Archive for the ‘Dentures’ Category

Dentures – The emotional and physical ramifications discussed.

Even though this article may not pertain to you there is most likely someone in your life who has dentures or will need them in the future.  There are around 40 million Americans who are denture wearers so this is applicable to many readers.

When a person needs to have their teeth removed due to dental decay or periodontal disease there are both physical and emotional issues that need to be addressed. If at all possible it is usually best to save the teeth and fabricate a removable partial denture (sometimes referred to as a bridge) that attaches to the remaining natural teeth.  If this is done properly and maintained with regular dental visits and cleanings it should provide years of service to the patient.  If for some reason the natural teeth can’t be saved then dentures are inevitable.

• Emotional: Loosing a tooth or many teeth is a significant event on one’s life as it may lead to the feeling of getting older, depression because they experience the loss of one of their body parts, or the fact that they are so embarrassed because they feel like a failure which can lead to depression and the need for themselves to become recluse.  A huge fear that denture wearers have is that if they sneeze or laugh too much that the denture will fall out.   This is a reality and a huge embarrassment for those who have a loose fit in their dentures.  It is necessary to be supportive to those who we love when they go through this process.  It also takes time to adjust to dentures since they are foreign plastic plates that are only held in by suction on the top denture and just sit there on the lower.  Lower dentures sit on top of the bone with the lips pushing them one way and the tongue pushing them the other.  Food doesn’t taste the same with dentures because the upper plate covers the palate and therefore temperature is not transferred. Denture wearers can only generate about 25% of the biting force as those who have natural teeth so it is very difficult to bite down hard to chew hard food.
• Physical: There are many changes that take place after loosing teeth.  After a tooth is lost the bone that used to support it starts to collapse into the hole.  Placing an implant in the extraction site can preserve the bone and be used to hold a denture in with a snap in fit.
• Effects of bone loss: Over time as bone shrinks the face can become more sunken in because there isn’t enough support for the lips and face so things start to sag.  Dentures can be made to add needed underlying support to look more youthful and natural. It amazes me when a denture is properly made what a difference it makes.  It is also necessary to place the teeth in the proper position so the patient looks natural and not like their teeth are too long or too short.

It is obvious that those who are currently using dentures or those who will be in need of them in the future are literally dental handicaps.  These are prosthetic and are only a substitute for the natural teeth.  If at all possible we will attempt to use at least some of the natural teeth to support the denture.  Everyone is different and their mouths present with different issues.

It becomes apparent to those who are neglecting their teeth that they need to make a decision for their future by taking care of them and getting them examined.  I have seen a number of young adults who sip on pop and sports drinks throughout the day who have decay throughout the mouth.  Unfortunately some of them will need to have their teeth removed and the shame is that this is all preventable.

What is common is that everyone wants to look nice, eat well and avoid embarrassment.  Even though dentures are difficult to get used to and aren’t like natural teeth a well made set can make a difference.  Contact our dental office in Shelby Township, Michigan (Macomb County) at (586)247-3500 for a free dental consultation to see if we can help you out.

Our dental office located in Shelby Township is a family friendly place to be treated for the following reasons:

• We are gentle and treat each person as an individual.  The common factor that every person wants in a dentist is for them to be caring and gentle.  No matter your age dental pain is real and the mouth is very sensitive.  In fact, the majority of patients we treat who suffer from high fear of the dentist hav developed their fear from a childhood den

Dentures: How to prevent getting dentures, taking care of them and their current trends.

There are so many topics in dentistry that I can write about in this column since research is exposing more advanced techniques, materials and objectives in the field.  This month I wanted the Shelby Township, Macomb, Sterling Heights and Clinton Township readership to become aware of the state of edentulous (without teeth) patient and the struggles they go through.  It is also important to know that the percentage of  people who have lost their teeth is increasing even though research is advancing.  The problem with tooth loss is that the skeletal bone actually shrinks over time where the teeth have been extracted.  Since dentures rest on the gums people who have dentures only can bite down 15-20% as hard as they could when they had teeth.  This means that they have a limited assortment of soft foods they can comfortably eat which tends to not be as nutritious as harder foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables. 

Demographics:

According to an Academy of General Dentistry article there are around 35 million Americans who have either 1 or 2 jaws of missing teeth and this number is expected to increase to 38 million by 2020.  26% of the US population between the ages of 65-74 do not have teeth.  According to David Felton DDS, the demographic most at risk for dentures are lower education, smokers, females and a population who does not take daily vitamins or supplements. 

Tooth Loss

Once thought that dentures were a normal age related event we now know it has a lot to do with genetics, nutrition, and oral hygiene.  Those who are prone to tooth loss at an early age from cavities and periodontal disease are at a much higher risk for complete tooth loss and eventual dentures.  Once a tooth is removed, the adjacent teeth move into the space creating gaps where food gets lodged, creating more problems and more tooth loss.  This is why it is best to save teeth with root canal treatment if a tooth is infected rather than have it extracted.  Having fillings done at an early enough stage prevents root canals or extractions.

Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.  This bacterial induced disease is not painful and has little symptoms so it must be diagnosed and treated by a dentist before it is too late.  If your gums bleed when brushing or flossing, if you have bad breath, if your teeth are loose, if there is swelling around the gums or you have tarter buildup then you more than likely have periodontal disease.  Ignoring your problem won’t make it go away, in fact the sooner you are treated the better the outcome. 

Denture Care

For those who have had their teeth already removed and have dentures there is hope for you.  First of all, dentures have to be replaced or relined every 5-8 years.  Because the bone that supports the denture continually shrinks it is very important that you maintain the best fit possible.  When dentures are too loose they irritate the soft tissues and bone underlying the denture.  With less biting pressure the diet only permits for softer foods to be eaten.  Another factor not addressed much is the potential for an embarrassment moment when laughing with a denture and having it drop or even pop out of your mouth. With a good fit dentures provide confidence to be yourself and to smile and laugh without concern.

Assuming the dentures are made properly and fit relatively well, mini implants can be placed in one visit to provide a snap fit so the dentures are stabilized.  These implant supported dentures continue to rest on the ridge, but since they hold tightly to the gums without adhesive, they don’t move.  You can bite, chew and laugh without worrying that the denture will jump or fall out of place. 

Here are some pointers on how to take care of your dentures:

1. Don’t use tooth paste to clean them-This can scratch the surface and potentially promote staining and tarter build up.
2. Make sure you remove them when sleeping.  When removing the dentures at night the soft tissues to get access to body’s healing saliva of the mouth.  When leaving in place thrush can develop.  This reddish yeast infection can also be seen on the corners of the mouth. 
3. Soak your denture at night in Efferdent, Polident or other soaks.
4. See your dentist every year for a denture fit analysis.  The exam we do also provides for a cancer screening in addition to an analysis on your denture’s fit.
5. Clean your dentures with a brush and a denture cleaning paste such as Denture Cream every day. 
6. Use a wash cloth to rub and stimulate the roof of the mouth, tongue and lower ridge.  This prevents the build up of bacteria and yeast in the mouth.  It is also prudent to rinse the mouth with a mouthwash such as Listerine or Crest Pro Health.
7. If you don’t currently have a dentist you can contact our office at (586)247-3500 for a Free Denture Consultation.  I will give you an honest opinion of your status.  If you have dental insurance you should give us a call as soon as possible to take advantage of this benefit before year end.

I want to wish you and your family a Joyous Christmas and remember the reason for the season is the birth of Christ the King.  He came to this earth because He cares so much for you and me that He gave His life for us on the Cross.  May 2010 be Joy filled as we all go through these tough times together.  We will prevail.

If you have questions please call the office at (586)247-3500, email me at DrAntolak@TheGentleDentist.com, write at 15055 22 Mile #2, Shelby Twp. MI 48315 or fax (586)247-1211.  The more questions I receive the more I know what you are interested in as a topic.    Thank You, Robert V. Antolak DDS

We at The Gentle Dentist provide Cosmetic, Implant and General dentistry.  Our motto is “Relax while we take care of your smile”.  For more information please visit our web site at www.TheGentleDentist.com