A : Today, the science & technology behind Prosthodontics & Dental materials has become so advanced that you probably will barely notice a difference in your appearance. Each set of dentures is personalized to your gums,teeth, lips, tongue...your whole mouth. Additionally, before you're given your permanent dentures, dentures are made in wax for you to try them on and see how they look. Of course, there is a huge transformation from having just natural teeth and gums to the phase of having complete dentures which have a plate to support the artificial teeth. The tongue needs some adjustment as there is sharing of space available for tongue with the new dentures in place. This is corrected in due course of time. (15-20 days)

A : Getting dentures for the first time is an adjustment, to say the least. There are many things you're going to have to practice a little to truly master - and speaking is one. Don't worry - it's not like relearning how to speak completely. You may experience some lisping at first, but it shouldn't take long to re-teach your tongue and lips where they go to regain you original speech patterns.

A : Again, it's all an adjustment. Yes, you may have some difficulty at first, but you've spent a lifetime learning a particular way of eating. Now, you'll just need to tweak it a little. Because your natural teeth are rooted deep in your mouth, you tear your food away from its source. Picture biting into a piece of fruit. Normally, you would tear the piece you want to eat right away from the rest of the fruit. With dentures, you will learn how to bite into the food, and not pull your head away until it is already in your mouth. A small adjustment, but it will take some practice.

A : Again, it's all an adjustment. Yes, you may have some difficulty at first, but you've spent a lifetime learning a particular way of eating. Now, you'll just need to tweak it a little. Because your natural teeth are rooted deep in your mouth, you tear your food away from its source. Picture biting into a piece of fruit. Normally, you would tear the piece you want to eat right away from the rest of the fruit. With dentures, you will learn how to bite into the food, and not pull your head away until it is already in your mouth. A small adjustment, but it will take some practice.

A loose denture with poor gum support can be fixed firmly with the gums by support of dental implants to the extent that patients can eat ,speak and communicate confidently without the fear or consciousness of slipping of the denture. The chewing efficiency has been documented with scientific research to be way better than the conventional simple denture.

Yes, it can. Quite dramatic changes can be made especially when the natural teeth were unsightly.

Generally there are 3 step by step measurements involved where in an exact shape of gums is recorded and the height of dentures is determined. Following this, a trial denture out of wax is prepared in the laboratory which is worn by the patient at the time of denture try-in for patient approval and then finally the dentures are processed and delivered to the patient. The entire process is usually spread over a period of 7 to 10 days. Emergency cases may be done in lesser time as well with prior notice to the dental laboratory.

Full or complete dentures replace all the teeth in both jaws. A full denture replaces all the teeth in one jaw.

Full or complete dentures replace all the teeth in both jaws. A full denture replaces all the teeth in one jaw.

Fixed dentures are the latest technology in replacement dentistry wherein the dentures are fixed with the gums of the patient with the help of dental implants. It is the most acceptable , appreciated form of denture therapy wherein a patient can enjoy his food and appearance to the best of ability with the help of firmness and attachment of teeth with implants.

Definitely. Provided the old dentures are in good condition and they have been made of a good quality restorative material.

• Replacing unsightly diseased teeth will help you feel good about yourself.
• You can expect your dentures to look natural, unobtrusive and attractive.
• Physical appearance matters to us. Most of us want to look as good as possible.
• Having an attractive physical appearance improves self-esteem.

• Your dentist will examine your dental ridges (gums from where teeth have been removed) , and assess whether they are suitable to support dentures.
• Your "bite" will need to be re-established to facilitate chewing, and to restore the proper relationship between the jaws and face.
• The dentist will examine your mouth and face to decide how to improve your appearance.
• Teeth of the appropriate shade, shape and colour will be selected to suit your face. The aesthetics of the mouth are an important consideration.
• A measurement is made of how much of your front teeth will be seen when you smile.
• The dentist will design the denture to support to the lips and cheeks. This will prevent sunken cheeks and creasing at corners of the mouth.

Dentures make it possible to eat comfortably and well. This is a prerequisite for a balanced diet.

They will improve your appearance and will help to prevent lines and wrinkles from forming around the mouth, and the cheeks from falling in.

They will allow you to speak normally.

Dentures will help to maintain the correct alignment between the upper and lower jaws, and prevent jaw joint problems. Most importantly they will improve the psychological state of mind and will enhance your self-esteem. Living without teeth is like being physically handicapped �living without hands or legs.

No, you need not be without teeth.

• Dentures can be made before the teeth are extracted, and inserted directly after the teeth are removed.
• These are called immediate dentures.
• Immediate dentures will need to be adjusted periodically until they are comfortable.
• As healing progresses, the gums and underlying bone will smooth out and shrink.
• The immediate denture may then need to be relined or rebased to restore a close and comfortable fit.
• It will eventually become necessary to have new dentures made.

If old dentures have damaged the ridges of the jaws, the dentist may place a soft material in the old dentures to allow the tissues to recover. This is called "tissue conditioning".

If the shape and condition of the ridges are not suitable for dentures, surgical corrections are necessary.

The steps taken in having new dentures made are :

Dr. Shah will assess the condition of your mouth, ridges and facial contours.

Impressions of the jaws will be taken using an elastic material.

The alignment between the upper and lower jaws will be recorded.

Dr. Shah will consult and advise you on the colour, shape and size of teeth that will be suitable. Your age will be taken into account when making these decisions.

This information and all relevant records will be sent to the dental technician.

The dentures will be made according to the dentist's instructions.

A wax model of the final denture will be "tried in" the mouth to make sure that it looks right, and will function properly. This is the "try-in" stage.

With the temporary wax denture in your mouth the dentist will discuss and make any improvements that are needed.

After final corrections the wax denture is returned to the technician for final processing/fabrication.

Basically the base (plate) of the denture is made of gum-colored acrylic, which is sometimes reinforced with metal for extra strength.

The teeth are made of acrylic resin or porcelain. The material science advancements provide a number of options for the dentist and the patients to choose from. Depending on the cost viability from patient point of view, the options may be :

• A simple acrylic denture base and regular teeth set
• A medium strength denture base and hi impact teeth 2 layered set
• A high strength acrylic denture base and hi-impact 3 layered esthetic set (ivoclar-vivadent)
• A metal denture base and hi-impact 3 layered esthetic teeth set
• Most advanced injection moulding technology denture base and hi-strength hi-impact multi layered esthetic acrylic teeth set.

Probably. This will relieve your gums from day to day stresses and allow rest for the gums and the musculature. When dentures come out, they need to stored in the denture case (box) with water.

When a denture is replaced you can make the subtle changes needed to keep your teeth looking natural and suited to your face and age.

A replacement denture can be made to resemble the previous one. It will, however, have an improved fit and the necessary aesthetic changes.

Exact denture copying is possible.

There may be initial problems with stability and firmness, but these can be solved.

Upper dentures are held in place by suction and are always more stable than lower dentures. Lower dentures rest on the gums and are mainly kept in position by gravity. Some suction is possible. Very small adjustments to dentures can make remarkable improvements.

A denture can be clipped onto a few well-placed titanium implants to improve stability.

It is not uncommon for dentures to look and feel good right from the start.

Some adjustment and learning will be necessary before chewing is comfortable.

Initial difficulties with speech are usually short lived.

Tell your dentist if you have problems with "s" sounds or with "whistling".

Initially there will be a lot of salivation (water) in the mouth due to foreign body feeling.

Painful red spots caused by pressure of the denture may appear. All of these initial hiccups will subside in due course of time, with the combination of patient co-operation and denture adjustment by Dr Shah.

Dental adhesives can, however, improve the firmness of dentures, and some people prefer to use them.

Adhesives can help first time denture wearers to gain confidence and to adjust to their new dentures.

Current findings show that a faster and more natural rate of chewing is possible with the use of denture adhesives.

Adhesives can enhance the performance of dentures, and research has shown that older people can enjoy eating, and be better nourished as a result.

Discuss the use of adhesives with Dr Shah. There is a wide variety of denture adhesives available in the form of powders, creams, gels, pads, and strips.

It is not advisable to keep old ill-fitting dentures in place by using fixatives. This could cause ongoing damage to the dental ridges and the palate.

Dentures that are made over implants and teeth are called over-dentures. They greatly improve the firmness of the dentures, and prevent shrinkage of the ridges."Dentures anchored by implants result in a significantly better chewing performance than conventional removable dentures.�

Dr Alaap Shah sometimes saves some teeth rather than extract all of them. This is to preserve the ridges and to improve the firmness of the denture that will fit over them.

These retained teeth usually need root canal treatment, and may have metal crowns or covers placed over them over which the denture gets snugly fitting platform.

Like teeth, a dentist will recommend brushing your dentures after every meal. Obviously, this is not always a practical option. But you should clean your dentures as soon after you eat as possible. Take the dentures out and hold with your thumb and forefinger. Make sure wherever you're cleaning them, it's never over a hard surface. Put a towel down on the vanity, or make sure the sink is full of water. If you drop them, they won't break. Get a good denture brush and denture cleaner, both available in every day medical stores and brush thoroughly, as you would if the teeth were in your mouth. Avoid using bleaching agents, as they will discolor the pink acrylic for the gum line.

Dentures should be cleaned regularly and thoroughly every day.

This will prevent the build up of plaque, stains and food debris that can stick to the dentures.

Dentures should be cleaned with a soft nailbrush or a special denture brush, using a mild soap or special denture toothpaste. This will freshen the denture.

Brush all over the denture, not only around the teeth.

Always brush over a basin filled with water or over a damp cloth, as regular variety dentures are easily broken if dropped on a hard surface.

Chemical denture cleaners are also available. These include soaking solutions, creams or pastes.

It is important not to let the dentures dry out when they are out of the mouth as they may change their shape Keep them in water or in a soaking cleanser solution.

Your dentist may advise you to give the mouth tissues a rest by taking your dentures out at night before going to bed.

Denture sore mouth is recognized by redness interspersed with white patches, on the areas of the mouth covered by the denture. It is an infection caused by the "Candida Albicans" fungus. Despite its name, the condition is generally painless.

Consult Dr Shah if you are aware of this condition in your mouth. It is treated with anti-fungal medications.

The denture should be thoroughly cleaned and left out of the mouth for as long as possible, while you have the infection.

Dentures are unlikely to last a lifetime. All mouths change with age.

When gums and bone recede or shrink the dentures become loose and ill fitting,

This makes eating difficult. Food collects under loose dentures and can cause ulcers of the gums and palate.

The clicking sound of dentures indicates that they have lost their firmness.

Teeth may eventually wear down and become discoloured and unattractive.

Regular checks by the dentist will indicate when dentures need to be relined or need to be made again.