Dental health plays a significant role in your overall health and wellbeing. Losing teeth could be devastating, for instance, it can affect your facial structure and self-esteem. Specialty dentures are a non-invasive alternative to dental implants and are used to replace missing teeth. Specialty dentures are often partial and are designed to fit different spaces in your teeth. 

Since dental health matters are sensitive, you need a qualified orthodontist to fix your dentures. At Washington Dental, we strive to provide you with the best dental healthcare to keep your smile. We serve clients looking to have specialty dentures fitted in Los Angeles, Carson, Torrance and Lomita, CA.

Overview of Specialty Dentures

Specialty dentures are an affordable and non-invasive alternative to dental implants for individuals with missing teeth. Also known as partial dentures, the specialty dentures replace missing teeth without the need for full dentures. Many people think that they cannot receive dentures until they lose a whole set of teeth. However, partial dentures are designed to fit into any size gap between your teeth.

Even with advanced technology and advancements in dental health, many individuals live with missing teeth. Missing teeth deforms the structure of your face and can be a source of embarrassment and low self-esteem.

Dentures are a good option for missing teeth. Regardless of the extent of tooth loss or duration, you can benefit from this feature. Dentures are popular since they resemble missing teeth and make your smile look natural.

Also, dentures could be full or partial, and the type you require depends on your lifestyle needs, personal preference, and extent of tooth loss. There is a variety of partial dentures depending on their method of attachment and material.

Partial removable dentures are made of plastic and metal alloy. These dentures have a natural look, unlike the transitional partial dentures. The removable dentures are light and are made to fit perfectly on the tooth gap. However, it is crucial to understand that your first denture may not be due to shifting the gums and the remaining teeth after some time. On the other hand, transitional partial dentures are used as temporary replacements before your mouth heals from the tooth extraction. 

Specialty dentures could also be fixed, such as the fixed bridge and implant-supported implants. If you are missing one or two teeth, the fixed bridge denture could be a good option for you. This type of denture is permanent and does not need to be removed for cleaning. This type of denture setback is that other teeth need to be filled and prepared to accept the new crown and support it.

If you have missing teeth and do not want to damage any of the remaining teeth, the implant-supported bridge could work. The implant uses titanium that will be permanently placed in your mouth. The procedure may be expensive, but it lasts for a long time and may not require constant repairs. Most discomfort and improper fit experienced with removable partial dentures may not be experienced in the implant-supported denture.

Benefits of Specialty Dentures

  • Protects your remaining natural teeth from wear and shifting. When a gap remains in your mouth for long, the gums may tend to recede, and teeth shift. Fitting of dentures ensures that remaining teeth stay in place.
  • You have an improved ability to bite and chew. Chewing with gaps between your teeth can be challenging. Therefore, the fitting of dentures helps you chew with more ease.
  • Few dietary restrictions. An individual who has lost several teeth may not be able to eat hard foods such as nuts. When the dentures are fitted, the dental formula will be complete, and you can eat whatever you want.
  • Dentures enable you to speak without difficulties.
  • Gives a fuller and more youthful appearance to your face. Missing teeth could cause your face to be wrinkled and deformed. This, in return, affects your outlook and self-esteem. Fitting of dentures as soon as you lose a tooth can help retain the full and youthful look.

Process of Fixing Dentures

Dentures are false teeth created by a dental specialist to fill spaces left by lost teeth. The process of fitting dentures to fill the gaps left after you lose teeth may take a few visits to the dentist. The steps of fitting specialty dentures are:

1.  Dental consultation


The dentist examines your oral situation the first time you visit the dental clinic, including existing teeth, gums, and bone structure. The dentist will discuss tooth replacement options and give their recommendations depending on the specialty denture that best suits your needs. 

2.  Examination

The dentist will examine the gaps left behind by missing or removed teeth. The conditions surrounding the teeth are also examined to ensure it is healthy. Ex-rays will be taken to check the existing teeth and determine if they need treatment. If the remaining teeth are damaged, they have to be extracted. At this stage, the orthodontist will determine the type of dentures that suit our needs.

3.  Impression

During the second visit, an impression of your mouth is taken to determine your jaw movement. The impression helps to design the model of your denture. Contours and borders are created in your denture so that they can appear natural in your oral structure. During this visit, the dentist will record your bite registration to determine how the lower and upper jaws bite.

4.  Creation 

Once the examination and impressions are taken, the specialty denture is molded. Meanwhile, an immediate denture may be fitted to minimize swelling after the extraction of damaged teeth. When your model dentures are complete, ensure to examine them properly before approving. Also, it would be best if you were sure that the dentures are comfortable.

5.  Fitting

The final appointment with your orthodontist involves fitting your dentures. During this stage, final adjustments are made to the denture. A denture is an external fitment and may require some time to feel natural.

Materials Used to Make Dentures

Several materials are used to make partial dentures. When you visit your dentist, they will assess your situation and give a suggestion based on your needs and budget. Common materials for the dentures include:

  • Metal Partial Dentures

This type of denture has a metal base made from an alloy containing chrome and cobalt. The material used to stick the metal partial dentures is pink acrylic. The replacement for this type of dentures is enamel-colored resin. The primary benefit of metal dentures is that they can be thin and still strong. Also, the metal dentures are a great support system for the remaining teeth.

  • Acrylic Dentures

Acrylic is a strong resin material. To make a base for the dentures, the material is pink and enamel colored to replace the teeth. The acrylic denture is held firm in the mouth by metal clasps, and the mouth covers the metal.

  • Flexible Partial Dentures

Instead of metal or acrylic dentures, you can opt for the partial denture made from a flexible material. The flexible dentures are designed to fit neatly in the mouth and are not easily visible. Also, they do not need a metal fitting to keep them in place. The pink flexible material is used to hold them for a better appearance and comfort. Compared to other materials, flexible dentures create more comfort and aesthetic appearance since:

  1. They take a short time to manufacture as compared to traditional dentures.
  2. The flexible material used to manufacture these dentures makes them durable and less likely to wear out.
  3. No metal clasp or adhesive is required to keep the dentures in place.
  4. The plastic material is clear, making the natural gum visible.
  5. Eating and speaking with flexible partial dentures is easier. 
  6. Flexible plastic dentures are compatible with most people and rarely cause allergies.

Finding the right denture solution is essential to ensure comfort and satisfaction with your replacement teeth. Therefore, guidance from a competent dental professional is crucial.

Care for Specialty Dentures

Dentures are designed to improve the natural look of a person who has lost some teeth and help them eat or smile naturally. They take a significant amount of space in your mouth. Therefore, you will feel as though food debris is collecting under them compared to a person with natural teeth. There are several reasons why food particles could collect on your dentures:

  • The food drifting to the floor of the mouth could land and be trapped under a low denture.
  • Debris that is pushed backward and up as you chew your food and swallow could end up between the palate and upper denture, making it comfortable for your mouth.
  • When food sticks to the denture's rough plastic surface more easily than it does the oral tissues, which allows it to build up over time.

Food particles stick to particular parts of the denture as compared to others. If the particles are not removed regularly, they could give rise to various oral problems such as the bad breath. Food particles that overstay below the dentures become rancid over time. This will cause a foul smell that could greatly affect your self-esteem.

Bad breath is a common complaint from individuals who have dentures. To determine whether your dentures cause bad breath, you could remove the dentures, place them in a sealed container, and remove them after some hours. When you remove them, you can have an idea of whether your dentures cause halitosis.

Specialty dentures require proper care to keep them clean and looking their best. Good denture care consists of:

  1. Removing and rinsing the dentures after meals. Since food can easily collect below the dentures, you need to remove the dentures and run clean water over them to remove the particles. This prevents the accumulation of dirt that could result in bad breath.
  2. Handling the dentures carefully. It would be best if you were careful not to bend or damage the clasps or plastic used to hold the dentures in place. When cleaning them, you could place them in a clean towel to avoid dropping them to the floor or sink.
  3. Brushing your dentures regularly. To keep your dentures clean, ensure you brush them daily. This could be done by removing them and brushing with a soft bristle brush to remove plaque and food deposits. If your dentures are fitted with the adhesive material, clean the grooves that fit the gums to remove the remaining adhesive.
  4. Soaking your dentures overnight. Specialty dentures are designed to fit in different spaces in your mouth. Most types of dentures need to stay moist so that they can keep their shape. Place your dentures in a mild denture-soaking solution mixed with water and leave it overnight. Before putting back the dentures in the mouth, ensure to rinse them thoroughly.
  5. Scheduling regular checkups with your dentists. When you are fitted with the dentures, your dentist will advise you on how often you need to have them checked. If the dentures become loose, you should promptly see a dentist to have them fixed and avoid further complications. Loose dentures are known to cause sores, gum irritation, and infections.

Your mouth undergoes constant change. Sometimes gum changes in shape and could shrink after a tooth is extracted. A denture wearer needs to have a break where the gums are given time to heal. Over time, dentures could fail to fit in their intended place or cause discomfort. It would be best if you visited a dentist regularly for adjustments.

Some of the things you need to avoid to ensure your dentures remain healthy are:

  • Whitening toothpaste. Advertisement on whitening toothpaste brands is widespread. Most of these kinds of toothpaste contain peroxide, which changes the dentures' color or appearance.
  • Bleaching products. Bleaching products are likely to change the color and weaken the structure of your dentures. You should also avoid soaking the dentures with their metal attachments to avoid corroding the metal by chlorine.
  • Abrasive cleaning materials. Stiff bristles, harsh toothpaste, and strong cleansers can damage your dentures and should be avoided.
  • Hot water. Hot water could warp the dentures. Therefore, you should clean the dentures with cold or warm water.

Complications Associated With Specialty Dentures 

Caring for dentures requires more than regular brushing and cleaning. Specialty dentures are fragile, and if they are damaged, it is crucial to consult your dentist to help avoid irritation and discomfort. The dentist can repair and make necessary adjustments on the denture to ensure they fit comfortably. Some of the most common complications associated with specialty dentures include:

Slippage

Denture slippage is a common problem associated with specialty dentures. New dentures take time to feel comfortable. This is because they are designed to fit between teeth to fill the gap left by lost teeth. You might notice that the dentures may be slipping as you talk or chew. If the dentures continue to slip out after some time, there may be an issue with the fit and may need to be adjusted. 

Prolonged use of dentures could cause a fit problem. Having a gap in your teeth can cause the remaining teeth to shift and gum tissue to recede. This will cause dentures that once fit perfectly to be loose and uncomfortable. If this happens, you need to consider visiting your dentist to adjust or fix the adhesive.

Taking care of dentures especially requires time and effort to maintain them in great shape and protect your investment. When wearing the dentures, ensure you care for your mouth and teeth by avoiding sugary and acidic food.

Difficulty Eating

It can take some time to be used to eating while wearing dentures. When you first receive the dentures, you may find it difficult to chew, and sometimes they may slip out. Hard foods such as nuts and seeds could be stuck under the dentures and make you feel uncomfortable. You can overcome some of these problems by eating soft foods when your dentures are new.

To keep your dentures stable, you can avoid straining them by chewing with both sides of the mouth. When the dentures are used to the mouth, you will become confident in your chewing. With time, you can eat most foods without any difficulties.

Trouble Speaking

Specialty dentures are used to fill missing teeth in your mouth. Sometimes the gaps are in different areas. Therefore, you could have multiple fittings. Dentures could feel like a foreign object in the mouth, which is not always comfortable. You could find difficulty when speaking if your dentures are new. Learning to move your tongue around the dentures and make the right sounds could be quite challenging. You only have to be patient, and speaking with the dentures will feel natural.

After the new dentures are fitted, you can practice speaking privately. This will help you to form words, and in time you will feel confident.

Improper fitting and care of the dentures can cause a variety of infections. Some of the most common infection associated with dentures are:

  1. Cheilitis. Bacteria and fungus are naturally present in your mouth and saliva of healthy individuals. Angular Cheilitis is a bacterial infection occurring on one or both sides of your mouth. A person who wears dentures for a long time or has a missing tooth can suffer from Angular Cheilitis. When dentures are not fitted properly, they affect mouth closure problems causing bleeding. This area becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Cheilitis starts with tightness in the mouth, and if you are experiencing it, you need to consult with a specialist.
  2. Stomatitis. Denture related Stomatitis is a common condition where the oral mucous membrane is inflamed below the denture. This type of Stomatitis is caused by candida and occurs when the dentures are left constantly in the mouth. Therefore, removing the denture during sleep time, giving rest time to the area.

Constant Refitting

The most annoying part about living with dentures is the need for constant adjustments and refitting. When there is a gap between the teeth, the gums could recede, and the teeth move to make the denture uncomfortable. Visiting a dentist at least once a year for realignment will ensure the proper fit of your dentures. Constant refitting of the dentures is a significant investment of money and time.

Cleaning Problems

Cleaning dentures is not similar to cleaning your natural teeth. When you have the specialty dentures fitted, you should change your daily routine to ensure the dentures remain in great shape. Sometimes you may not be sure whether you are cleaning the dentures correctly.

Fortunately, you can avoid all these problems by brushing your dentures regularly with a soft bristle toothbrush. A regular toothbrush could scratch the dentures and affect their appearance, and you should avoid using it. When cleaning the dentures, you need to remove them and be careful to avoid dropping them. You can use a towel to protect your dentures. 

Find a Los Angeles Dental Professional Near Me

Dentures are artificial molds made to mimic natural teeth. Many people think that dentures are only applicable when replacing a full set of teeth. However, specialty dentures can be used to replace your missing teeth and fit into any size of a gap in your mouth. This helps you enjoy the benefit of a perfect smile without undergoing invasive procedures done for tooth implants.

Specialty dentures will improve your appearance and make eating and talking much easier and help preserve your oral health. There are different categories of specialty dentures available to cater to your specific needs. When you lose teeth and want to restore your outlook with specialty dentures, it is crucial to consult an experienced orthodontist. If you want to receive specialized dental care, contact Washington Dental. We serve patients looking for orthodontic services in Los Angeles, Carson, Torrance, and Lomita, CA.