Denture technology has, over the past few decades, become a fine art. Dentures today are “personalized” to suit you and look completely natural. It will not be evident that you are wearing them. The only noticeable difference may be that some pronounced facial lines will be softened, giving you a more youthful look. Don’t be afraid to smile and be proud of appearance.

Dentures are a substitute for your natural teeth and will, therefore, feel strange at first. Nature designated several years for us to get our natural teeth. Some will feel comfortable with their dentures in a week; some take considerably longer. A positive attitude and being aware of the adjustment that is taking place really helps. At first you may feel your new teeth are too big and your mouth and lips are too full. But your facial muscles and oral tissues will adapt to the dentures in a very short time and you should soon feel quite comfortable with them.

Adjustment takes time and patience but don’t be discouraged. You have only to learn to bite and chew in a slightly different way. When biting food with natural teeth, the tendency is to pull forward. Instead of pulling out as you bite, push the food forward a little and bite completely through it. Start with small portions of food and eat slowly. Biting into an apple and eating corn on the cob are probably things you will want to postpone, but you will be able to enjoy these foods later when you have mastered the art. Your Denturist will be happy to help you deal with any problems you encounter.

At first you may notice minor differences in your speech. Lisping is not unusual. Don’t be concerned. Soon your tongue, lips and cheeks will become accustomed to the slight alteration in the shape of your mouth. Reading aloud to yourself is an excellent exercise which will more quickly restore your normal speech.

As every case is different, your Denturist will advise you, based on your individual circumstances. There are also special precautions to take with your dentures when they are not in place. He or she will explain these to you.

Normally about five to ten years. Natural teeth wear down and stain over the years and your dentures will too. The tissue in your mouth undergoes constant change, therefore your dentures will require adjusting and rebasing periodically in order to achieve the best fit possible. It is wise to see your Denturist at least once every year so that any corrective measures may be taken and serious problems avoided. And be sure to see your Denturist at the first sign of irritation, no matter how minor you feel it to be.

Ideally, your dentures should be cleaned after every meal. If this is impracticable, clean them as soon after eating as possible. Always clean your dentures over a basin of water or a damp towel to avoid breakage if you drop them. Hold them gently between thumb and fingers; never squeeze them in your palm. You should use a denture brush and a good denture cleaner or soap, which you can buy at any drugstore. Avoid gritty pastes or powders and use only lukewarm, never hot water.

You should never attempt to reline your dentures without first consulting a Denturist. Doing so could seriously damage both your dentures and your mouth. If your dentures need relining, consult with a Denturist.  Denturists are trained to reline and repair dentures quickly and effectively.

The Denturist may offer a complimentary initial consultation to their new patients. During your first consultation, your Denturist will explain your best treatment options and tell you exactly how much it will cost, please note that the Denturist Society of Saskatchewan does publish, each year, a suggested Fee Guide for Services (this is what insurance companies base their assessment of coverage upon). Visit our Find A Denturist section to find a Denturist near you!