What is dentures?
A dental prosthesis (or denture) is an appliance designed to take over the functions that your own teeth had as best as possible. Teeth and molars are very important for chewing and speaking. In addition, they are important for the initial appearance of your appearance. To make a dental prosthesis completely appropriate for you, it is necessary to go through a number of steps.
The roadmap
Step 1: The first printout
The size of the upper and/or lower jaw is taken so that an impression can be made. To do this, a spoon is used that fits as snugly as possible into which a doughy pink filling is placed (peppermint-flavored). This is placed in the mouth, after which the filling is allowed to set. The impression of your jaw can now be seen. In addition, an impression of your old upper denture is taken and, in consultation with the assistant and the dentist, you will pick the color of your new teeth. This appointment takes about 30 minutes.
Step 2: Another impression of your jaws
There is a special fitting tray prepared in the laboratory. An ointment-like blue paste is put into this and another impression of your jaw is made. The impression of your jaw can thus be reproduced even more precisely. The paste turns into a rubbery substance in the mouth and has no taste. If you have implants, some kind of attachments are built up, which go along with the impression. This treatment takes about 30 minutes.
Step 3: The height determination
The height of the dentures is now determined. You will feel as if you already have teeth in your mouth and you will bite down differently. Different colored wax layers are applied to the laboratory-made spoon. The dentist measures the shape and position of the jaw and mouth in relation to the eyes so that the denture will not be crooked. The appointment takes about 30 minutes.
Step 4: Measuring jaw movement.
In this 30-minute appointment, you will receive the fitting model in your mouth. The dentist measures the movement of your jaw from left to right, as well as the movement from front to back, so that when the teeth are aligned, the movements can be mimicked. An ointment-like pink paste (as in step 2) is injected between the upper and lower model. If necessary, the alignment of the front teeth is checked and adjusted if necessary.
Step 5: Preliminary fitting model
The preliminary fitting model, with the teeth set in wax, is ready. The model is placed in the mouth and you can look in the mirror to see what you think of the color, shape and position of the teeth. As far as these three things are concerned, anything can still be changed. It is very important that someone comes with you today who knows you well and can decide with you whether the new denture looks as natural as possible. The model is completely loose in the mouth because the fit still needs to be adjusted. The fitting takes about 15 minutes. If one fitting may not be sufficient, a second fitting appointment will follow. If necessary, existing attachments are sent along to the laboratory. The old denture is now loose in the mouth for another week. If a bridge (bar) is made between the implants, it takes at least 10 working days from the fitting until the denture is ready.
Step 6: The new dentures
Your new dentures are ready. It takes getting used to; it feels different, you look different and you may talk a little differently than you are used to. You will get used to talking with the new dentures faster if you read the newspaper aloud to yourself, for example. At night, you should leave the denture out so that the gums can rest. Changes that may occur temporarily are: more or less saliva, different taste, talking and eating differently, feeling pressure spots.
You clean the denture with ordinary soap and a denture brush or nail brush. Toothpaste and Steradent® are very bad for denture preservation and you should avoid using these products when cleaning your dentures. Once a week, put the denture in kitchen vinegar or diluted cleaning vinegar overnight. Then brush it off under running water. To avoid falling and thereby breaking the denture, it is best to make sure you have a soft surface or a sink filled with water.
Step 7: Verification
You will return for check-ups. It is normal for some pressure spots to have formed under the prosthesis. This may require some grinding of the prosthesis. It is possible that you will experience more pressure spots. You can then remove the prosthesis and make an appointment by phone with the Center for Special Dentistry to have the problem corrected. Please make sure that you have retained the denture 24 hours before your appointment. Otherwise, the dentist cannot see exactly where the pressure points are. If you have dentures, you should come back at least once a year for a check-up with your own dentist or prosthodontist. It does not matter whether or not the denture is placed on implants. If you have implants, smoking remains prohibited.
Any questions?
It is important to us that your questions are answered before treatment takes place. If you still have questions, you can always contact the reception desk of your practice and, if desired, an additional consultation appointment can be made before treatment. You can also visit our website www.ddtp.nl for more detailed information about root canal treatment.
Sincerely,
The Delft Dental Practice
0152023397
receptie@ddtp.nl