Dentures – Lebanon, NH
Get a Brand-New Smile Worth Celebrating
If you’re missing most or all of your teeth, it affects more than just your appearance. Losing teeth will impair your ability to chew food, to speak properly, and to maintain your overall oral health. Thankfully, there’s a way to quickly and easily replace the teeth that you’ve lost—with dentures.
If you live near Lebanon, NH, the team here at Hanover Road Dental Health Family Dentistry can help you get a brand-new smile worth celebrating. If you want to know more about what they can do for you, give us a call and we’ll bring you in for a consultation.
Why Choose Hanover Road Dental Health For Dentures?
- Friendly Dental Team Dedicated to Judgement-Free Care
- Team of Skilled Dentists Who Will Tailor Care to You
- Dentures Made From High-Quality Materials
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dentures?
There are several different methods of tooth replacement available to you, and in general, dentures are best suited those patients missing many, most, or all of their teeth. They’re capable of replacing many teeth at once quickly and easily. However, if you’re missing only one or two, it’s usually a good idea to pursue other methods of tooth replacement, like dental implants or dental bridges.
Types of Dentures
There are a variety of different kinds of dentures available to you, and which one you should pursue has to do with the particulars of your situation. We’ll be able to tell you more about what options would make the most sense for you when we meet you in person, but until then, here’s what you should know about what dentures are available to you.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures, as the name would imply, are used in situations where someone needs to replace just a few of the teeth in their mouth. They consist of prosthetic teeth on a small base and clip onto the natural teeth with small metal hooks.
Full Dentures
Full dentures are designed for those patients who are missing most or all of the teeth in their mouth. Their acrylic base can be meticulously molded to fit the gums well, allowing them adhere in place entirely via suction.
Implant Dentures
If you’re looking for a little bit more stability than suction can offer you on its own, you might be interested in implant dentures. This involves attaching your prosthetic to a set of metal posts that are surgically implanted into the jaw. While this can be a little more demanding on your jawbone, it also affords you greater stability and prevents jaw reabsorption in the long-term.
The Benefits of Dentures
Dentures are one of the fastest and easiest methods of replacing many of your teeth at once. They can be customized to fit your mouth’s unique profile, meaning that your prosthetic will be incredibly well-fitting and realistic. Here are just some of the incredible benefits that they have to offer!
Psychological Benefits
Tooth loss is challenging to accept. Many people who have lost most of or all of their teeth encounter negative effects on their self-confidence, meaning higher levels of sadness and depression. When you restore your smile with dentures, you can improve both how you feel and how you look, reducing anxieties about appearance, speech, chewing ability, and more.
Clearer Enunciation
Producing certain sounds and saying different words can be challenging when you have gaps in your smile. To enunciate your words properly, your lips and tongue need to be positioned correctly. When you are missing teeth, your tongue isn’t positioned properly, making it challenging to say some words. Because dentures act as the missing teeth, they allow you to speak more clearly.
Improves Nutrition
Many nutrient-dense foods are tough in texture, like proteins, fruits, and veggies. If you are unable to chew them thoroughly, your eating habits are negatively affected. Dentures make it easier to bite and chew your favorite foods. Therefore, they let you eat a more nutritious diet that promotes overall health.
Preserves Oral Health
If you still have healthy natural teeth, dentures can help to keep them in optimal shape. By filling in the gaps with a partial denture, you can keep your teeth sturdy in place. Dentures also help to bear some of the weight of regular chewing, reducing wear and tear of the natural teeth over time.
Expanded Opportunities
When attending interviews, negotiating sales, and attending social events, making an excellent first impression is key. Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you, so having one that appears healthy does nothing but help! Studies have shown that the probability of being employed is negatively associated with poor dental health.
Dentures Aftercare
Dentures remain a trusted and effective solution for replacing missing teeth, restoring the look and function of a natural smile. But even if you have few or no natural teeth left, regular dental visits are still essential. At Hanover Road Dental Health, we encourage all our denture patients to come in for routine checkups and cleanings. These appointments help us monitor your gums, check any remaining teeth, and catch potential issues before they turn into bigger problems. With the right care, you can extend the life of your smile and keep your mouth healthy. Here are some tips to make sure your prosthetics last!
Remove After Eating
After eating, it's important to remove and rinse your dentures. This simple habit helps wash away food particles, plaque, and bacteria that can build up throughout the day. When rinsing, be sure to use cool or lukewarm water – hot water can warp the material, leading to a poor fit and discomfort.
Clean Your Restoration
Your dentures need daily cleaning, just like natural teeth. To do this, take them out and gently brush them using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Use a small amount of mild dish soap, unscented hand soap, or a cleanser made specifically for dentures. Avoid using regular toothpaste, which can be too abrasive. If you're not wearing your dentures right away, soak them in a glass of water or denture solution to keep them moist and maintain their shape.
Keep Your Dentures Safe
Although dentures are made to be durable, they can still break if dropped. When cleaning them, it’s a good idea to place a towel in the sink or on the counter as a cushion, just in case. Be mindful to keep your dentures out of reach of children and pets, as they can easily become damaged if mishandled.
Remove When You Sleep
Always take your dentures out at night before going to bed. Wearing them around the clock can reduce blood flow to your gums, leading to irritation or even infection. Studies have also linked sleeping with dentures to an increased risk of pneumonia and higher levels of plaque on the gums and tongue. Giving your mouth a break each night helps keep your tissues healthy and allows your dentures to soak properly.
Notice Changes
Pay close attention to how your dentures and mouth feel. If you notice any sores, gum irritation, or signs of infection, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your dentist. And if your dentures become loose, damaged, or uncomfortable, don’t try to fix them yourself. DIY repairs can cause more harm than good. Instead, contact us so we can recommend the best solution to restore your comfort and function.