So, you’re about to become a new denture wearer. Congratulations! The good news? You’ll be getting your smile, and probably, some much-needed confidence back. Yet, getting dentures for the first time is a huge step, and it’s totally normal for people to have more questions than answers.
At Mint Dental, we’re all about giving our Anchorage patients the right information to make a fully informed decision, so that’s what this blog post aims to do. So without further ado, let’s get into what to expect when getting dentures for the first time and how it will change/affect your life.
Dentures Are Not Like They Used To Be
If you imagine dentures to look like those clunky old appliances your gran or grandpa used to wear, you couldn’t be further from the truth. Today’s dentures are sleek, lightweight, and made using fully customizable acrylic resin or polymers, alongside specialized composite or porcelain to blend in for a more natural look.
Nowadays, when patients require dentures, they can choose from either partial, full, or implant-supported varieties, which are far more lifelike than you imagine. Moreover, at Mint Dental here in Anchorage, our in-house lab allows us to achieve precise customization in regard to color, shape, and fit. In other words, we guarantee your smile will look natural, not false.
What To Expect When Eating
If you’re worried about what you can and can’t eat with dentures, don’t worry, we have you covered. Here’s what you need to know…
For the first few days, when adjusting to dentures, you may want to stick to softer foods. That doesn’t mean you need to have a liquid or blended food diet; it just means you need to avoid overly sticky, hard, or crunchy food that may cause damage to your denture. This includes food like:
- Nuts
- Raw carrots,
- Toffee and,
- Pork crackling.
Alternatively, foods like:
- Fish
- Hearty soups, and
- Ground meat
are good to start, alongside:
- Mashed potatoes
- Cooked veg, and
- Ice cream or yogurt.
As you learn to chew evenly and gain confidence with dentures, you can progress to other foods. Just be mindful to cut foods into smaller pieces to make chewing easier.
A word about Implant-supported dentures
In truth, conventional dentures aren’t as strong as natural teeth, and this should be taken into consideration when adjusting to new dentures. However, that’s only for dentures that are supported by other teeth. When it comes to Implant-supported dentures, that’s a different story…
Because implant-supported dentures are supported by, and attached to, dental implants, they’re far more robust, allowing patients to eat whatever they want after both implants and dentures have settled.
In other words, getting conventional dentures in Anchorage means that you’re likely to be slightly limited to the foods you can eat. However, there are no such restrictions with implant-supported dentures. The downside is that they cost more, and the procedure takes longer before you can properly benefit (normally 3-6 months).
How Dentures In Anchorage, AK, Feel - Getting Used To Them
We’ve already talked about what to expect when getting dentures in regard to food, and that’s one aspect, but you may also notice a few other factors. New dentures may cause some soreness until your mouth gets used to them. This is normal, and it can take several weeks for any discomfort to fully dissipate. You may also notice excess saliva production and a slightly altered speech. Again, this is normal and will revert to normal once your mouth is accustomed to wearing dentures.
Another key aspect in adjusting to new dentures is the initial fit. If the fit’s right, then less adjustment time is needed. At Mint Dental, because we precision-make all our dentures in our in-house lab, they are far more likely to fit better initially. Additionally, we also have an excellent follow-up care package, allowing us to make quick denture changes if required.
So what does this mean for you?
When you choose Mint Dental in Anchorage for dentures, you can expect a smoother transition from the adjustment period to natural wear and an all-around hassle-free experience.
What About Caring For Dentures? What Should You Expect?
When we talk about denture care, or rather, the length of time you devote to it, it really depends on the type of denture. Conventional dentures, and indeed, some implant-supported dentures, are designed to be removed for a number of hours to allow time for the mouth and gums to settle. Therefore, most people remove their dentures, brush them thoroughly with a soft-bristle brush and denture paste before cleaning the mouth and gums with toothpaste. Once complete, dentures can be rinsed off in cold water and placed into a sterilizing liquid overnight while they sleep.
It is a bit of a routine as you will need to brush and soak every day, but in reality, it’s no different from the daily maintenance required for natural teeth.
So, what about implant-supported (fixed) dentures?
Because fixed appliances remain in the mouth permanently, simply brush and floss them just like your natural teeth.
What About Other Aspects Of Denture Care?
Here’s the important bit…
Because conventional dentures rely on support from the curvature of the gum, jawbone loss will continue.
Why?
Because there is nothing to stimulate the jawbone like a tooth root. As a result, the bone atrophies, or reabsorbs, meaning the jaw will change shape over time. Therefore, once snug-fitting dentures can become loose in the mouth, causing slippage and discomfort.
For this reason, denture wearers should attend our Anchorage dental office regularly for adjustments to ensure a consistently comfortable fit. We reassure patients that if they need an adjustment, a reline, or eventually, a replacement denture, we can do so quickly and efficiently.
On the contrary, implant-supported dentures don’t suffer the same bone loss as conventional dentures because the implant itself mimics the stimulation of the tooth root, thus maintaining the integrity of the jaw – No changes, no adjustments necessary!
Once in position, the only time an implant-supported (fixed) denture needs changing is when it wears out or breaks.
What To Expect When Getting Dentures - An Emotional View
Perhaps the best thing about getting dentures in Anchorage is the instant ability to smile, speak, and chew with confidence…
Imagine being able to speak to people without fear of what they might think. Or to crack a smile or laugh at a joke without hiding your smile behind your hand. What about going to a restaurant with family or friends and chewing food without feeling embarrassed?
So, while it’s normal to feel a little self-conscious about getting dentures at first, most patients tell us that the positives of having a confidence-boosting smile far outweigh a few weeks of uncertainty.
Ready To Begin Your Personal Smile Journey?
If you’re considering getting dentures in Anchorage, we hope this blog has given you an insight into what to expect. When you’re ready, why not pay us a visit and see how we can help you?
We’ll talk you through your options and support you every step of the way. Contact Mint Dental at (907) 302 4021 or schedule a consultation to get the ball rolling. You’re one step away from a greater, confidence-boosting smile.
