Six percent of U.S. adults, or about 18.5 million people, wear partial dentures.
to worry about cavities,” said Ron Moser, D.D.S., a prosthodontist in Bowie. “But you lose a lot of basic things that affect both function and enjoyment.” Food might taste bland. “You don’t just have taste buds on your tongue,” said Moser. “The floor of the mouth, the roof of the mouth and the gums, areas covered by the denture, also add to your sense of taste.” With gums and palate somewhat encased, a loss of temperature sensation may occur. “I tell patients to use their tongue,” Moser said. “Otherwise they might put it in their mouth and burn their throat.” Chewing consistency is different. “There’s not the same firmness,” he said. “You don’t have the same ability to tear into a sandwich.” Speech can be impaired, at least temporarily. It’s not unusual for new denture wearers to have to practice speaking and eating, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). That said, dentures are a lifesaver for individuals who have lost teeth. A complete denture replaces all teeth on the upper or lower jaw. A partial denture fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, preventing surrounding teeth from shifting position. SOME 18.5 MILLION PEOPLE, OR ABOUT 6 PERCENT
of the adult population, wear partial dentures, according to a 2013 survey by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare. Partials generally are preferable to complete dentures. “The idea is to retain as many natural teeth as possible,” said Doerrer. Their presence helps prevent the erosion of bone in the jaw. Partial dentures usually consist of replacement teeth attached to a pink, gum-colored plastic base. “Partials also can be made of metal with clasps that attach to [adjacent] teeth,” said Moser. “The advantage to metal is that it is stronger and can be thinner.” However, in cases where the lifespan of surrounding teeth is short, “we use plastic. You can add onto plastic but not metal.” When partial dentures are fixed in the mouth, they are referred to as bridges. Bridges, which look and feel more like natural teeth, are more expensive than a removable partial denture, according to the Aetna Inc. website Simple Steps to Better Dental Health. Partial and complete dentures are custommade and require several office visits for an impression to be taken; to determine the size, shape and shade of the teeth; and to “try in”
a model of the denture to verify bite, according to the prosthodontists. Then the denture is fabricated. “Dentures are now being digitally made,” said Doerrer, “which makes them more accurate.” THOSE REQUIRING A COMPLETE DENTURE MAY
need to visit an oral surgeon to have teeth removed. In such instances, the first denture crafted is known as an “immediate,” or temporary, denture and will be used for most of the first year. While swelling from the tooth extraction will begin to subside within 72 hours, it takes about four weeks for the gum and up to 10 months for the bone in the jaw to heal, according to Moser. As the gum and bone shrink during the healing process, the immediate denture will need to be relined—which
HOW TO CARE FOR R DENTURES ES Dentures may not get cavities, but they do require cleaning. Proper cleaning helps keep the mouth and gums healthy and prolong dentures’ life span. n
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Not only can you pick the size and shape of your replacement
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teeth, but “you have the ability to select the shade of your teeth.” involves putting a new surface on the part of the denture that fits against the gum—to ensure a proper fit. Pressure or slippage due to ill-fitting dentures can cause sore spots. “I have an unlimited open-door policy when it comes to adjustments,” said Moser. Because there is no way to predict how much shrinkage will ultimately occur, a new or “complete” denture will eventually need to be made. There is generally an additional charge for a complete denture. Moser puts the cost of complete dentures in Prince George’s County at $1,200-$1,500 per upper or lower arch and up to $3,000 for a full set. WHILE THE NORMAL LIFE SPAN FOR DENTURES
is five to 10 years, according to the ADA, replacement timetables vary widely. Over time, dentures may need to be relined, a procedure that adds new material to the area touching the gums, or rebased, a procedure continued on 18
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Handle dentures carefully. Avoid bending or damaging the plastic or the metal clasps when cleaning. To prevent breakage should your dentures drop, stand over a clean, folded towel or a sink full of water. Remove and rinse dentures with water after eating to get rid of food particles. Clean any natural teeth, once dentures have been removed, with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Use gauze or a soft toothbrush to clean the tongue and palate and to massage and clean the gums. Scrub dentures at least once a day with a denture cleaner, mild soap or dishwashing liquid. Use a denture brush or soft toothbrush to remove food and tartar and reduce stains. Avoid harsh or abrasive cleansers or stiff-bristled brushes, which can scratch or damage the dentures. Remove dentures each night and allow the gums to rest. “Just like you don’t wear cowboy boots to bed—you give your feet a break—you don’t wear dentures to bed,” said Ron Moser, D.D.S., a prosthodontist in Bowie. “All that weight on the gums takes a toll on tissue and crimps circulation. Nighttime is when the gums recover.” Soak dentures overnight; do not let them sit out. When dentures dry out, they can lose their shape, crack or break. Use a mild denture solution or, according to Moser, a half-and-half solution of water and mouthwash “so the dentures feel fresh in the morning.” Denture soaks containing chlorine, while effective in eliminating stains, should not be used every night. Avoid chlorinated soaking solutions if dentures have metal attachments, as the metal may tarnish. Rinse dentures in the morning, before placing in your mouth, to remove chemical residue. - KAREN FINUCAN CLARKSON
SOURCES: RON MOSER, D.D.S., A PROSTHODONTIST IN BOWIE; CHRISTOPHER J. DOERRER, D.D.S., A PROSTHODONTIST IN MITCHELLVILLE; THE MAYO CLINIC; NIH MEDLINEPLUS
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Spring 2014 | Gazette Health 15