Dentures at Bloxdent Smiles
Restoring Your Smile and Confidence
Dentures are removable appliances designed to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues. They are an effective way to restore your smile, improve your ability to chew, and enhance your overall facial structure and speech.
Whether you are missing all or just a few of your natural teeth, we offer a variety of denture types, each tailored to meet your different needs and preferences.
Your Denture Journey at Bloxdent Smiles:
Which Denture is Right for You?
The best type of denture depends entirely on your specific circumstances, including the number of teeth you are missing, the condition of your remaining teeth and gums, your lifestyle, and your budget.
- If cost and a full replacement are the primary factors, Traditional Acrylic might be best.
- If you prioritize long-term stability and thin comfort for a partial, Cobalt Chrome is an excellent investment.
- If aesthetics and flexibility are your main concern, Flexible Valplast is the top choice for a partial.
1. Cobalt Chrome Dentures
Also known as Metal Partial Dentures, these appliances are considered a premium choice for replacing several missing teeth. They are designed for superior strength and comfort.
Key Features
- Material: The framework is cast from a strong, lightweight Cobalt Chrome metal alloy, with acrylic and teeth built on top.
- Use: Primarily used for removable partial dentures (RPDs) when several natural teeth remain in the arch.
- Attachment: Features small, custom-designed metal clasps that grip firmly onto the remaining natural teeth, providing excellent stability.
Benefits
- Superior Strength & Durability: The metal framework is incredibly strong and resistant to breaking.
- Excellent Stability: The clasps ensure the denture stays firmly in place while eating and speaking.
- Slimmer Profile: The metal can be cast much thinner than acrylic, making the denture less bulky, more comfortable, and less intrusive to your speech and tongue.
- Better Chewing: Improved stability often leads to better chewing efficiency.
Consideration
- The clasps are sometimes visible when you smile, though we will work hard to hide them. Initial cost is higher than a standard acrylic partial.
2. Flexible Valplast Dentures
Valplast is a leading brand name for a type of partial denture made from a flexible nylon thermoplastic. This material offers a unique blend of comfort and virtually invisible aesthetics.
Key Features
- Material: Made from a thin, semi-transparent nylon resin that is extremely flexible and lightweight.
- Use: Exclusively used for removable partial dentures (RPDs).
- Attachment: Instead of metal, the denture uses gum-coloured flexible clasps that wrap around the neck of the remaining natural teeth.
Benefits
- Maximum Comfort: The flexible nature allows the denture to adapt seamlessly to the contours of your mouth, making it very comfortable to wear.
- Virtually Invisible: The thin, translucent material blends beautifully with your natural gum tissue, and the clasps are tooth- or gum-colored, eliminating visible metal.
- Hypoallergenic: Valplast is monomer-free, making it an excellent option for patients with acrylic or metal allergies.
- High Impact Resistance: They are very difficult to break or chip.
Consideration
- Due to their flexibility, they can sometimes be more difficult to reline or adjust compared to rigid acrylic or metal dentures.
3. Traditional Acrylic Dentures
Traditional dentures have been a reliable solution for generations, offering a simple and cost-effective way to restore a full arch of teeth.
Key Features
- Material: Made entirely of dental acrylic (a durable plastic). The gum-coloured base supports the realistic-looking replacement teeth.
- Use: Most commonly used for complete dentures (replacing all teeth in an arch) or as immediate/temporary partial dentures.
- Attachment: Rests directly on the gums and is held in place primarily by suction, and sometimes with the help of denture adhesive.
Benefits
- Cost-Effective: Generally, the most economical option.
- Easy to Adjust: Can be easily repaired, relined, or modified as your jaw and gums change over time.
- Aesthetic: Modern acrylics provide a very natural-looking result.
Consideration
- The thicker acrylic base can sometimes feel bulky, and they may be less stable than other options, especially on the lower jaw.
From Consultation to New Smile
The process of getting new dentures generally follows these key steps. For patients requiring tooth extractions (especially for complete dentures), the journey includes a surgical stage.
Phase 1: Planning and Assessment
- Comprehensive Consultation: We begin with a thorough examination of your mouth, gums, and remaining teeth (if applicable). We discuss your medical history, aesthetic goals, and expectations.
- X-rays and Impressions: Digital X-rays and precise measurements are taken. Detailed initial impressions of your jaw and existing structures are captured using a special putty material. These models are sent to a skilled dental laboratory.
- Treatment Plan: We determine the best type of denture for your needs (Acrylic, Cobalt Chrome, Valplast) and finalize a treatment plan, including any necessary extractions.
Phase 2: The Surgical and Healing Phase (If Extractions are Needed)
- Extraction Appointment: If you are receiving Immediate Dentures, the necessary teeth are extracted, and the pre-made dentures are placed immediately into your mouth during the same appointment. This ensures you never have to go without teeth.
- Healing: The gum tissue and bone will change significantly as they heal over the next few months. If you have an immediate denture, expect it to feel looser over time.
- Note: If you are waiting for a Conventional Denture, you will need to allow the extraction sites to fully heal (typically 6-8 weeks or longer) before the final impressions are taken.
Phase 3: Try-Ins and Customization
- Bite Registration: We take precise measurements to determine how your upper and lower jaws fit together when you bite, ensuring the dentures allow for proper function and comfort.
- Wax Try-In: The dental lab creates a wax model of your future denture. You will try this model in. This is a crucial appointment where you and the dentist confirm the look, fit, size, and color of the teeth. This is your chance to request any changes before the final product is made.
- Final Processing: Once approved, the wax model is sent back to the lab, where it is converted into the final acrylic, metal, or flexible Valplast material.
Phase 4: Delivery and Adjustment
- Denture Delivery: Your completed denture is fitted, and the dentist checks the bite and overall comfort. We provide detailed instructions on insertion, removal, and initial care.
- Follow-Up Adjustments: It is completely normal to need several follow-up appointments. As you begin to use your new dentures, you may find “sore spots” or minor fit issues. We will perform necessary adjustments (called relines or adjustments) to ensure the best possible comfort and fit.
- Relining (For Immediate Dentures): Because the gums shrink substantially after extractions, immediate dentures will require a Permanent Reline 3 to 6 months after placement to ensure a long-term, snug fit.
Denture Aftercare and Maintenance
Proper care is essential for maintaining the life of your dentures and protecting your oral health.
Daily Care Essentials
- Brush Daily (But Not with Toothpaste): Clean your dentures at least once a day using a soft-bristled denture brush and a mild dish soap or non-abrasive denture paste. Regular toothpaste is too abrasive and can scratch the denture material, creating harbours for bacteria.
- Handle with Care: Always clean your dentures over a folded towel or a basin of water. If you drop them, the acrylic or teeth can easily break.
- Soak Every Night: Remove your dentures before sleeping to give your gums and jawbone a rest. Store them in a special denture-cleansing solution or plain water to keep them from drying out and losing their shape.
- Clean Your Mouth: Even if you have no teeth, gently brush your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth every morning and evening with a soft toothbrush to stimulate circulation and remove plaque.
Long-Term Maintenance
- Never Try to Repair Them Yourself: Do not use glue or DIY repair kits. If your denture breaks, cracks, or loses a tooth, bring it to our office immediately.
- Avoid Hot Water: Never use boiling water to clean or soak your dentures, as it can cause the material (especially acrylic and Valplast) to warp permanently.
- Regular Dental Check-ups: We recommend you visit us at least once a year (or as directed) for a professional cleaning and examination. We will check the fit of your denture, screen for oral diseases, and assess the health of your gum tissue.
- Relining and Replacement: Over time, the contours of your jaw change. Dentures usually need a professional reline every few years and may need to be replaced entirely after 5 to 10 years to maintain optimal function and health.
