DENTURES

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Two types of dentures are available — complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.

COMPLETE DENTURES

Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing.

Complete dentures can be either “conventional” or “immediate.” Made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has begun to heal, a conventional denture is ready for placement in the mouth about eight to 12 weeks after the teeth have been removed.

Unlike conventional dentures, immediate dentures are made in advance and can be positioned as soon as the teeth are removed. As a result, the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums shrink over time, especially during the healing period following tooth removal. Therefore, a disadvantage of immediate dentures compared with conventional dentures is that they require more adjustments to fit properly during the healing process and generally should only be considered a temporary solution until conventional dentures can be made. Immediate dentures will also need to be relined after about 6 months, to compensate for shrinkage of tissues due to healing, which will cause the denture to start fitting loosely.

THE PROCEDURE…

YOU NEVER HAD A DETURE BEFORE…

Making a denture from scratch will require a few appointments and is quite a process, so you will need some patience…

Primary Impression – an impression is taken with a loosely fitting factory tray. The dental laboratory will use this impression to make a custom made special tray that fits your mouth like a glove…☺

Final Impression – a final impression is taken with the special tray from the lab, this impression will be much more accurate than the 1st one. Once a model is cast from these impressions, the lab will use the models to make bite-blocks from wax.
Bite recording – the bite-blocks are used to record your bite; the relationship between your upper and lower jaw, your midline, smileline, lipline etc. The colour you would like your teeth to be is also recorded during this appointment.
Try-In – your teeth are tried in for the 1st time. We check the bite, midlines, are you happy with the colour and shape size and look of the teeth. If not, we make a list of adjustments to be made, and send it to the lab.
Re-try – if any adjustments were made we check if you are happy with them. Once you are absolutely happy with each aspect, we ask our technician to go ahead and do the finishing touches and set the teeth in acrylic.
Finish – your new set of teeth are ready for their first smile! We recheck the set for any pressure spots. Remember you are always welcome to come and see us with pressure spots to relief them, we are here for you!

YOU’VE HAD A DENTURE BEFORE

So you have a denture and just need a new one? But you don’t feel up to all those appointments and measurements and then adjusting to a whole new bite?

We can use your old set, to help us with the new set! Bring your old set with and save a few trips, and get that new smile quicker ;-).

PARTIAL DENTURES

Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain, and only the missing/lost teeth are replaced.

Two options are available when looking at partial dentures:

Acrylic Partial Dentures usually consists of replacement teeth attached to a pink or gum-colored plastic base. Acrylic partial dentures are cheaper, but may be uncomfortable, since they need to be made thicker to be durable.

Metal-frame Partial dentures usually consists of replacement teeth attached to a metal frame of chrome cobalt. It is much more comfortable and stronger than an acrylic partial denture and slightly more expensive.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I REPLACE MY DENTURES?

You should replace your dentures every five years. This is because a person’s mouth and gums are in a constant state of change. Because your denture is a hard appliance, it cannot adjust to the changes in your mouth by itself! The artificial teeth wear down, and the denture does not support the face as it did when it was new. This leads to an older, “sunken” look in the face, discomfort, and lack of proper function.

When you reach the point where your dentures are feeling too loose, where they are uncomfortable, or where you notice a visible change in your appearance, it is time to call your Dentist and have your dentures replaced!

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON’T REGULARLY REPLACE YOUR DENTURES?

Worn out dentures can cause permanent damage, compromising the health of the denture wearer. Some possible effects are: headaches, neck and joint pain, difficulty chewing, poor digestion and dietary problems, sunken face, over-closing of the jaw, irritated and soft gums, as well as premature bone loss, due to ill-fitting dentures.

WHAT DO NEW DENTURES FEEL LIKE?

New dentures may feel a little odd or loose for a few weeks until the muscles of the cheeks and tongue learn to keep them in place and you get comfortable inserting and removing them. Also, it is not unusual for minor irritation or soreness to occur and for saliva flow to increase when you first start wearing dentures, but these problems will diminish as the mouth adjusts.

WILL EATING WITH NEW DENTURES BE DIFFICULT?

Eating with new dentures will take a little practice and may be uncomfortable for some wearers for a few weeks. To get used to the new denture, start with soft foods cut into small pieces. Chew slowly using both sides of your mouth. As you get used to new dentures, add other foods until you return to a normal diet. Be cautious with hot or hard foods and sharp-edged bones or shells. And, avoid foods that are extremely sticky or hard. You should also avoid chewing gum while you wear the denture.

WILL DENTURES CHANGE HOW I SPEAK?

After getting dentures, you may have difficulty pronouncing certain words. If so, practice by saying the difficult words out loud. With practice and with time you will become accustomed to speaking properly with dentures.

If dentures “click” while you’re talking, contact your dentist. Dentures may occasionally slip when you laugh, cough, or smile. Reposition the dentures by gently biting down and swallowing. If any speaking problem persists, consult your dentist or prosthodontist.

ARE DENTURES WORN 24/7?

Your dentist will instruct you as to how long to wear dentures and when to remove them. During the first several days after receiving your denture, you may be asked to wear it all the time, including while you  sleep. Although this may be temporarily uncomfortable, it is the quickest way to identify the areas on the denture that may need adjustment. Once adjustments are made, you should remove dentures before going to bed. This allows gum tissues to rest and allows normal stimulation and cleansing by the tongue and saliva. The denture can be put back in the mouth in the morning.

SHOULD I USE DENTURE ADHESIVE(eg.COREGA?)

A denture adhesive may be considered under the following circumstances:

To enhance satisfaction with a properly constructed denture. Adhesives enhance retention, stability, bite force, and an individual’s sense of security.
To assist individuals with dry mouth conditions that lessen denture adherence, such as individuals taking cold medications, those with neurologic disabilities including strokes, and the elderly.
To provide added stability and security for those who place unusual demands on facial muscles, such as public speakers or musicians.

WHEN SHOULD DENTURE ADHESIVE BE CONSIDERED?

There are situations when denture adhesives should not be used. Those cases include:

When it is used as a “fix” for ill-fitting or poorly constructed dentures. If dentures begin to feel loose, cause discomfort or cause sores to develop, contact your dentist as soon as possible.
When a dentist has not evaluated dentures for a long time. Dentures rest on gum tissue and the jawbone, which shrink and deteriorate, respectively, over time. Therefore, the real problem might be a need for a denture adjustment or new dentures.
When oral hygiene practices cannot be sustained.
When adhesives have been used for a long time, especially when visits to the dentist are infrequent, and when the frequency and volume of the adhesive use increases. These developments may indicate the need for a denture adjustment or new dentures.
When any known allergy exists to the adhesive’s ingredients.

HOW ARE DENTURE ADHESIVES APPLIED?

Here are some tips to consider when applying denture adhesives:

Use the minimum amount necessary to provide the maximum benefit. Apply less than you think you need, and then gradually increase the amount until you feel comfortable.
Distribute the adhesive evenly on the tissue bearing surface of the denture.
Apply or reapply when necessary to provide the desired effect.
Always apply the adhesive to a thoroughly clean denture.
Remember adhesives work best with a well-fitting denture.

ARE THERE ALTERNATIVES TO DENTURES?

Yes, dental implants can be used to support cemented bridges, eliminating the need for a denture. The cost is usually greater, but the implants and bridges more closely resemble the feel of real teeth. Dental implants are becoming the alternative to dentures but not everyone is a candidate for implants. Consult your dentist for advice.

BITE PLATES

BITEPLATE

Why do people grind their teeth?

How do I find out if I grind my teeth?

Why is grinding harmful?

The procedure

What can I do to stop grinding?

What to do if my children grind their teeth?

WHAT IS A BITEPLATE?

A biteplate is a removable, acrylic appliance, you sleep with, made to protect your teeth’s occlusal surfaces against grinding/bruxism.
An anterior bite plate is most commonly used to correct a deep bite (when the upper front teeth greatly overlap the lower front teeth). Such cases render orthodontic treatment harder to deliver: deep bite combined with low overjet (upper front teeth sliding too close against the lower front teeth) leads to shearing off of lower brackets. Deep overbite also hinders the anterior-posterior movement of teeth (teeth moving forward and backward), leading to delays in response to orthodontic dental treatment.

WHY DO PEOPLE GRIND THEIR TEETH?

Most people probably grind and clench their teeth from time to time. Occasional teeth grinding, medically called bruxism, does not usually cause harm, but when teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis the teeth can be damaged and other oral health complications can arise.

Although teeth grinding can be caused by stress and anxiety, it often occurs during sleep and most people don’t even know they grind.

HOW DO I FIND OUT IF I GRIND MY TEETH?

Because grinding often occurs during sleep, most people are unaware that they grind their teeth. However, a dull, constant headache or sore jaw when you wake up is a tell-tale symptom of bruxism. Many times people learn that they grind their teeth by their loved one who hears the grinding at night.

If you suspect you may be grinding your teeth, talk to your dentist. He or she can examine your mouth and jaw for signs of bruxism, such as jaw tenderness and excessive wear on your teeth.

WHY IS GRINDING HARMFUL?

In some cases, chronic teeth grinding can result in a fracturing, loosening, or loss of teeth. The chronic grinding may wear teeth down to stumps. When these events happen, bridges, crowns, canals, implants, partial dentures, and even complete dentures may be needed.

Not only can severe grinding damage teeth and result in tooth loss, it can also affect your jaws, cause or worsen TMD/TMJ(Temporal Mandibular Joint Disorder/ Jaw Joint Disorder), and even change the appearance of your face.

THE PROCEDURE

When you come in to have a biteplate made, a simple impression of both the upper and lower jaw is taken. You will also be asked to bite on a piece of pink wax to record your bite. These are sent to the dental laboratory, where your biteplate will be manufactured, and fitted a week later.

WHAT CAN I DO TO STOP GRINDING?

Your dentist can fit you with a mouth guard to protect your teeth from grinding during sleep.

If stress is causing you to grind your teeth, ask your doctor or dentist about options to reduce your stress. Attending stress counselling, starting an exercise program, seeing a physical therapist, or obtaining a prescription for muscle relaxants are among some of the options that may be offered.

If a sleeping disorder is causing the grinding, treating it may reduce or eliminate the grinding habit.

Other tips to help you stop teeth grinding include:

Avoid or cut back on foods and drinks that contain caffeine, such as colas, chocolate, and coffee.
Avoid alcohol. Grinding tends to intensify after alcohol consumption.
Do not chew on pencils or pens or anything that is not food. Avoid chewing gum as it allows your jaw muscles to get more used to clenching and makes you more likely to grind your teeth.
Train yourself not to clench or grind your teeth. If you notice that you clench or grind during the day, position the tip of your tongue between your teeth. This practice trains your jaw muscles to relax.

WHAT TO DO IF MY CHILDREN GRIND THEIR TEETH?

The problem of teeth grinding is not limited to adults. Approximately 15% to 33% of children grind their teeth. Children who grind their teeth tend to do so at two peak times

When their baby teeth emerge

When their permanent teeth come in

Most children lose the teeth grinding habit after these two sets of teeth have come in more fully.

Most commonly, children grind their teeth during sleep rather than during waking hours. No one knows exactly why children grind their teeth but considerations include improperly aligned teeth or irregular contact between upper and lower teeth, illnesses and other medical conditions, such as nutritional deficiencies, intestinal worms, allergies, and psychological factors including anxiety and stress.

Grinding of the baby teeth rarely results in problems. However, teeth grinding can cause wear on the teeth. Consult your dentist if your child’s teeth look worn or if your child complains of tooth sensitivity or pain.

No intervention is usually required with preschool-age children. However, older children may need temporary crowns or other methods, such as a night guard, to prevent the grinding.

INLAYS & ONLAYS

INLAYS AND ONLAYS

Inlays and onlays, are highly aesthetic ceramic/porcelain restorations and last much longer than composite restorations, since it is made from a ceramic material, and are almost as strong as natural teeth. It is either fabricated by a dental laboratory or as in our practice, using in-office cad/cam equipment, called cerec. Inlays are especially useful to restore teeth where large fillings would’ve been necessary, and is a good way to build up natural contacts between teeth.

Onlays are useful to restore teeth where an entire cusp of a molar was lost, and a composite filling would simply show too much wear and simply break again in the long-term.

Inlays and onlays are simply just the best long-term filling if you are looking at quality, durability, function and aesthetics all in one! It will almost be like your tooth was never broken! And at our practice, with help of state of the art CAD/CAM technology like CEREC, you get all this, with the comfort of only one appointment!

Before

After

THE BENEFITS OF USING INLAYS AND ONLAYS:

Inlays/onlays will not discolour over time, like composite restorations.
Less tooth material is removed when preparing the tooth for an inlay/onlay, meaning that the inlay/only strengthen the tooth’s structure, where composites weaken it since in the case of composite fillings more tooth structure is removed.
Their colour is similar to that of the tooth and the anatomy of the tooth can be mimicked so the tooth is restored to look as good as new
The last longer since porcelain is much stronger than composite
They fit better since they are custom made, and there is zero shrinkage that can cause leakage on the margins of the restoration

Extraction

If a tooth has been broken or damaged by decay, your dentist will try to fix it with a filling, crown or other treatment. Sometimes, though, there’s too much damage for the tooth to be repaired. In this case, the tooth needs to be extracted. A very loose tooth also will require extraction if it can’t be saved, even with bone replacement surgery (bone graft).

After an extraction, it is very important to follow all post-operative instructions given by your dentist. We will supply you with a copy in writing which you can read through at home. Feel free to contact us with any complications.

We do occasionally extract wisdom teeth in the chair. This however depends on the root anatomy of the tooth as well as the angulation. If we foresee any possible complications or feel that a specialist approach is needed, you may be referred to a maxille-facial surgeon in the area, that will be able to better treat your case in our professional opinion.

Dental cleanings

Routine dental cleanings

Routine dental cleanings, also known as polishing and scaling, is an important part of maintaining a healthy mouth. Even though you may have a good brushing and flossing routine, we all need that little bit of extra attention to remove hardened deposits also known as tartar/calculus, that simply cannot be removed by routine brushing and flossing. Oh, and YES, even your dentist needs to go for these cleanings!

THE PROCEDURE

During a regular routine professional polishing and scaling hard deposits are scaled off with an ultrasonic scaler and the teeth are polished to smooth surface again. This procedure may sometimes be combined with your check-up appointment, depending on your specific situation and treatment needs at the time.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I POLISH AND SCALE?

How often you go is usually 6 monthly, but your dentist may tell you to go less frequently if you are not prone to calculus build-up; or to go more frequently if you are more prone or have diabetes, if you smoke or if you are currently suffering from gum disease.

AND IF I DON’T?

These deposits may result in bleeding gums, and gum disease, and in the long run, even cause gingival recession, which cause the gums to receed, and subsequently exposing the roots, rendering the teeth sensitive to hot and cold beverages. In severe cases, with years of receding, the teeth may even become loose due to bone loss and eventually tooth loss may result.

Check up

Check up’s

The dental examination is a systematic process during which your dentist will investigate many facets of your oral and systemic health in order to identify pathologies or concerns and develop a uniquely customized treatment plan that is catered towards maximizing your oral health while meeting your goals.

This appointment will generally last up to 30 minutes and is used to do a full examination of your teeth and oral soft tissues (gums, tongue, cheek) and jaw joints.
A complete charting of all previous fillings and crowns, as well as lost teeth, will be done. All teeth in need of treatment will also be recorded, whereafter a personalized treatment plan will be put together, and appointments scheduled accordingly to suit your specific treatment needs.
If you had a specific complaint this will also be seen to and examined.
This examination is done visually, but also with the help of our intra-oral camera with which we may take pictures to illustrate and explain to you exactly what is going on inside your mouth. We may also make use of digital x-rays to help us in our diagnoses.
We encourage our patients to feel free to engage with us and ask questions and be part of the decision making and treatment planning.
With us, your involvement is an integral part of our team’s success.