Del Mar Dentures

New Dentures in Del Mar

Am I A Candidate For Dentures? 

Dentures are removable prostheses that replace missing teeth with artificial teeth attached to a gum-colored base. They are available as partial dentures which replace only a few missing teeth or as full dentures which complete an entire arch or both arches of teeth. 
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A good candidate for dentures would be someone who is in good overall and oral health with no present tooth decay or gum disease. Dentures from our Del Mar dental practice are a great option for people that are missing teeth and are not suitable for dental implants because of inadequate jaw bone density. Dentures can help assist with chewing, speaking, and restoring your smile.
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We do not recommend full dentures for patients who are only missing a few teeth as they require the extraction of all remaining teeth in the mouth. We do, however, recommend dentures for patients who are looking for a cost-effective and timely option to restore their teeth. Contact us at Del Mar Dental Studio today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Pizzi.

Unique Denture Options

Types Of Dentures We Provide

Full - A full or complete denture restores one or both arches of teeth. All of the patient’s remaining teeth will first need to be extracted and fully healed before the placement of the official dentures. Temporary dentures will be worn for the 8-12 week healing period. These dentures are held in place through suction. 
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Partial - A partial denture is an alternative to a fixed bridge to replace one or a few missing teeth when the patient still has the majority of their healthy teeth. They are typically attached through a metal framework and clip onto metal clasps placed on the natural abutment teeth.

What to Expect

The Denture Placement Process

The process begins with a consultation where Dr. Todd Pizzi will examine your mouth and take x-rays of your teeth. Once we’ve ruled out any oral health problems and determined you to be a good candidate for dentures, we’ll take impressions of your teeth and send them to the dental lab that will construct your dentures. 
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Additional measurements, such as a jaw record, will be sent along with your impressions so the lab technicians can account for the way your bite fits together and for the size of your jaw. If receiving full dentures, all of the patient’s teeth will be extracted and a temporary immediate denture will be placed. 
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There will then be a trial fitting of your dentures to test how they feel and fit in your mouth. If any adjustments need to be made, we will take note of the changes that need to be made and send them back to the dental lab. At your final appointment in our Del Mar practice, we will fit the official dentures. It is still possible for additional adjustments to be made if necessary. 

Get Comfortable with Dentures

How To Get Used To New Dentures

It takes about 30 days to get used to the way your dentures feel in your mouth and adjust to speaking and chewing with them. These tips can help you feel more comfortable and get used to using your teeth like normal. Many of the temporary discomfort and other symptoms are caused by your body detecting a foreign object in the mouth and trying to compensate for it.
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Salivation -  You may experience increased salivation during the first month. You can help alleviate this by sucking on a mint or candy which will encourage swallowing. Sugary and sour foods may trigger increased salivation. Another way to reduce excess saliva is to rinse your mouth with a lukewarm saltwater solution.
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Tenderness/Discomfort - While you get used to your dentures sitting on your gums, it's normal to feel sore as your gums get used to the pressure. This should resolve itself within a few days and in the meantime can be alleviated with anti-inflammatory pain medication. If it persists, however, you may have ill-fitting dentures and need to have them adjusted in Del Mar.
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Pronunciation - Denture-wearing patients at first struggle to pronounce “f” and “s” sounds. The best way to improve your pronunciation and speak more clearly is to practice speaking out loud, especially with the sounds you struggle with the most. 
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You may also sound louder than normal because the dentures have altered the way sound travels from your mouth. However, others won't notice it as much as you do and you will get used to it.
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Eating - It’s important to start out eating only soft foods. This will help you get used to the chewing motions and won't dislodge your dentures or cause severe soreness. Over time, you can start increasing more toothsome foods.

How to

Properly Care For Dentures

A denture will help restore missing tooth structure, functionality, and your smile. With all of the advantages a denture can provide, it’s important to care for it properly to avoid damage or premature replacement. 

Begin by taking your dentures out of your mouth and rinsing them under some warm but not hot water. Keep your denture clean by regularly brushing the surfaces of the denture with a soft bristle toothbrush and denture cleaning solution to remove food particles and bacteria buildup. 

You should clean them like this twice a day, in the morning and at night. If you wear a partial denture and have existing natural teeth, brush and floss these teeth before putting the denture back in. 

For full denture wearers, you should also clean your mouth even if you don’t have any teeth. Gently brush your tongue, gums, and inside tissues with a soft toothbrush or wipe them with gauze. Always rinse the dentures before putting them back in your mouth. It’s also a good idea to rinse them out after eating and drinking to dislodge some food particles.

Dentures need to be soaked overnight to retain their moisture and prevent cracking. Place them in a glass submerged in denture solution overnight. Avoid wearing your dentures overnight, as this will cause bacteria to build up in your dentures and in your mouth, increasing your risk for oral health problems. Avoid exposing your dentures to hot or boiling water, which will warp them and cause them to no longer fit.

Foods to Avoid

with Dentures

Sticky Foods - Chewing sticky foods like caramel, toffee, or gum can dislodge your dentures, and become trapped in them. You may end up with damaged dentures that require early replacement or food particles will stick to the dentures and be very difficult to remove, which can increase your risk for oral health problems.

‍Hard & Crunchy Foods - Dentures are not as durable as your natural teeth, so chewing on hard and crunchy foods like corn on the cob, apples, raw carrots, nuts, and seeds can degrade your dentures and cause uneven chewing distribution which can cause irritation.

‍Tough Meats - Your dentures are not as efficient at chewing motions as your natural teeth so it is very difficult for your dentures to sufficiently chew tough meats for you to safely swallow. 

It will take a lot more chewing and effort to chew these foods which can place a lot of force on your gums, leading to sores, pain, and irritation. It can also cause your dentures to wear down. You should either cut these foods into very small pieces and chew them very carefully or eat ground or slow-cooked meats instead.

‍Staining Foods & Drinks - Your tooth-colored dentures can become discolored over time, just like your natural teeth can. However, unlike your natural teeth, dentures can’t be whitened, which is why prevention is so important. 

You should avoid or limit your exposure to staining foods and drinks and cut out all tobacco products. Tea, coffee, red wine, berries, and dark sauces are big staining culprits. After eating, rinse your mouth out.

Am I A Good Candidate

For Dentures?