Dentures FAQ

Dental FAQ - Dr. kacos

Dentures FAQ

There are many misconceptions about dentures, including that they’re only for elders. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Many don’t realize that people of all ages can benefit from dentures. Dentures act as a replacement for natural teeth. To help you decide if dentures are the right solution for your missing teeth, Dr. Cody Boals, a dentist in Colorado Springs, CO, answers the following dentures FAQ. ‍

What Are Dentures and How Are They Supposed to Work?

Dentures are a prosthesis used to substitute the missing teeth of a patient. This prosthetic consists of artificial teeth and gums that are tailored and fitted to each smile. Dentures are not placed to the jaw bone, unlike dental implants. It is essentially making it easier to clean and preserve.

If you’ve experienced tooth loss because of periodontal disease, tooth decay, injury, etc., there are several benefits to choosing dentures. One of the most common advantages of dentures is the boost in self-esteem and appearance. Other benefits directly affect the oral health as dentures support the overall mouth structure, including facial muscles, speech, and functionality, such as eating.

What Are The Different Types of Dentures?

Dentures used to consist of plastic or porcelain, but today most of them are made of a strong resin material that better looks and feels like natural teeth. A similar resin material is made up of the gum portion of dentures that is for a better fit on the gumline. Additionally, there are various types of dentures, including full and partial, and it will be possible for your dentist to determine which option is right for you.

Complete Dentures

This alternative, also known as a complete denture, is used when all or almost all of the teeth are missing. To replace all the natural teeth and fit the entire surface of the gums, a prosthetic will be made. Once this is completed, the denture will fit snugly along the gum line. However, the dentures are easily removable. Your Colorado Springs dentist may recommend getting a tooth extraction if they feel that you would benefit from complete dentures. 

There are two types of full or complete dentures, conventional and immediate. After your mouth has healed from any tooth extractions, conventional dentures are positioned. This means that the patient, during the healing period, which can vary in time, you may be without teeth. The prosthetic is able to fit perfectly by waiting until the tissue in the mouth is completely healed.

Right after the remaining teeth are removed, instant dentures are placed. The dentist will take preliminary measurements so that the patient will have her new teeth on the same day. After any extractions, this option can help support the jawbone and regulate bleeding. It can change the shape or ridge of the gum line slightly when the mouth heals after the extraction, meaning the surface of the denture may no longer fit as it is meant to. While this may seem like a small problem, it may require realignment, modifications, or even a whole new denture production. You may be without teeth for a couple of days when this occurs.

Partial Dentures

When a patient has only a few missing teeth, Dr. Boals may recommend partial dentures. The existing teeth act as support structures, similar to dental bridges. Partial dentures consist of the required replacement teeth attached to a gum-colored base, almost like a teeth-attached retainer. Dentures are secured in the mouth by attaching either the plastic of the denture or a metal framework to adjacent existing teeth. Partial dentures are readily removable, just like full dentures.

What Should I Expect When Getting Dentures?

Your journey to a beautiful, functioning smile will start after a denture consultation with your dentist in Colorado Springs, CO. The next step is to prepare the mouth for any tooth extractions or procedures that need to be performed prior to measurements or fitting. Measurements will be taken beforehand if you get immediate dentures, so the prosthetic will be ready at your appointment for preparation.

Your dental impressions will be sent to the laboratory where the dentures will be made by your choice of size, color, and shape. Depending on factors like urgency and complexity, the laboratory can take anywhere from 1-6 weeks to generate the prosthetics. You will come in for your fitting once your dentures are ready.

Your restorative dentist will have you try the dentures on during the fitting. This allows them to make sure the dentures fit accordingly. Our Kissing Camels Family Dentistry team will also make sure to show you how to remove and clean your dentures properly. You will probably be advised to wear them until your follow-up appointment, where any additional changes will be made. As previously mentioned, this step will occur during the preparation appointment if you are receiving immediate dentures, and adjustments will be made after your mouth has healed.

How Do I Care for Dentures?

Our friend Dr. Hoang, a restorative dentist in Bethlehem, GA, agrees that any patient who is new to dentures will have an adjustment period. At first, dentures may feel very weird as there is now a foreign object in your mouth, resulting in talking and eating difficulties, besides physical adjustments, figuring out how to take care of your dentures.

A common misconception about dentures is that you don’t need to clean them with real teeth. On the contrary, it is critical to take care of your dentures because plaque, tartar, and harmful bacteria can still build up on the teeth. Your dentures need to be cleaned every day, no matter what type of prosthetic you have. Even though they’re removable, the dentures should remain in your mouth for a certain amount of time. Your Colorado Springs dentist will inform you of the dos and don’ts of dentures. Here is a rough guideline for caring for your dentures.

To prevent dental problems such as tooth decay or gum disease, it is important to follow these steps:

  • Brush your dentures and gums with a very soft toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Remove any bacteria and debris while your dentures are outside your mouth.
  • Soak your dentures in denture solution or clean water anytime they are out of your mouth.

How Long Do Dentures Last?

When correctly taken care of, dentures typically last for about 5 to 7 years. Over time, they will naturally wear the base on which the artificial teeth sit and need to be revived. Your mouth will naturally change as you grow older, and your dentures may not fit properly. Fortunately, without damaging the teeth, the base is very simple to fix. 

However, there are ways of maximizing the lifespan of your denture that go beyond daily cleaning. When handling the prosthetics, it is wise to be gentle as they can break easily if dropped. You should be aware, too, of making sure they never dry out. Soaking your dentures in solution when you’re not wearing them will ensure that your dentures do not dry out. They can also be placed in warm, not hot water because the dentures’ shape can be warped or ruined by hot water. Dr. Boals says dentures are not cheap to replace, so you should take good care of your dentures if you want them to last as long as possible. 

Replacing missing teeth is crucial to good oral health, whether it’s with dentures or dental implants. If you’re interested in restorative dentistry solutions, contact Kissing Camels Family Dentistry for a consultation. Our team is happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have. 

Sedation Dentistry Myths

Sedation Dentistry Myths - Dr. Boals

Sedation Dentistry Myths

What do you know about sedation dentistry? We often find that our patients have been misinformed or have only knowledge of some of the sedation dentistry myths floating out there. Debunking these myths can ensure that each of our patients is better informed about the benefits of sedation dentistry.

We’ve gathered some of the most common sedation dentistry myths that we’ve heard about sedation dentistry. We’re debunking them so that our patients can have a solid and accurate understanding.

Myth One: Sedation Dentistry is Exclusively for Complicated Surgical Procedures

While it is true that sedation dentistry is quite often associated with complicated surgical procedures, it can be used for the majority of dental procedures at our Colorado Springs dentist office. Sedation dentistry can be used for routine dental procedures, including root canal therapy and the removal of wisdom teeth.

Myth Two: There is just one type of sedation

Generally speaking, there are three types of sedation dentistry.

  • Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
  • Oral sedation
  • IV sedation

Nitrous oxide and oral sedation are quite often the best choices for basic, routine procedures. IV sedation can be the choice for more complex oral procedures if you visit an emergency dentist in Colorado Springs and ask about sedation dentistry. It will help get you out of pain and help control anxiety they may be feeling.

Myth Three: Sedation Dentistry Is Not Safe

One of the most important things to be aware of is that your dentist and their staff will always make safety a priority. When you visit your dentist in Colorado Springs, you can be assured that your candidacy for sedation dentistry will be carefully considered.

When it comes to sedation dentistry in Colorado Springs, patients will find out if they are suitable candidates for sedation during their dental procedure.

Dentistry and dental technology have come a long way, says Digital Doc, an industry leader for intraoral cameras. Dentists know more now than ever and with the right tools diagnosis and treatment has vastly improved. Sedation dentistry is no different. There are plenty sedation dentistry options for everyone. It’s important to let your dentist know everything you know about your medical history before you plan your dental procedure. This will allow your dentist to recommend a treatment solution that will prove safe for you.

Myth Four: Sedation Dentistry is Safe for Everyone

This may be confusing, but while your safety will always be prioritized, there are some situations where sedation dentistry may not be the right option for some patients.

You may find you’re not the right candidate for sedation dentistry if some of the following apply.

  • You’re pregnant or breastfeeding
  • You’ve had a previous allergic reaction to one or more of the medications used for sedation dentistry
  • You have asthma or another medical condition that can intervene with the effectiveness of the medications used

Discuss your concerns with your dentist, and together you’ll come up with the right option to help you through your dentist appointment.

Myth Five: Only Patients with Anxiety Qualify for Sedation Dentistry

Some myths will indeed be wrapped in some form of truth. In this case, there’s no truth to the idea that sedation dentistry is only right for those with anxiety. Sedation dentistry can also be used for several reasons, including the following:

  • In situations where patients have an intense gag reflex
  • On patients who have severe fears of needles
  • In situations where patients are restless, and cannot sit still
  • For patients who are undergoing complex or multiple procedures at one time

Do you have anxiety and perhaps wish to be sedated during even a dental cleaning? Even the noninvasive treatments like veneers can call for sedation dentistry. Just ask your Colorado Springs dentist to learn more. 

There’s no reason for you to fear the dentist. Knowing the truth about sedation dentistry can put you at ease, no matter which procedure you have coming up. To learn more about our sedation services, contact Kissing Camels Family Dentistry.

Types of Teeth Whitening

Types of Teeth Whitening - Dr. Boals

Types of Teeth Whitening

The color of our teeth can change drastically over the years. The natural aging process alone can see our teeth losing their previous pearly white status. Combine that with smoking, and eating and drinking foods that can stain our teeth, and there’s the potential for teeth that are simply not as brilliantly white as they once were.

There are a number of teeth whitening solutions that we, your go-to dentist in Colorado Springs, can offer. There are in-office teeth whitening solutions and also take-home teeth whitening kits that can also help to get your teeth white and your smile brighter.

But which option is the right one for you? Let’s examine in-office teeth whitening vs. take-home teeth whitening, so that you can better understand which one will work best for your teeth whitening needs.

In-Office Teeth Whitening Treatments

Visiting your Colorado Springs dentist is your first step to getting your teeth whiter. An in-office teeth whitening treatment can change the color of your teeth several shades lighter. Professional teeth whitening is often touted as being the most effective solution, and the longest-lasting solution. 

This is due in part to the fact that in-office whitening treatments use whitening solutions that contain higher levels of the active ingredient hydrogen peroxide than can be found in other treatment options. The concentration of this active ingredient could be between 25 and 40%. Compare this to at-home whitening solutions that contain around 10% of the active ingredient.

In addition, not only will you find in-office teeth whitening treatments to be more effective, but you will appreciate that it’s a quick visit to the office. In just one trip and in less than an hour, you’ll be able to see great whitening results.

Take-Home Teeth Whitening Treatments

The next best option for professional in-office treatment is the professional take-home teeth whitening kit that can be supplied by your dentist. These treatments begin with a visit to your dentist so that impressions can be taken of your teeth. These impressions are then sent to a lab so that custom-fit whitening trays can be made for you.

Once the trays have been made, you’ll be sent home with them. Combined with a whitening gel, you’ll need to wear your whitening trays for up to an hour a day, for up to two weeks. 

This is a more affordable option than the in-office treatment. However, Dr. David Moghadam, a cosmetic dentist in Easton, PA, says it does take more time than the in-office treatment takes. The results will be pretty similar to the results you’ll see from in-office treatments, but again it does take some additional work and time.

Considering Over-The-Counter Whitening Kits

There are several over-the-counter teeth whitening kits, some of which can produce moderate results. Broadly speaking, there are four types of teeth whitening options.

  • Gels
  • Toothpaste
  • Strips
  • One-size whitening trays

These whitening kits are more cost-effective options. However, the one-size whitening trays won’t fit your mouth as comfortably as you would be able to get from your dentist. Another consideration is that the bleaching agent in the over-the-counter kits won’t be as strong as those used by your dentist.

To instantly and permanently transform your smile, consider getting veneers in Colorado Springs. Patients are always blown away by the end result. As a cosmetic dentist in Colorado Springs that patients rely on, we are committed to keeping you smiling brightly.