatment recommendations to manage your dry mouth. For more information on dentures and dry mouth, click here.

16. How often should my denture be replaced?
While well-made dentures are very durable, they are not indestructible and will not last forever. Good care will extend their life and maintain their appearance. You should have your dentist check them once a year and perform an oral cancer screening. It is common to have your dentures relined with acrylic if your gums and bone shrink, causing a space between the denture base and your ridge of soft tissue (gums). On average, most dentures are replaced between 4-8 years, from a combination of factors– wear and deterioration of the denture materials and changes that occur in the denture wearer’s jaw. To read more about denture facts, click here.

17. What is an immediate denture?
This is a denture that is constructed on a model made from an impression of your mouth prior to having your remaining teeth removed. It is placed into your mouth over the extraction sites immediately after the teeth are removed, so you never have to be without teeth. However, since the shape of your gummy “ridges” will change during the healing process, the denture will need to be relined and adjusted for several months after their insertion.

18. What is an overdenture?
This is a denture that may be removable, partial or complete which may be implant-supported or implant-tissue supported. The prosthesis is retained by attachments.

19. What is an implant-retained denture?
This is a denture that rests on dental implants that have been installed in a patient’s jaw. This lends support, retention and stabilization to your denture.

20. How can I find a dentist who uses Atlas Denture Comfort™?
To find a qualified dentist in your area, click here.