Find the Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Dentures & Implants
At Beddington Denture Centre in Calgary, we appreciate that understanding the steps to optimal oral health can be confusing and overwhelming. On this page you will find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding dentures and implants.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dentures:
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I broke my dentures in two pieces. Can it be glued back together?
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I had dentures made some time ago, but they are very thick, bulky and uncomfortable. What can I do?
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Can I have an upper denture made without covering the roof of my mouth?
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I wear an upper denture and when I talk or smile I show too much teeth. Can this be fixed?
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What are the requirements to qualify for Dental Assistance for Seniors Programs?
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How can I find out if I am registered or eligible for this program?
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Where can I get an application to apply for Dental Assistance for Seniors Plan 101?
Frequently Asked Questions about Implants
Why is it important to have dentures?
Tooth loss is a very common problem, and there are millions of people throughout North America who wear dentures. Tooth loss can detrimentally impact a person’s quality of life by causing physical, mental, emotional and social stress. With the loss of natural teeth, people not only lose their ability to chew properly but also lose facial muscle support, which can affect their smile and appearance significantly. A person’s ability to speak clearly can also be impacted from the loss of natural teeth. This often leads to social anxiety and embarrassment. Improperly chewed food can cause digestive and other health problems and may result in a great deal of stress. When dentures are ill-fitting or worn down, it can also lead to many of these same problems and ailments. Properly fitted dentures are a very important part of our overall health and quality of life.
Who are denturists?
Denturists are the professionals who are trained to custom-fit your denture based on your individual and unique requirements. Denturists only provide dentures and denture related services and do not work on natural teeth. Although, they often work in collaboration with a patient’s dentist to ensure that overall oral health is achieved. Denturists can give you that “personalized” look of yours that will keep you smiling. Finding a good denturist who understands your needs and who can provide excellent care and service is important. So, don’t wait any longer if you have any missing teeth, call our office today!
How often should I replace my dentures?
Our oral tissues are always changing, and therefore dentures don’t fit the same way as they did when they were made. Aside from the gradual changing of tissues, denture base materials and teeth are subject to normal wear and tear resulting in uneven pressure when biting, difficulty with chewing, sore mouth and collapsed facial appearance. Relines can be done to fill the tissue-side of dentures to compensate for gum shrinkage and to make them tighter, but the wear on the teeth can only be corrected by replacing them. The frequency of having your dentures relined or replaced varies from person to person depending on a range of factors. In general, relines are suggested about every two years, whereas denture replacement is recommended every five years. If your dentures are causing you discomfort, please give us a call.
How do I know if I need relines or new dentures?
Usually, if you notice that your dentures are loose, they move freely, food gets underneath them, you get sores but they still chew well and the denture base is in good condition, then a reline may be required. But, if the dentures are old, teeth are worn and don’t chew well then it may be time to replace them. The best way to find out what is needed is to see a professional, such as your denturist, to have proper checkup and evaluation of your dentures and to have the required work done.
I broke my dentures in two pieces. Can it be glued back together?
Dentures should never be glued together because glue can be toxic and it may not hold the pieces together for long. In fact, trying to repair your dentures with glue can affect a denturist’s ability to perform a proper repair on the dentures. If your dentures break, the best thing to do is to bring all the pieces in to your denturist for a proper repair.
I had dentures made some time ago, but they are very thick, bulky and uncomfortable. What can I do?
Dentures are custom made and hand-crafted appliances made to fit your mouth. If the thickness of your dentures is causing you discomfort, call Beddington Denture Centre and we can discuss options to reduce the thickness and polish it to your satisfaction.
Can I have an upper denture made without covering the roof of my mouth?
Yes. It is possible if you have implants to hold and support your denture. Implant supported dentures are a popular choice because they are sturdy, don’t cover the roof of your mouth, and can also be removed for cleaning and at night. To learn more about implant supported dentures, give our practice a call.
Is it okay to use adhesive to hold dentures?
Adhesives are a temporary solution to hold loose dentures in place and should not to be used for any extended period of time. If your dentures are loose due to oral changes then you should see our denturists to have an evaluation. A reline, rebase or replacement may be recommended. If your denture is loose due to a lack of bone support then implants should be considered as an option.
I wear an upper denture and when I talk or smile I show too much teeth. Can this be fixed?
There are various factors that can affect your smile, and there are times when dentures can affect your smile negatively by showing too much teeth. For example, if the overall vertical height of the denture is raised too much, if the front teeth are set too low or too far out, or if the acrylic flanges are too thick, it can result in excessive tooth exposure. In most situations, the problem can be fixed by resettling the teeth or by remaking the denture. But in cases when your ridge bone is big and low and teeth can’t be pushed up or in, surgical reduction of the ridge may be required. A denturist can evaluate and suggest the right treatment option after evaluating your case.
I am missing some posterior teeth on my lower jaw but my front teeth are all good and I don’t want to have them pulled. What are my options?
There are various options to replace a partially edentulous arch. If you have strong supporting teeth in the front and in the back of the arch, then fixed crown bridge units can be an option, however if there is no support on the back end, then fixed crowns or a partial denture supported by implants, or a regular partial denture without implants are all possible options.
What metal is used for making cast partial dentures?
Normally cast partial dentures are made of chromium-cobalt alloys but there are other materials and alloys that are commonly used as well, such as gold, titanium and vitallium.
My lower front teeth have worn down and my dentist said I can’t have crowns on them because they are too short. Can I get a partial lower denture for my missing lower back teeth?
It is hard to say without properly examining your mouth. But, if you are missing lower back teeth and only have front teeth remaining that are too short for crowns, then partial lower dentures may not be an appropriate option for you.
I have a complete upper denture that is only three years old and it has a hole in the back where my lower natural tooth contacts it. I had it repaired once but it didn’t last. Do you have any solutions?
This is a very common problem in cases where one may have a complete upper denture with natural teeth on the lower jaw. This issue occurs due to a lack of space between the upper gum tissues and the lower tooth (usually last molar). Due to this insufficient space, the denture is very thin in that area and wears out quickly from constant contact from that lower tooth. Repairs are only a temporary solution because the lower tooth will wear it out again and that area can’t be made thicker otherwise you won’t be able to bite properly. Possible solutions include having a denture made at an increased height to keep your jaws further apart or to have that lower tooth modified or shave down to allow more space and to prevent contact.
My lower dentures are loose and floating. Is there anything that can be done to make them stay in place?
Most people complain about their lower dentures being loose and floating, and it is a very common problem. Lower dentures are very different from the upper dentures as usually there is no suction on the lower dentures because of where the denture sits on the gums. The lower denture sits on the same part of the gums that are connected to your tongue and cheek muscles, therefore when your tongue and cheek muscles move, they move the denture with it. Loose and moving dentures can cause lots of problems such as irritation and soreness of gums, food getting underneath the denture, improperly chewed food and difficulty with speech, which can result in health problems, reduced confidence, embarrassment and social anxiety. The problem gets worse when the gum bone or ridge gets very low and resorbed and provides no retention or support to the denture. Shrinkage of resorption of the bone is a normal process that starts when you get your teeth extracted and continues throughout your life.
There is a solution to make those loose dentures fit tight and to keep them in place so that one can chew properly without any pain, discomfort or embarrassment, and that solution is implants. Dental implants can secure lower dentures in place even if there is no ridge support. With implants the denture is not relying on the ridge for support but instead implants hold that denture in place and they hold it tight enough that the cheek and tongue muscles cannot push or move that denture and one can chew the food and enjoy life with confidence.
I am a senior on a fixed income and I need new dentures. Does the government pay for dentures for seniors?
The Alberta government has a dental assistance program (Plan 101) that covers some basic dental services for eligible seniors only. To be eligible you have to meet some requirements and if you don’t meet all the requirements then you may not qualify for this program. This is an income-based program with maximum coverage available to low income seniors who are the most in need. Seniors with moderate incomes may get only partial financial assistance. This program can cover up to $5,000 per person every five years, but there are some limitations and exclusions. Even services that are covered can be subject to limitations on how often these services can be provided, and how much the government will subsidize those services.
What are the requirements to qualify for Dental Assistance for Seniors Programs?
To qualify for this program you must be 65 years or older, must be in the qualifying income bracket, live in Alberta at least 3 months prior to registration and you must be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant.
How can I find out if I am registered or eligible for this program?
When you come to our clinic with your Alberta Healthcare Card, we can help to check your eligibility for this program through the Blue Cross information service (available to dental professionals). You can also phone Blue Cross and ask if you are registered or eligible for Plan 101.
Where can I get an application to apply for Dental Assistance for Seniors Plan 101?
You can find this application online at www.seniors.gov.ab.ca or you can phone 1-800-642-3853 and ask them to send you an application to register for this program. The seniors website will provide you with all the information about this dental assistance program, including the qualifying income range. You can also come see us and we will be happy to assist you.
I phoned around to check cost of new dentures and found a wide range of prices. Why is there such a big variation in the prices?
The price of dentures can vary based on a range of factors. It could depend on what type of dentures they are, what sort of steps are involved in their fabrication, the quality of materials used, how difficult the case is, and if any special procedures are required. Some dentures may require a lot more time and effort than others and therefore may cost more.
My mother had some dentures made recently and she paid quite a bit more money than one of her friends. She said that she selected more expensive dentures because they are more accurate. Could that be true?
Yes, there are different types of denture options available today. Most people think that all dentures are made the same but that is not the case. Two sets of dentures - a standard and an equilibrated set - may look similar but may function very differently in your mouth based on the details recorded during the denture fabrication process. Your mother probably had an equilibrated set made, which costs more than a standard set due to the additional work required.
What are equilibrated dentures and who makes them?
There are two main types of dentures: standard and equilibrated. Standard dentures are made by following some basic standard procedures. These dentures are made by taking impressions and some other measurements from your mouth, but angles of your jaw movements are assumed to be standard or average. Equilibrated dentures, on the other hand, are made by measuring your actual jaw movement angles for greater accuracy and stability during function. In other words, equilibrated dentures are standard dentures that are further customized for optimum fit, comfort and precision.
What are dental implants and how do they work?
Dental implants are small pins or posts, made of titanium, that are placed on the jawbone to support one or more missing teeth. Implants work by acting as a root to hold or attach the artificial tooth, bridge or denture to the jawbone.
What are the advantages of dental implants?
Implants have many advantages over some other restoration options including but are not limited to the following:
- Preserve teeth: implants don’t need the support of neighbouring teeth, like crowns and bridges do. This is because they are fixed in the jawbone, which is beneficial because there is no grinding or damage to neighbouring teeth.
- Improve chewing and health: implants allow you to chew and eat food more naturally and comfortably, which allows you to eat things like raw vegetables and meats. Being able to expand your diet to include these often hard to chew items can have a range of health benefits.
- Better aesthetics: Implants replace missing teeth and support facial musculature to give you a natural and enhanced look. With implants supported dentures, you can avoid clasps, flanges and palatal coverage, creating a more pleasing aesthetic and enhanced comfort.
- More comfort: with implant supported dentures, your dentures don’t rest or push on the gum tissues, resulting in minimal or no sore spots and a more comfortable prosthesis.
- Increased confidence: with rejuvenated facial musculature, a natural looking smile, secure prosthetic teeth, improved speech and better chewing, implant supported dentures are a great way to regain confidence.
How long do implants last?
If your overall health and oral condition are favourable, the implants can last a lifetime.
Is it painful to get implants?
Placement of implants is a surgical procedure, so just like any other surgical procedure, you may experience pain for a few days, but once healed they feel fine. In most cases, it could be a simple process and can be compared to a tooth extraction in regards to pain and discomfort.
Can anybody have implants?
A patient with the right oral conditions and good general health would be an appropriate candidate for implants. If a patient has chronic illness, medical conditions or periodontal disease, then implants may not be an appropriate solution for someone who is missing teeth. Some conditions can affect or slow down the healing process and may require additional healing time.
How long is the process?
Implants are placed into the bone where they slowly bond to the jawbone over time. This bonding of implant and bone normally takes between 3 to 4 months. Once bonded, the implants are attached to an artificial tooth, bridge or denture. With today’s improvements in technology, it’s possible to get implants that can have attachments applied the same day as surgery.
What kind of care is needed after the implant has been inserted?
Implants are just like having your own teeth so they require the same type of care. Yearly checkups and cleanings are recommended and daily brushing and flossing are also very important.
If someone doesn’t have enough jaw bone, can they still have implants?
Besides good general health, adequate bone is required to support implants. If you don’t have enough jawbone then an additional bone grafting procedure may be required to build up the bone prior to placing the implants.
