Q: Do I need to wear a mask when I visit your clinic?
A: Yes, face coverings are required at both of our clinics. This is for the safety of our staff and other patients.
Q: How long will it take you to make a new set of dentures for me?
A: As a general rule you will need to see us three or four times for your dentures to be finished. Most dentures are completed in approximately three to four weeks.
We are sometimes able to complete your denture more quickly if it is needed urgently for a particular reason. Please telephone us to discuss further if that is the case.
Q: Once you have fitted my dentures, do I need to see you regularly or can I wait until my dentures become loose or uncomfortable?
A: It is important to visit us approximately once a year for a check-up. We will check that your dentures are still fitting well and give them a clean and polish. We will also check your general oral health. If you have some of your own natural teeth then you should still visit your dentist for regular check-ups to maximise the retention of your remaining natural teeth.
Q: Will my new dentures make me look any different?
A: If you would like your new dentures to look the same as your existing set then we can achieve that for you. However, some patients like to change the colour or shape of their false teeth to give a more natural look. If your dentures are quite old then a new set will automatically provide more support for the facial muscles thereby ‘lifting’ the face and often achieving a more youthful look.
Q: Can my dentures cause any difficulty with speaking?
A: Having new dentures should not change your speech at all, as long as they have been made with the correct dimensions and with facial movement taken into account. However, if you have not had dentures before, then it may take a week or two, to get used to them in your mouth. Dentures cover the roof of the mouth, if this is new to you, it can take time to adjust to the change.
It is common to salivate more for a few days, which can affect your speech. Sipping water often helps thin down saliva and you’ll also find that you can improve the situation by simply swallowing more often.
Q: Can I wear my dentures at night?
A: We recommend you remove your dentures at night. However some patients feel embarrassed about removing their dentures in front of their partner. If this is the case then you may prefer to soak your dentures in an appropriate cleaning solution before you go to bed allowing you to wear clean dentures during sleep. Dentures must be spotlessly cleaned at night to avoid any decay or irritation overnight especially if you still have natural standing teeth.
Q: Will dentures affect the way I eat?
A: Returning your jaw to its natural position with dentures may affect your chewing and biting ability in the short-term, but it won’t be long before things improve. To start with you should avoid tough, hard and sticky foods and take smaller bites of food while you get used to your new bite and tooth position. Try to chew on both sides of your mouth at the same time, and chew up and down as opposed to side to side.
Q: Why don’t my dentures feel secure when I’m chewing?
A: If you are a new denture wearer it may take some time for your mouth to get used to your dentures, so they may not feel totally secure when you initially start to eat.
Try to chew food on both sides of your mouth at the same time to help prevent the dentures tipping in the mouth. Eat slowly on food cut into smaller pieces. Until you get used to your new dentures, a little denture adhesive will make them feel more secure.
Q: What causes sore spots in the mouth?
A: Sore spots can be caused by loose dentures or dentures that do not fit correctly. If this is the case then book an appointment with us to check the fit of your dentures.
Other causes may be hard foods such as seeds or nuts getting under the denture, or too much clenching of the teeth. Ensure you remove and clean your dentures after every meal.
