How often should I replace my dentures?

The answer to this question depends on a number of factors. Generally the fit, function and appearance of your dentures are at their best during the first 2-3 years. After this time, there are a few changes you may notice.

Maryvale Denture Clinic advises our patients to replace their dentures every 5-8 years. Even with regular relines, which can improve the fit of your denture, the actual teeth will wear down over time. When the teeth on your dentures begin to wear down, this affects and changes the way you chew and digest your food. Worn teeth can also alter your bite. The bite is very important. If your bite changes due to worn down denture teeth, you can develop problems with your TMJ (Temporo-Mandibular Joint) resulting in sore jaw muscles and headaches. Worn teeth can also place uneven stress on a denture, thus increasing the potential for your denture to break.

To book an appointment for your complimentary consultation and denture assessment, call 416-449-8331.

Why does my lower denture always feel loose compared to my upper denture?

The lower denture, in most cases, will never be as “tight” fitting as the upper denture. There are a few reasons for this.

The palate, or roof of the mouth, is shaped in such a way that the upper denture creates a suction, or seal. This suction is what causes the upper denture to stay up on the roof of the mouth.

The lower jaw is not an ideal area to support a denture because there is no suction or seal to keep the denture in place.

In actual fact, the lower denture is kept in place by the muscles in the face, cheeks, lips and tongue. These muscles do not develop overnight, and for people who are new to wearing dentures or who have worn the same dentures for a number of years, adjusting to a new lower denture can prove to be extremely frustrating and challenging. The truth is that dentures, both lower and upper, get more difficult to wear as time goes on, regardless of whether they are old or made new. This is because the inside of your mouth changes and gets smaller over time. As the bone under the gums shrinks, dentures, especially the lower, become more difficult to wear.

In the past, standard dentures were the only option to replacing lost teeth. Today there are other solutions available such as IMPLANT RETAINED dentures.

If you are interested in learning more, please call 416-449-8331 to book your complimentary consultation.

How should I clean my dentures?

Daily cleaning of your dentures is necessary to prevent plaque and tartar build up, food stains, bad breath odors, mouth infections and redness or irritation to your gums.

Proper cleaning of your dentures includes:

  • Removing your dentures after meals. Rinsing with water and brushing helps to remove plaque and some food stains.
  • Using a denture brush or a soft tooth brush with water, soap (liquid hand soap), or a denture paste. Use a separate soft tooth brush and toothpaste for cleaning any of your remaining natural teeth, and don’t forget to gently brush your tongue and gum surfaces daily.
  • Choosing a denture cleanser that suits your dentures and your schedule. Some cleansers require an overnight soak, some require a 5-20 minute soak, and some are not good to use on soft liners or cast metal partial dentures. It is important to read the instructions before you purchase a denture cleanser to ensure you are getting the best one for you. Denture cleansers should be used every day in combination with brushing and rinsing every day. You can purchase denture cleansers (i.e. Polident or Efferdent) over the counter at many retail outlets. At Maryvale Denture Clinic, we have an excellent antibacterial denture cleanser available (Novadent). This is not a daily cleanser, but rather is for use on a periodic basis, to help remove tartar and stains. The original formulation is for use on standard dentures, but there is also a formulation specifically for use on implant retained dentures or dentures with a soft lining. Many of our patients have experienced superior results with Novadent.
  • DO NOT use toothpaste on your dentures unless it states on the packaging that it is safe to use on dentures. Toothpaste contains abrasives that can scratch your dentures, making it easier for build up to collect and adhere to the scratched denture surface.

Stubborn food stains and plaque/tartar build up will require your dentures to be cleaned professionally. At Maryvale Denture Clinic our on-site laboratory is outfitted with the proper tools and equipment to clean and polish your dentures. We recommend our patients book time to have their dentures cleaned and polished during their annual recare appointment. Having your dentures cleaned by your Denturist once a year will help you to maintain your bright and confident smile.

If you would like to book an appointment to have your dentures cleaned and polished while you wait in our private waiting room, please call 416-449-8331.

How long will it take to make my new dentures?

It generally takes 3-5 weeks to make new dentures. However, we can usually accommodate emergency rush cases in less time if necessary. Your smile is very important to us, and at Maryvale Denture Clinic we do only quality, custom work in order to meet each individual patient’s needs.

Your appointments generally go as follows:

  1. Impressions. Moulds of your mouth will be taken. This is the foundation for creating your new smile.
  2. Bite Registration. This appointment enables us to establish your jaw relationship, and gives us a guide for where your teeth should be. We will also choose a tooth shade/colour and discuss any suggestions or requests you may have regarding your desired appearance.
  3. Try In or “Preview”. You will try in your new teeth during this appointment. At this stage, the teeth will still be in wax and if need be, we will be able to make any adjustments or changes before finishing the final product. We will also check your bite. Once you approve the appearance, we will proceed to the “Finish” appointment. If any changes need to be made, you will be booked to come back for a Retry appointment. We will not finish your dentures until you have approved the appearance.
  4. Finish. You will wear your new dentures home! At this appointment, we will fit you with your new dentures and you will be given post care instructions.
  5. Post Insertion Check. We like to see you one week after you receive your new dentures to see how you are managing with your new teeth. Quite often new dentures will need some adjusting and it is not uncommon to have a few sore spots or tenderness. It is very important that you come back for this appointment so that we can ensure your comfort and well-being.

Depending on your chosen treatment, you may require fewer or more appointments. Once you’ve decided on your treatment, your Denturist will inform you of the number of appointments you will require. Appointments generally take anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour, depending on the procedure. Maryvale Denture Clinic will notify you when you are due for your annual recare and/or reline appointments.