Bringing unique smiles to life
Some patients only contact us if they experience a problem with their denture. Other patients want to schedule checkups even when they feel everything is fine. Which kind of patient are you? And how often should you really be seeing your denturist?
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When most people think of a denture, they envision a removable appliance that replaces all of the teeth on either the upper or lower arch. However, the number of people in Canada who are missing all of their teeth has declined – from 17% of the population in 1990 to 6.4% in 2009. And as the numbers of denture wearers in Canada has remained relatively consistent over the years, this tells us that we are seeing more and more people wearing partial dentures.
A partial denture is an appliance that replaces missing teeth when some natural teeth remain on that arch. For many patients, a partial denture is worn to improve their smiles by filling in the gaps presented by missing teeth. In addition to the obvious aesthetic improvements, there are several important benefits these patients achieve by wearing a partial denture.
[Read more…] about A Partial is Essential
Some patients require extraction of all the teeth on either (or both) of their upper or lower arches and choose to replace those extracted teeth with an immediate denture.
Once extractions have been completed, these patients can expect considerable change to their oral structures. In fact, studies show that within the first year after extractions, an estimated 50% of jawbone width will be lost, 30% of which occurs within the first 12 weeks. (Bone loss eventually slows down but will continue year after year.) As the jawbone changes, the gums that cover that bone will also change shape.
Unfortunately, the shape of a denture will not change as your jawbone and gums shrink. This means that as time goes on – and especially in the first year following extractions – your denture will start to feel looser. For these patients, tissue conditioners can help to restore comfort, fit, and function temporarily and until bone loss tapers off and a denture reline is warranted.
In our opinion, one of the most innovative trends in modern dentistry is the dental implant. Dental implants are medical devices that are surgically inserted in the jawbone. While they provide support for crowns, bridges, or dentures, they also help to keep the jawbone from shrinking due to bone loss, keep adjacent teeth stable, and preserve the health of surrounding bone and gums.
[Read more…] about Implant Care & Maintenance
Since their advent more than 2,700 years ago, the materials and techniques used to fabricate dentures have continually improved. Denture patients today benefit from advancements like implant-supported dentures, dental imagery to assess bone mass, and lifelike synthetic teeth. But in the beginning, dentures were not always so high-tech.
[Read more…] about A Brief History of Dentures
When patients transition from natural teeth to their first denture, they often focus on the positives. They may be excited to be moving away from chronic tooth pain. They may look forward to restoring a smile that was affected by missing teeth. Or they may be ready to move on from more restorative procedures on their natural teeth. For these patients, dentures can certainly be a game changer.
However, dentures can also pose certain challenges – albeit many temporary – that patients need to be aware of. Here are a few things patients should know before they commit to their first denture.
[Read more…] about What to Know About Your First Denture
January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.
Further to our post earlier this month, here are some tips to assist you in maintaining your loved one’s good denture and oral health.
[Read more…] about Denture Care for Alzheimer’s Patients (part 2)
January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month
If you are caregiver to a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s, you may need to assist them with proper denture and oral care. In the early and middle stages of the disease, this may mean offering support, reminders, and coaching. In the later stages of the disease, you may need to take over responsibility for this care.
Here are some tips to assist you in maintaining your loved one’s good denture and oral health.
[Read more…] about Denture care for Alzheimer’s patients (part 1)
November is Diabetes Awareness Month
Diabetes is a condition that can pose various complications to your oral health. If you are also managing multiple healthcare issues, as are many of the senior patients we see each year, your health risks increase.
In our previous blog post, we outlined complications that can arise from diabetes and that affect oral health. In this post, we discuss what you can do to keep your mouth and dentures healthy.
[Read more…] about Diabetes and Denture Care (Part 2)
November is Diabetes Awareness Month
Diabetes is a condition that can pose various complications to your oral health. If you are also managing multiple healthcare issues, as are many of the senior patients we see each year, your health risks increase.
In this blog post, we outline complications that can arise from diabetes and that affect oral health. In our next post, we discuss what you can do to keep your mouth and dentures healthy.
[Read more…] about Diabetes and Denture Care (Part 1)
We’ve all misplaced our keys, wallet, or phone. It tends to happen when we are distracted, tired, or when we make changes to our routines. A lost denture often happens in exactly the same way.
[Read more…] about Lost your denture – what can you do?
Some people believe that a denture made today will last them for a lifetime. Imagine their surprise to learn that a denture must be maintained, updated, and eventually replaced with a new, better fitting appliance.
To help you understand the maintenance required by denture wearers, here is a brief overview of the three R’s of denture care: Repair, Reline, and Replace.
[Read more…] about The Three R’s of Denture Care
Some of our patients who have been wearing dentures for many years are familiar with porcelain denture teeth.
Porcelain has a reputation as a durable material for denture teeth. It resists wear, thus preserving tooth length for a longer period compared to acrylic teeth. Porcelain’s translucency, depth of colour, and reflection of light have also long been considered the gold standard of artificial teeth.
[Read more…] about Are Acrylic Teeth Better Than Porcelain?
As tax time approaches, you may be wondering if your denture-related expenses qualify as tax deductible or what documentation you will need to submit.
[Read more…] about Claiming Denture-Related ExpensesDuring the holiday season, many denture wearers put their teeth to the test with plenty of eating, drinking, and socializing.
Here are some ways to avoid the most common causes of holiday-related denture chips and breaks. And if the worst happens, we’ve got some tips for how to survive until the problem can be fixed.
[Read more…] about Holiday Denture Problems
Diabetes is a condition that can pose various complications to your oral health. If you are also managing multiple healthcare issues, as are many of the senior patients we see each year, your health risks increase.
In this blog post, we outline complications that can arise from diabetes and that affect oral health, as well as what you can do to keep your mouth and dentures healthy.
[Read more…] about Denture Care for Diabetics
Regardless of age, many people are missing one or more of their natural teeth. Here is an outline of the health risks posed by missing teeth and the realistic and affordable solutions – including a partial denture – that are available to solve the problem.
[Read more…] about The Benefits of a Partial Denture
Many patients on soft food diets complain about weight loss and low energy. These symptoms are usually attributed to a diet high in carbohydrates and empty-calorie foods like potatoes, pasta, and surgery smoothies. The solution? Protein!
Here are some tips to help you find high-protein, easy-to-eat foods.
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It might sound counterintuitive, but maximizing your dental insurance by using up your benefits before the end of the year can save you money – as well as save you time and help you to avoid dental care problems
If you have dental insurance, here are 6 reasons to consider making the most of your coverage before the end of the year.
[Read more…] about 6 Reasons to Use Your Dental Insurance Before the Year Ends
Have you recently had a tooth extracted, dental implants placed, gum grafting done, or otherwise experienced dental trauma? If so, you may need to follow a soft foods diet.
How can you eat healthy and keep your diet interesting, varied, and protein-rich while on a soft food diet? Here are some tips to help you ensure your easy-to-eat foods are also nourishing.
[Read more…] about Get the Most Out of a Soft Foods Diet