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My husband put his dentures on the dinner table

By Dentures No Comments

My husband must be having some serious issues with his dentures. He doesn’t seem bothered by it, but neither will he wear them. He got a new set in March and that was an ordeal by itself. Since then the dentures have been nothing but trouble. 2 nights ago, we were invited out to dinner with close friends. I begged Don to wear his dentures and he reluctantly agreed. I don’t know why he puts up such a big fuss because he looks so handsome with them. We started the meal and everything was fine, but no more than five minutes into eating, he pulled them out and put them on the table. Our friends were polite and didn’t say anything, but their eyes showed that they were uncomfortable. Don left the dentures on the table during the entire dinner. I talked to him about it on our way home, and he insisted that although I think the dentures look great, they don’t feel great. I don’t think he has worn them enough to know how they feel. How can I get my husband to wear his dentures? Thanks, Anya

 

Dear Anya,

It can be difficult for people to adjust to the change, and wearing dentures can be a difficult transition. There are several issues people might experience with dentures.

Some Causes of Discomfort with Dentures

Too Tight/High Spots: Sometimes a new prosthesis can be too tight in certain areas or have high spots that cause pressure and make them uncomfortable to wear. The dental office should have run tests to see how the dentures fit and felt and made adjustments accordingly. If your husband prefers not to complain, he may not have mentioned these spots to the office, but they could be causing serious discomfort. If so, your best bet is to get him back to the office so they can adjust it.

Too Loose: When teeth are extracted, the jawbone in those areas begins to shrink, which can make a prosthesis feel too big. In the early stages of healing, there’s also some swelling. As swelling subsides, a prosthesis might not fit correctly. Dentists can make adjustments and reline the prosthesis for a better fit.

Movement/Sore Spots/Poor Fit: Poor fit or movement can and should be adjusted. If these issues aren’t addressed, they can cause serious pain and even injury.

Excess Saliva: When there is a foreign object in your mouth, it stimulates saliva. People new to wearing an oral prosthesis often complain about excess saliva, but as they wear it more, saliva production reduces. The key is to regularly the oral appliance.

Difficulty Speaking: It takes time to get used to talking while wearing dentures. If your husband has difficulty speaking with dentures, it can help to wear them at home and practice speaking with them.

Pushing Out/Falling Out: Some people are inclined to push their dentures out with their tongue. Others experience difficulty with suction for the upper denture. If the prosthesis is otherwise comfortable, using adhesive will be helpful. There are many different styles and brands of adhesive, so it’s a good idea for your husband to try a few until he finds one he prefers.

Any of these factors, and more, could be contributing to your husband’s discomfort. It may be better to discuss the issue with him and let him know you’re concerned. A visit or two to the dentist for adjustments should be able resolve the issue. If he continues to have discomfort, consider seeing a prosthodontist, a dentist who specializes in replacing missing teeth. Prosthodontists can help with more complicated issues and will be able to determine if your husband is a candidate an implant-supported denture, which helps dentures fit and feel better.

 

This blog is sponsored by Naperville denture specialist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

Looking for alternatives to dentures including a snap on smile

By Dentures No Comments

I have 4 upper teeth and 3 bottom teeth left. I don’t want dentures. Everyone that I know who wears dentures hates them. Plus they look bad. The teeth look like white plastic and the gums look like dark plastic. It is interesting to me that as long as dentures have been around that they still look unsightly. I’ve been looking into alternatives to dentures that might look more natural. Can I get a snap on smile instead? I think it will look better than false teeth. – Ephraim

Ephraim – Dentures vary in quality. The prosthesis you have described are likely budget dentures. They are the least expensive and least natural-looking dentures available. But for people with a limited budget, this is an option that is better than having all of your teeth missing. It enables people to chew and to smile with more confidence than having no teeth at all.

Dentures vs. Snap-On Smile

There are several characteristics of a Snap-On Smile that make it an unsuitable alternative to dentures:

  • It is designed to snap over your natural teeth, and your teeth keep it in place. If all, or most, of your teeth are missing, the appliance will easily dislodge.
  • It is temporary. If you wear it daily, it will wear out very quickly and need to be replaced.
  • Without the support of your natural teeth beneath the Snap-On Smile, you will have difficulty chewing. And as we mentioned, it will be almost impossible to keep it in your mouth.

Cosmetic Dentures

You can get comfortable cosmetic dentures that are made of high-quality materials and look natural. A prosthodontist will provide you with customized dentures that fit well. They will look much better than a Snap-On Smile.

A prosthodontist has at least two years of post-dental school training in replacing and restoring teeth. You will be included in the process of designing dentures that like your natural smile. They will compliment your facial features and be an expression of your personality.

If it’s within your budget, you can consider securing your dentures with dental implants. The implants will prevent your dentures for from slipping. Implant overdentures may fit over the remaining natural teeth that you have left, if the teeth are healthy.

Request a consultation with a prosthodontist to learn about cosmetic dentures and your options for stabilizing them.

This post is sponsored by award-winning prosthodontist Dr. Anthony LaVacca of Naperville.

magnetic dentures Naperville Dental Specialists

4 Things You Should Know About Magnetic Dentures

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4 Things You Should Know About Magnetic Dentures Before You Request Them

Opposites attract. That’s one reason why magnetic dentures work so well. But what should you know about them before you ask your dentist to secure your dentures with magnets?

1. Magnetic Dentures Are Implant Overdentures

Magnetic dentures are a type of implant overdentures. Dental implants are surgically placed in the jawbone. An magnetic abutment, or connector, is placed on top of the implants. Often, a healing period of several months is allowed before your permanent dentures are placed. Magnets in the base of the denture lock into place on the abutment.

2. Advantages of Magnetic Dentures

  • Stable magnetic force – Strong magnetic forces guide the denture to the right position and keep it in place. Close contact between the denture base and implant abutments is not required for the dentures to lock into place.
  • Easy handling – They are easier to place and remove by patients with impaired motor skills.
  • Better oral hygiene – There are no holes or notches in the denture base, which decreases the chances of food and debris getting trapped around them.
  • Less impact – The magnetic force limits lateral movement of the denture. This relieves some of the pressure that a denture can put on your gums, bone ridge, and dental implants.

3. What Are They Made Of?

Although magnetic denture systems often have the magnet enclosed in a capsule, some systems contact a trace of nickel. Some magnets are enclosed in a stainless steel case or are coated with ceramic to limit nickel exposure and add resistance to abrasion and corrosion. Let your implant dentist or prosthodontist know if you have metal sensitivities or allergies. Some dentists use magnets made of the minerals samarium-cobalt or iron-neodynium-boron. If you have concerns about the types of metals used, ask your implant dentist about it.

4. Request a Consultation

Before you choose any method of stabilizing your dentures, request a consultation with a skilled prosthodontist. Prosthodontists are specialists who, after dental school, completed two years of specialized training in restoring and replacing missing teeth.

After an examination and 3-D imaging, the doctor can let you know the following:

  • If you have adequate jawbone density to support dental implants, or if bone grafting is needed
  • The minimum number of implants needed to support your denture
  • The best method for stabilizing your denture

Magnetic dentures might be right for your case, but don’t insist on this method unless you understand the pros and cons. A conscientious prosthodontist will let you know the results you can expect with various methods for securing your dentures.

We recommend that you schedule at least two consultations with different prosthodontists so you can compare the options, costs, and methods of achieving the results you want. Keep in mind that the lowest fees aren’t always the safest and healthiest option for your smile.

This blog is sponsored by Naperville award-winning prosthodontist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

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    What’s the cost to get denture teeth replaced?

    By Dentures No Comments

    The false teeth in my dentures keep falling out and my dentist keeps putting them back. This has been going on for the past 9 months or so. After the 3rd tooth fell out, I started keeping track of it because I thought it might become a pattern. I am not proud to say I was right, but I was right. Over the past 9 months, 7 false teeth have fallen out. There is no pattern to it either. It doesn’t matter whether I was eating, talking, walking, or sitting. The teeth have randomly fallen out. Each of the 5 times I have gone back to the dentist for this, she asks me what I was doing when a tooth fell out. Unless I was biting something metal, does it matter? Can denture teeth fall out with everyday activity?

    And why is she asking me questions like this after multiple teeth fell out? Shouldn’t she be concerned about what she or the lab did or didn’t do correctly to cause this problem? My time is valuable and so are my nerves. I see nothing to my advantage to make it a habit of going to my dentist’s office and having false teeth put back in my dentures as if it’s normal. I am wondering about my options and how much it would cost to take out all of the false teeth and replace them with new ones? Or am I going to need new dentures? Thanks. Dorcas

    Dorcas – Before your denture teeth are replaced, your dentist—or a second-opinion prosthodontist—needs to determine why they keep falling out. The fact that your dentist has not taken the initiative to identify the real issue suggests a lack of desire, or a lack of proper training, to resolve it. There are several causes, though.

    Possible Reasons Denture Teeth Fall Out

    • They weren’t bonded correctly

      If teeth aren’t properly bonded to the denture base, they won’t be secure. Pressure on the teeth from eating or chewing can gradually cause them to loosen and fall out.

    • A poorly constructed base

      If you received a poor-quality denture base, it won’t hold the teeth. After wearing your dentures regularly, teeth will randomly fall out.

    • Your bite is off

      Just as natural teeth should properly fit together when you bite down, so should denture teeth. Pressure from an uneven bite can cause teeth to loosen and fall out.

    The Cost

    If each denture tooth needs to be replaced and your dentures are still under warranty, you shouldn’t be responsible for the cost. It might be easier to replace the dentures in their entirety, though. This is especially true if there is an issue with the base.

    Schedule an appointment with a prosthodontist. He or she is skilled and trained in providing high-quality, natural looking dentures that fit well and that will last. You can also consider having your dentures secured with dental implants to prevent them from floating around and to prevent jawbone shrinkage.

    This post is sponsored by Naperville award-winning implant dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

    Five Reasons Your Dentures Might Fall Out When You Sneeze

    By Dentures No Comments

    I’ve worn dentures for 16 years. It’s been a very uncomfortable experience for me. Within the past 3 months, they have started to fall out when I sneeze. This isn’t happening when I cough, but I can’t sneeze without them coming out. I’m learning to try hard to sneeze with my mouth closed, especially when I’m in public. Of course I’ve talked to my dentist about this and he keeps relining them. He also mentioned that I might need to get new ones. Could this be the problem if I’ve only had them for 2 years? I’m only 67 years old and there is longevity in my family. I’ll probably live another 15 years. Am I going to have to replace dentures every 2 years? – Thanks. Marlon

    Marlon – We understand your concerns and the embarrassment that comes with dentures that fall out. Dr. LaVacca would need to examine them to determine why they are falling out, but there are several possibilities.

    1. Jawbone Shrinkage

    After many years of wearing dentures, jawbone shrinkage is the most common reason for them to loosen or fall out. When your teeth are missing, your body resorbs the bone. Generally, bone shrinkage begins within 18 months of tooth extraction, and it continues throughout your lifetime. Dentures that rest on your jawbone accelerate bone shrinkage. It becomes increasingly difficult to them in your mouth if there is not enough bone to support it.

    2. Poorly Made Dentures

    If cheap materials are used, or if shortcuts are taken in constructing them, they won’t fit well. It’s common to experience problems with bargain dentures.

    3. Improper Fit

    Impressions of your mouth are taken to make a denture base that fits securely in your mouth. If there was a mistake in making or lining them, they can easily slip off. A skilled dentist or prosthodontist will try in a model of the prosthesis to ensure it fits right before your final dentures are made.

    4. Old Dentures

    As they age, they won’t fit well. Usually, they need to be replaced every five to eight years. If your prosthesis is getting loose before that time, the age of it probably isn’t the cause of them falling out when you sneeze.

    5. Damage

    If your dentures have been damaged, exposed to extreme heat or extreme cold, or improperly stored, it can cause them to lose their shape and not fit correctly.

    How to Prevent Dentures from Falling Out When You Sneeze

    If you’ve worn dentures for 16 years, it’s likely that the problem is due to jawbone shrinkage. When your jawbone starts to shrink, even a new appliance will loosen with time. Replacing them every two years is not the answer. What can be done?

    • As few as two dental implants can be used to stabilize your dentures and prevent them from falling out. The implants will lift them off your jawbone, stimulate the bone, and decrease shrinkage.
    • Increase the number of dental implants, and you’ll have even more stability.
    • We suggest that before you get new dentures, get a second opinion. Visit at least one skilled implant dentist or prosthodontist for an examination. The dentist will identify the issue and let you know your options.

    Implant-supported dentures make it easier to eat, speak, and even sneeze without anxiety or embarrassment.

    This post is sponsored by Naperville award-winning implant dentist and board-certified prosthodontist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

    When dentures don’t fit anymore or keep falling out

    By Dentures No Comments

    My dentures don’t fit anymore. They have been relined at least 5 times but they are still loose. My dentist doesn’t seem to be concerned. He just keeps relining them. I’m worried that the dentures will need to be relined so many times that I will wish I had just gotten a new set. Is this normal? I’ve been wearing dentures for about 16 year now. Maybe there is a certain brand of dentures that is known for fitting better. If so will you please let me know about it? Thanks. James

    James,

    When all of your teeth are missing—even if you wear dentures—your jawbone begins to shrink. This happens regardless of the brand of dentures you receive. Missing teeth are a signal to the body that bone is no longer needed in those places, so your body resorbs the bone and uses the minerals from it elsewhere.

    After fifteen to twenty years of jawbone shrinkage, there is no longer bone to support your facial muscles, and you experience facial collapse. Jawbone shrinkage also makes it difficult to keep dentures in your mouth. You may find them slipping more often, even falling out.

    The slippage of dentures and jawbone shrinkage can be prevented by securing your dentures with dental implants. Snap-on dentures secure dentures with just two dental implants. But there are other options available.

    The cost for securing your dentures is per implant, but thee more implants used, the more secure your dentures will be. You will quickly notice that with implants, it is easier to eat and speak with dentures. They will feel more like your natural teeth.

     

    This post is sponsored by Naperville implant dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

    Some facts about immediate dentures

    By Dentures

    My mom needs dentures. She has horrible periodontal disease and it’s making her breath smell awful. I went with her to her dental appointment. She has already lost 8 teeth and more are coming out. The dentist was talking too fast and mumbled something about dentures and he said something about an immediate denture. Now I have to find out for my mom what he was talking about. So what is an immediate denture and what can you tell us about them? Do you have any helpful information for us? Thanks. Natasha

    Natasha – An immediate denture is a complete removable denture that is placed the same day natural teeth are removed.

    What You Should Know about Immediate Dentures

    • One of the obvious advantages is that the dentures are placed immediately. Your grandmother won’t have to spend a day without teeth. Before her teeth are removed, it’s easier to make the denture teeth in a shape similar and size to her natural teeth.
    • They dentures cost more than traditional dentures.
    • More time is needed to construct them.
    • Because an immediate denture is made before all of the teeth are extracted, as the gums heal, the dentures will become loose and need to be refitted—perhaps several times. At times, the dentures can be relined, or it is possible that a new denture may be needed.

    Four to five visits may be required to make an immediate denture. In some cases, if there are back teeth that need to be extracted, they are removed in advance of the date the dentures are placed to allow healing time. Otherwise, the dentures would irritate the gums.

    Ensure Your Questions about Dentures Are Answered

    If you have additional questions about your mother’s options, schedule a visit to her dentist to discuss them. It’s important that you are clear about the treatment options before a final decision is made. It’s okay to ask her dentist to speak slowly so you understand the options.

    You should also ask about the treatment plan for your mother’s periodontal disease. Get a second or third opinion if you don’t receive satisfactory information from her dentist.

    One option you may want to read about on LaVacca’s site is securing dentures with dental implants. This will make your mother’s dentures stable so they won’t slip around or fall out.

    This post is sponsored by American Board certified prosthodontist and Naperville implant dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

     

    How do you soft line a denture?

    By Dentures No Comments

    Will you please tell me how to soft line a denture? My dentures are only 2 years old and my dentist has soft lined them 6 times. The dentures are still loose and they fall out if I breathe too hard. I’m very frustrated about this whole thing, I am hungry and I am so disappointed with this whole process. I’m beginning to wonder of I need to scrap the whole thing and insist on new dentures from my dentist. Before I give up though, I want to try to reline them myself. He hasn’t done anything right so what do I have to lose? Can you please give me soft lining step-by-step instructions or tell me where I can look online preferably for a reliable video? If not, written instructions will do. Thank you in advance for your help. Clarke

    Clarke – We’re sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience with your dentures. It is clear that soft lining your dentures isn’t the answer. When dentures continue to be lose and fall out, there are several possible causes.

    Why Dentures Might Be Too Loose

    There are many factors that can cause your oral appliance to loosen. Some reasons are listed below.

    • Jawbone shrinkage occurs after years of wearing dentures. As the bone shrinks, dentures will loosen.
    • Improper impressions of your teeth or bony ridge were taken, so the dentures don’t fit correctly.
    • The denture border is too wide, too long, or too short.
    • The base of the denture might be defective.

    Is Soft Lining Them Really the Solution?

    Your bony ridge and dentures need to be examined. Your dentist can determine if the problem is the result of jawbone shrinkage or the construction of the dentures.

    If you decide to get a second opinion, find a prosthodontist or experienced dentist to examine the dentures and tell if they are being correctly relined. It is possible that you will need dentures.

    If you need new dentures, consider having them secured with dental implants. Dental implants add stability to dentures and prevent them from slipping around or falling out. They also prevent bone shrinkage. If you have excessive jawbone shrinkage, grafting might be needed to build up the bone before implants can be placed.

    This post is sponsored by Naperville prosthodontist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

     

    Will dentures flush down the toilet?

    By Dentures

    Will dentures flush down the toilet? I’m serious. That’s all these dentures are worth and I don’t want to see them again. I need to start all over. The denture center ripped me off. My gums hurt but the dentures are too loose. Does that make any sense? I just don’t want to cause any plumbing problems when I flush them. I want to be sure they will go straight to the sewer. To say I’m furious is an understatement. I only wear them when I have to leave the house and I’ve been staying in more than usual because of the frustration. Can I flush them straight down the toilet or do I have to go out and find a sewage drain to thrown them in? Malcom

    Malcom – Your frustration is clear and understandable. But it’s not safe for your plumbing system to flush your dentures down the toilet. They would cause you even more trouble and money, and make you angrier. Before you throw your dentures out, we have a few questions you should consider.

    • How old are your dentures? – If they are new, don’t throw them out. They might need to be relined or remade. New oral appliances should have a warranty. If your dentures are more than five years old, depending on the quality, it might be time to replace them.
    • Did you purchase budget or high-quality dentures? – Were your dentures unusually inexpensive? If so, poor quality oral appliances don’t last long. If you received high-quality dentures, perhaps the bite is off, they need to be relined, or they should be remade.
    • What adjustments have been made to give them a better fit? – Have you taken the dentures back to the dental center? If not, ask for them to be examined, and describe the issues you are having. If they are still under warranty, they should be corrected with little or no cost to you.
    • When did you first start wearing dentures? – Depending on how long you’ve been wearing them, you might have experienced jawbone shrinkage. Bone shrinkage naturally occurs after many years of missing all of your teeth and wearing dentures. If that’s the case, it won’t be long before new dentures loosen. Implant overdentures will provide more stability and give you a better fit.

    Before You Toss Your Dentures

    Throwing your dentures away will leave you without a way to eat and speak correctly. Ensure you at least receive a temporary solution before you get rid of them altogether. Visit an experienced prosthodontist or implant dentist for an accurate assessment of what needs to be done to ensure you receive dentures that look natural and function well.

    This post is sponsored by American board-certified prosthodontist and implant dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca of Naperville, IL.

    Will my duck lips from dentures be permanent?

    By Dentures

    I got new dentures 4 months ago and from day one they gave me duck lips. These dentures have totally changed my face, especially my profile. I have been back to the dentist 3 times because I hate the way the dentures look. The first 2 times she took them for adjustment, but I am not sure that anything at all was done because they look exactly the same to me. She even told me that some women pay for fuller lips. The problem is that these dentures don’t just give me fuller lips. They give me duck lips. My lips look abnormally large and are not proportioned. This is very emotional for me. I already wasn’t totally happy with my facial appearance but my previous dentures were pretty good. I got the former dentures when I lived in Elk Grove, CA by a fabulous dentist who really was concerned about her work. This new dentist pretends to be concerned or maybe she is concerned but just doesn’t know what she is doing. So now I am trying to figure out how long I can go with these dentures before I have permanent duck lips. I don’t want to make a hasty decision, but I am really skeptical about letting this dentist do the work. I don’t like to switch dentists but I think I will have to in order to resolve this issue. How much time do I have before the damage is done? – Dorcas

    Dorcas – If your dentures are giving you duck lips, correcting the dentures will also correct your facial appearance. There should be no permanent damage, but for your comfort and confidence, you should get the issue taken care of quickly.

    Depending on the skill of the dentist, dentures can change the shape of your face in a positive or in a negative way. If your dentures are giving you duck lips, there are a few possible causes:

    1. Denture teeth are too long or too thick – The denture teeth can be trimmed to compliment your facial appearance.
    2. Denture teeth are incorrectly angled – They can be removed from the base and repositioned.
    3. There is too much lining in the dentures – The lining can be replaced.

    We recommend that you get a second opinion from an experienced prosthodontist. He or she will examine your dentures to determine what is causing the “duck lips” appearance. A prosthodontist with experience in cosmetic dentistry will restore your smile and facial appearance, and improve your confidence.

    This post is sponsored by Naperville prosthodontist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

     

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