The making of a dental prosthesis (commonly known as dentures) is an art that requires time, attention to detail, and expertise. Denturists are unquestionably masters in the field. Their secret? Denturists devote their entire practice to making dentures.
Source: Association des denturologistes du Québec
Many people use the term “denturologist” to refer to denturists. Although it may be confusing, both terms are used in Quebec and Canada to designate a dental prosthesis expert. Nevertheless, in Quebec, the term “denturologist” prevails in the official denturism nomenclature of the province, while the term “denturist” is more common in the rest of Canada.
Are you worried about losing your teeth and being faced with a six-month convalescence period without teeth?
No need to worry, immediate transitional dentures are the solution.
Your denturist can design and place these removable partial or complete dentures or implant-supported dentures into your mouth directly at the clinic following the extraction of one, several or all your teeth.
While you heal, temporary prostheses improve the aesthetic appearance of your mouth in addition to maintaining a proper articular relationship, facilitating the subsequent placement of permanent prostheses. They also act as a dressing that protects wounds and ensures more uniform tissue healing.
These temporary prostheses need to be adjusted regularly as your gums will change during the healing period, which can vary from three to nine months depending on the individual.
It is important to follow up with free recall exams. Our denturists see each patient for follow-up examinations one to three years after denture placement, depending on the individual. These examinations are very important to ensure dentures fit properly, while checking up on the patient’s overall oral and denture hygiene. In addition, we can detect certain signs of premature wear to avoid breakage, which can be very distressing for the patient.
Your dental prosthesis requires proper and specific care. Dental plaque can adhere to your prosthesis and harden into a tartar deposit. It is therefore necessary to:
The loss of a few teeth is not a trivial phenomenon. It can lead to a variety of ailments and other problems if the lost teeth are not replaced quickly. Therefore, partial dentures are essential.
Remaining teeth will move
After extraction, the surrounding teeth will eventually move. This results in chewing problems and aesthetic issues.
Poor digestion
Incomplete dentition leads to poor chewing of food and subsequently poor digestion as the stomach needs to work harder.
Premature wear of teeth
The remaining teeth are subjected to more stress and pressure when chewing, resulting in faster wear.
Instability of the complete upper denture
Incomplete support on a toothless jaw results in imbalance and instability. It is a major cause of pain and discomfort.
Your denturist will consider aesthetic concerns specific to your individual needs when designing your partial dentures. Wearing dentures will not alter the natural appearance of your face or mouth.
Contrary to popular belief, partial dentures do not damage your teeth, but rather reinforce them. Also, partial dentures do not cause cavities, rather inadequate oral hygiene does.
Do your dentures feel too big and unstable? Does food residue get stuck between your dentures and gums? Over time, the loss of bone mass in the jaw can affect the stability of your dentures. Ask your denturist how to remedy this problem.
If implants are not a solution for you, relining will help stabilize your dentures. Relining involves adding acrylic to the inside of the dentures. This operation can be performed in the laboratory or directly in the mouth at the clinic. The appointment typically lasts about 45 minutes. Relining helps stabilize your dentures and extend their life.
Have you been noticing that your dentures feel less comfortable? Are they starting to move? Are you also experiencing gum irritation and pain? So, why do your dentures hurt if they have been carefully adjusted?
Over time, your gums may suffer tissue loss and become thinner. This is known as “gum recession.” Fortunately, there is a type of prosthesis that can alleviate the side effects of gum recession if dental implants are not an option: soft denture liners.
A soft liner is a layer of soft material placed between your dentures and oral tissues. It improves comfort and is less irritating to your mucous membranes. However, the soft liners will not stop gum recession, as your gums will continue to change shape. To ensure your new soft denture liners remain comfortable over time, you should have them checked yearly and replaced as required. This will prolong the health of your gums by ensuring maximum adherence.
Because of the porous texture of the soft liner material, liners are not as easy to clean. Annual check-ups will prevent hygiene-related problems. Your denturist will also recommend effective cleaning products.
Caution: Soft denture liners are not suitable for everyone. A free clinical evaluation can determine whether you are a candidate for soft liners.
If you have been wearing dentures for more than five years without consulting your denturist, you are exposing your health to unnecessary risks. What’s more, unexpected breakage is more likely to occur after a reasonable period. Imagine fracturing your dentures while travelling abroad? Too many people believe prostheses last 20 years but nothing is further from the truth! And most insurance policies cover renewal every five years.
Over time, your face, mouth and jaws will change. Removable dentures are made of a solid non-malleable material. As such, this material cannot adapt to the physiological changes. Artificial teeth also wear over time and therefore, dentures can only effectively do their job for about five years. For these reasons, wearing out-of-date prostheses can be harmful, even if the consequences are often not visible.
Wearing old dentures can have the following consequences:
Replacing your old dentures with new ones involves a transition period. Keep in mind that changing your dentures within the prescribed time frame will make adapting to your new dentures easier, minimize discomfort, and discreetly renew your smile.
Few people take proper care of their dentures. Some even fail to remove them and soak them in water, thus failing to provide rest for the gums. Don’t put your oral health at risk!
With proper care, your acrylic dentures can have a life expectancy of five to ten years. An expert in the field, your denturist is the best qualified to advise you when to replace your dentures. Having your dentures examined by a denturist will prevent potential problems that may arise from bad habits developed by denture wearers.
Be on the lookout for the following signs, which may indicate you need to change your dentures: loss of adherence to your gums, dentures that move around, dentures that don’t cut food properly, aged appearance of the face, stained dentures, and discomfort or pain.
By making the dentures themselves, your denturist minimizes the impact of changing your dentures. New dentures do come with an adaptation period. Your denturist will advise you on how to adapt to your new dentures more quickly and facilitate the transition, so that you can regain your beautiful smile. Keep in mind that changing your dentures within the prescribed time frame will make adapting to your new dentures easier, minimize discomfort, and discreetly renew your smile.
Remember, wearing dental prostheses that are over 10 years old will inevitably cause physiognomy changes, which are often irreversible, and may also trigger other asymptomatic problems. The longer you delay replacing your prosthesis, the higher your risk of discomfort and changes to your appearance.