Dental Dentures

626.304.3004

| 800 S. Fairmount Ave, Ste 100 | Pasadena, CA 91105

A conventional denture

When all your upper or lower teeth are missing, a full denture is a good treatment for replacing them.
With proper home care and regular adjustments and relines, your denture can provide a functional bite and a natural-looking smile.

Placing a full denture

The process of making a full denture varies in each case, and it usually involves a series of appointments. The first step is to take impressions of your mouth. An accurate model is made from these impressions, and the lab uses this model to create the denture base. In many cases, a wax rim is mounted on the base for you to try in. This helps confirm the correct relationship between the upper and lower teeth.

The lab then creates a wax replica of the final denture, called a wax-up. You will try in the wax-up, and we will note any changes to the fit of the base and to the color, shape, and placement of the teeth. We then send the wax-up back to the lab, and they process it to create the final denture.

When the denture is ready, you try it in, and we make any necessary adjustments.

The benefits of a full denture

Dentures have many benefits. When your natural teeth are missing, dentures enable you to eat nutritious foods more easily and to speak more clearly. In addition, they support your lips and cheeks for a more attractive and youthful appearance.

What's involved in getting new dentures?

Typically with standard dentures it takes a few weeks and normally 4 or 5 appointments. These include:

Impressions – a mould is taken of your gums and/or teeth
Bite registration – we measure how you bite and select your new teeth with you
Wax try-in – you get to see your new denture and try them on before they are actually finished
Finish – you get to wear your new teeth home

With higher end dentures such as precision or BPS there are other appointments involved.

What's the best way to get used to new dentures?

As with any new appliance, dentures may feel quite odd, usually they feel big. They may cause increased saliva flow or they may alter speech. One should start by cutting food into small pieces, avoid hot foods, and avoid hard foods until the tissue, where the denture rests, becomes used to the new teeth. As time goes by, one will become accustomed to them. This will take time and you may get some sores initially, don’t panic.

My dentures are loose.... what should I do?

As the years pass, the tissue and bone may shrink slightly. As this happens your dentures will then loosen. Also, as you lose or gain weight, you may notice that the denture may loosen. Dentures can be relined to help them fit snug again. However, if their bases are too far gone, you may need to get a new denture. If your denture is more than a year or two old and you are using Fixodent everyday… your dentures are too loose and you could benefit from a reline. Relines are usually done same day and should be done every couple of years.

Do I brush them like regular teeth?

Dentures should be cleaned, if possible, after each meal. The best way is to remove them and rinse them. If one is able to, brushing the dentures is advised, as well as rinsing the mouth to clean it of any debris. If some natural teeth do remain, brushing them is always suggested. Soak your dentures at night after brushing them, if you wish you can use a denture cleaner like Renew. Do not allow them to dry out because they may warp. It is also much healthier to keep your dentures out overnight to avoid excessive pressure on the soft tissue and bone. Always remember to brush your tongue and lightly brush the gums with a soft toothbrush. Special denture brushes should be used on the dentures. You should not use regular toothpaste on dentures, it is too abrasive.

Should dentures be worn at night?

Under normal circumstances it is considered best to remove them at night. Research has shown that removing the denture for at least eight hours during either the day or night allows the gum tissue to rest and allows normal stimulation and cleansing by the tongue and saliva. This promotes better long-term health of gums.

Do I still need checkups since I don't have any natural teeth?

It is important to continue having regular checkups so that your Denturist can examine your oral tissues and your dentures. As you age, your mouth will continue to change as the bone under your denture shrinks or recedes. To maintain a proper fit over time, it is necessary to adjust, reline or remake your denture. Never attempt to adjust a denture yourself and do not use denture adhesives for a prolonged period of time. When in doubt, consult your Denturist.

The quality and durability of our denture products are unmatched, and we take pride in using the highest-rated materials and labs available.

Full Denture Procedure

Alternatives to Full Dentures

Homecare: Removable Restoration

Chewing and eating

If we used anesthetic during the procedure, avoid chewing until the numbness has worn off completely.

To protect your implants and denture, avoid chewing ice or other hard objects.

Brushing and flossing

Brush your dentures with a soft toothbrush, and floss them thoroughly every day. We may recommend special floss, brushes, mouth rinses, or other cleaning aids to keep the area free of bacteria.

Brush and floss your tongue, gums, palate, and any remaining teeth twice a day to keep them free of plaque and bacteria.

Caring for your denture

To keep your denture free of plaque, rinse it with cool water after every meal. Thoroughly clean all surfaces of the denture with a denture brush and a commercial denture cleaning product at least once a day. It’s important to keep dentures clean to prevent irritation, permanent staining, and bad breath.

We may ask you to remove your denture for sleeping, or for at least six to eight hours a day. Store your denture in cool water whenever it’s out of your mouth. You can also soak your denture in a commercial soaking solution. After soaking, rinse dentures in cool water.

When to call us

Call us if your bite feels uneven or your dentures become loose, you have persistent swelling or discomfort, or you have any questions or concerns

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