Dental Procedure Guide: Dentures

When might dentures be required?

There are a number of reasons why permanent dentures may be required. They’re usually recommended by your dentist when you have lost your natural teeth or had your teeth extracted, due to things such as:

• – Tooth decay
• – Gum disease
• – Physical injuries

Dentures can have a major impact on your health, as having gaps in your teeth can lead to dental issues such as gum problems and tooth shifting. However, dentures aren’t just limited to oral health issues. They also have a cosmetic function, providing a set of natural-looking teeth to improve your smile. Dentures are often more cost-effective than other forms of treatment for missing teeth, such as dental implants or bridges. If you’re unsure about whether you need dentures, please contact your dentist and make an appointment for a consultation.

The aftercare process

After your dentures have been fitted, your dentist should provide you with the appropriate aftercare advice. It’s important to follow the advice given so that your treatment goes ahead as planned.

Every situation is different, but the British Association of Clinical Dental Technology (BACDT) recommends the following aftercare steps:

• – If you have to wear dentures, they may feel uncomfortable in your mouth. However, it’s important to wear them when required, as permanent dentures can help prevent further health issues, such as gum disease.
• – When your dentures are first fitted, they should be left in until you go to bed. However, your dentures should always be removed before going to sleep.
• – Your dentures should be cleaned every day. You should rinse them thoroughly in warm water, before using a denture cleaner/paste. Conventional toothbrushes are not recommended – instead, specific denture brushes can be purchased to gently clean your dentures. Your dentures should also be soaked in a specific dental cleanser for at least 30 minutes per day – once they’ve finished soaking, your dentures can then be rinsed off before use.
• – You should also clean your mouth regularly, including your gums, any remaining teeth, your soft palate and your tongue. Mouthwash can also be used, and your mouth should be rinsed out after every meal.
• – You may experience sore spots after your treatment has been completed. However, if the pain gets worse or doesn’t go away, you should ask your dentist to assess your condition further.
• – Sticky foods should be avoided if possible. Eating may feel difficult at first, but rest assured that you will get used to using dentures after a while.

It’s important to follow your cleaning routine each day, as this will ensure the health of your mouth and your dentures. If you’re not sure which cleaning products to use, your dentist should be able to advise you accordingly.

If your dentist fails to provide adequate aftercare advice and something goes wrong, you may be able to make a dental negligence claim against them. To open a claim, please make an enquiry with our expert team here.

Questions you should ask your dentist before undergoing treatment

Tooth loss can be a major source of stress, and the process of getting permanent dentures created can be equally worrisome, particularly if you’re not sure what to expect.

The vast majority of denture procedures are performed successfully, but it’s perfectly natural to have questions and concerns. Your dentist should be able to answer any queries you have about dentures and your oral health, so it’s advisable that you speak to them first before undergoing treatment.

Here, we’ve created a list of important questions you may want to ask your dentist at your initial consultation appointment:

• – How long does it take to fit dentures?
• – How much will my dentures cost?
• – Am I able to get a price reduction?
• – Is a written treatment plan available for me to view beforehand?
• – Are there any side effects or risks that I should be aware of?
• – What aftercare will I require after my dentures are fitted?
• – Are dentures essential for my situation?
• – Do I need to have a clinical assessment before treatment?
• – Is my treatment available through the NHS?
• – Where will my treatment be carried out?
• – Do I need to have any other procedures carried out to ensure the success of my dentures?
• – How long will my treatment take, and will I need any follow-up appointments?
• – How do I prepare for my appointment?
• – Are there any alternative procedures I could try instead?
• – Are there specific cleaning products I should use during the recovery process?
• – Is there anything else I should be aware of before undergoing treatment?

Hopefully, these questions will give you the information needed to make the appropriate decision for your circumstances. However, if you find that you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask your dentist.

If you’ve already had dentures fitted and you think you may have suffered from dental negligence, our expert team will be happy to help. Please get in touch and we’ll get the process started.