Dentures FAQ: St. Pete Dentist

dentures FAQ - 4th Street Family Dentistry

Dentures FAQ

Whether you need full dentures or partial dentures, 4th Street Family Dentistry can help. Restorative dentistry can help drastically improve your day to day life. We also understand that you may have plenty of questions about this next step on your oral healthcare journey. Dr. Brian Leeson hears all manner of questions from his patients who can benefit from dentures. In this article, Dr. Leeson answers dentures FAQ asked questions that might set your mind at ease about the dentures that can help restore your smile.

Do Dentures Look Fake?

Perhaps in years past, dentures looked incredibly fake. Today, your dentures can be designed to closely resemble natural teeth. Those around you will be hard-pressed to figure out that you’re wearing dentures unless you tell them. Just as you’d experience with crowns fitted by a cosmetic dentist, partial dentures can be matched to your surrounding natural teeth so that you get a perfectly seamless smile that you’ll be proud of.

What is the Dentures Process Like?

With standard dentures, it can take several weeks and a few appointments. Impressions will be taken, molds will be built, and several fittings will be needed to ensure a comfortable fit and a normal bite.

The process can vary between individuals, so it’s important to speak to your St. Pete dentist about the steps that may apply to you and your oral healthcare needs.

What Type of Dentures Can I Benefit From?

This is a highly individualized process. You may benefit from just a partial denture, or you may be better suited for a full set of dentures. You may be a good candidate for affixed dentures, or you may be better suited for removal dentures. Dr. Kristina Neda, a dentist who offers dentures in Georgetown, KY, says that what works for you will be based entirely on your personal preferences, budget, and the health of your teeth and gums.

How Do I Take Care of My Dentures?

Your dentures should be treated just like your natural teeth. Whether they are affixed or removable, you should brush them and use a quality mouthwash. This will help keep your dentures in tip-top shape and go a long way toward keeping them fresh and clean. Fresh breath is a must, and brushing your dentures after every meal will help you ensure that your breath is always minty fresh.

Do Dentures Hurt?

When you meet with the best dentist in St. Petersburg, FL, Dr. Brian Leeson, you’ll find that we take steps to ensure your comfort levels are maintained at every step of the process. If you need to have some natural teeth extracted before getting your dentures, you may experience some discomfort. It should not be overly painful, however.

Getting fitted for your dentures should offer mild discomfort at the most. Restorative dentist in Shreveport, LA, Dr. Ben Kacos, says there may be some minor irritation when you first wear your new dentures. This should fade quite soon, as your mouth adjusts to wearing the dentures.

If you experience anything more than irritation or discomfort, remember to reach out to your dentist so that we can find a solution to boost your comfort levels and minimize pain.

Will Dentures Change the way I Speak?

Missing teeth will alter the way that you sound when you speak. Wearing partial or complete dentures can help to improve your speech. If you do find that it’s difficult to pronounce some words when you’re wearing your new denture appliance, simply practice saying the words out loud. Repeating the words will help you to better accustom to saying them. If you find that you sound different from your new dentures in the first few days, don’t get discouraged. It just takes a bit of time to adjust to speaking with your new smile.

Am I a Candidate for Dentures?

Any person who is missing one or more teeth can benefit from some type of dental prosthetic. Partial dentures are important for those who have just a few teeth missing, as they can help keep your remaining healthy teeth from shifting around in your mouth. Dentures will improve your speech, your ability to chew and enjoy food. Also, they will provide facial support, which can go a long way toward improving your smile and your overall appearance. 

Are you ready to learn more about how you may benefit from dentures? Visit your dentist near me, Dr. Leeson, to understand the health of your teeth and your gums. If you have questions about the dentures FAQ above, contact 4th Street Dentistry. You may even be a good candidate for implant-supported dentures. 4th Street Family Dentistry can also serve as the go-to emergency dentist St. Pete patients turn to when there are dental emergencies.