Dentures
Don’t suffer from loose, poor-fitting or unnatural looking dentures. As one of Florida’s leading specialists in prosthodontics and replacement teeth, let Dr. David M. Skopp, DDS and his team help you find the solution for your missing teeth—be it dentures, bridges or dental implants—and let you rediscover your sense of self-confidence in your smile.
What types of dentures are available?
We’re all familiar with dentures and most of us still think of them as those fake looking, loose fitting things our grandma wore. However, there have been many advancements in dentures in recent years, resulting in false teeth that fit better, cause less discomfort, and most importantly, look and feel more like the real thing. Although still not quite as good as more permanent options like bridges and dental implants, removable dentures are still one of the most popular types of teeth replacements out there.
Depending on how many teeth you have remaining and their condition, you may need either partial or complete dentures. When some natural teeth remain, partial dentures can be made that will attach to the remaining teeth and these can either be removable or fixed in the form of a bridge.
If all of the teeth are gone or in poor health, then you’ll likely need complete dentures, which will slip over the gums and are sometimes held in place with adhesive. Still, this usually is no longer necessary, as Dr. Skopp will work with you to adjust your dentures over time to ensure a perfect, tight fit, with no slippage.
How are dentures made?
Once you’ve decided on dentures and Dr. Skopp has determined whether you need full or partial dentures, you’ll then need to undergo several appointments over a period of two months or so to get them fitted and adjusted. To start with, if any teeth need to be removed, this will be done first, after which our team will take impressions and measurements of your mouth to use as a model for building the dentures. A plastic mold will be made before the dentures are cast to allow us to make sure that everything is perfect and the dentures will fit just as they should.
In many cases, we can make immediate dentures that can be used even while your mouth is healing if you had teeth pulled. Either way, the dentures may feel uncomfortable or cause pain or sore spots in your mouth for the first few weeks, and it is usually necessary to come to the office periodically to have them readjusted during this time. Still, your mouth will eventually adjust to the dentures and they will hopefully start to feel more like your real teeth.
What will my dentures feel like?
Many people are worried about pain or discomfort after getting their dentures, both of which are quite common for a short period of time. Other common issues that should soon go away can include-
Problems chewing and eatingAt first, you may find it difficult to eat with your dentures, but with time you should be able to resume a normal diet. However, you will still want to stay away from foods that are too hard, sticky or chewy.
Slurred speech or other speaking difficulties. Your dentures may feel big in your mouth and cause you to speak different at first, but as they are better adjusted these issues should cease.
Excessive saliva or dry mouth. Changes in saliva flow are common when first wearing dentures, but will slowly go away as your mouth gets used to them.
Dentures slipping or clicking. This usually has to do with having loose-fitting dentures and may be a sign that they need to be readjusted. Still, as you get more used to them, you’ll soon find you have no issues keeping them in place.Dentures are just one of your many options for replacing missing teeth, so to schedule an appointment with Dr. Skopp and find out what is best for you, give us a call today.