What Denture Wearers should and need to know
Dentures last from 5-10 years
First-time denture wearer? Had them before but are not happy with your original set? The world of dentures and tooth replacement isn’t always as clear and straightforward as you need it to be. Read this guide to discover how to get used to fake teeth and your alternative options that don’t necessarily break the bank.
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When it comes to dentures, the talk can be quite negative. Suddenly, you’re faced with all the things you cannot do, and a life of limitations rolls out in front of you like a red carpet.
As dentists, we know dentures have problems, but we also understand that certain patients on a budget might feel forced into the decision. If this is the case, discover different ways to pay.
What it’s really like living with dentures?
- Conventional dentures rely on suction to stay in place (not always the reliable option). The other alternative is to be held in place using dental adhesives.
- The inability to no longer eat hard or chewy foods. Diet restriction can also cause further health problems.
- As dentures are removable, they cause movement and are less convenient than fixed implant solutions that stay in like natural teeth.
- False plastic teeth can feel unnatural, not to mention uncomfortable causing a gag reflex in some patients.
- Dentures require a special, time-consuming daily cleaning routine, which requires you to keep taking out your dentures, reminding you of your absent smile.
- Dentures can become ill-fitting, which impairs speech causing slurs, lisps and sores.
- Dentures take around five years to show considerable wear and will need replacing.
- Wearing dentures daily causes an acceleration in jawbone loss, which consequently creates an aged appearance due to facial sagging.
- Food often gets trapped under dentures, and when decays leads to bad breath.
- An increase in low self-esteem, lack of confidence and avoidance of certain social situations and scenarios.
How much do dentures cost?
Now, the cost of dentures will vary, depending on whether you get them privately or via the NHS. Secondly, prices vary depending on the material used and the extent of teeth missing from the mouth.
As a general overview – our denture costs are:
Our patients can pay for their treatment in multiple ways:
- Upfront
- Part pay/part finance
- 100% denture finance (12-24 months)
- Dental Insurance
denture options & alternatives to wearing dentures
Acrylic Dentures (partial & full)
- From £850
- Made from plastic
- Replace every five years
- Palate-covering
- Prone to accidents
- Limited speech
Chrome Dentures
- From £1,100
- Very strong
- Long-lasting
- Made from metal
- Can cause facial sagging
- Bone loss
- From £4,900
- Removable
- Snap-in dentures
- Porcelain dentures
- Less movement and no slippages
- From £16,000
- Dentures you can wear all the time
- A life-changing dental solution
- The closest solution to natural teeth
Denture overview
We all know someone who wears dentures – and we also know how they feel about them. Often a topic of amusement, denture wearers over the lifetime have to put up with jokes, embarrassing moments and a never-ending fear of their dentures coming loose at the wrong moment.
Dentures like acrylic dentures are low-costing because the false, artificial teeth used do not mimic natural teeth so well. Typical dentures are either made from plastic, nylon or metal. Still, recent technological advances mean that patients can access several new types of dentures, which offer a better quality of life.
Denture dentists with little experience in implant dentistry might recommend dentures in the following situations:
- Ongoing dental pain, tooth decay
- Gum disease spreading through the mouth
- Multiple tooth loss or following tooth extraction
Want a second opinion? Get one from Maida Smiles in West London, who work with both dentures and implants on a daily basis.
Getting used to wearing dentures
Your biggest concern about wearing dentures is likely going to be around how they look and feel in your mouth. Will you notice them always, or get used to them?
Every first-time denture wearer will experience how strange it will feel to have dentures fitted for the first time. Patients can expect sore, irritated gums (especially at first as they rub).
Some rules to follow:
- Do not wear dentures overnight (keep them stored in a damp container or a glass of water).
- Eating certain foods will be difficult, so stick to soft foods and gradually experiment with some harder textures.
- Give yourself time! The tongue and cheek muscles will get used to accommodating your false teeth in time, and speech and eating will get easier.
- Palateless dentures do not cover the roof of the mouth, but with some dentures, where the palate is covered the ability to taste will be diminished and more saliva will be produced than normal.
- Painful dentures will need to be addressed immediately.
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Caring for dentures
Keeping your dentures clean to preserve your oral health as best as possible under the circumstances can be a task. Dentures must be taken out twice daily and cleaned with a toothbrush to remove food residue. Rinsing them after every meal will also be essential in your pursuit of keeping them clean.
Plus, according to your manufacturer, they must be disinfected daily according to the instructions provided. By doing this, you’ll be putting yourself in the best position to protect against infection and soreness.
- Handle dentures with care.
- Avoid cleaning them over a hard surface.
- Dentures will need to be deep-cleaned by a denture dentist every so often to remove stubborn stains.
Helpful tips
- Dentures can stain! Drinking tea and coffee will discolour your dentures.
- Dentists can use acrylic resin to improve the fit.
- When dentures are removed, it is advisable to keep them in water – this will prevent them from drying out and changing shape.
- If your new dentures make you gag, toothpaste on top can help you manage this.
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