Full-mouth dentures usually last up to 10 years, and partial dentures can last up to 15 years. Proper denture care and maintenance can prolong the lifespan of your dentures significantly.
To begin, you’ll come to Stroing and White dental for a consultation with Dr. Stroing or Dr. White. It’s important to discuss all of your options for tooth replacement, including dentures, bridges, and even dental implants. Together, you and Dr. White or Dr. Stroing can decide if dentures are right for you.
If you are getting partial dentures and have some unhealthy teeth, these must be extracted so that we can replace them. And if you’re getting full-mouth dentures, all of your remaining teeth must be pulled before you can be fitted for your new smile.
After your extractions and any other necessary treatments, you’ll be fitted for your dentures. Dr. Stroing or Dr. White will take impressions of your mouth and create a bite mold. They will work with a dental lab to create a set of test dentures made of wax. Once your test dentures arrive, you’ll come in to try them on. Then, we can make any necessary adjustments and get a new set of test dentures. You may need to come in for multiple appointments over several weeks to ensure your new smile fits perfectly.
Once your test dentures are perfect, Dr. Stroing or Dr. White will order your final set of partial or full dentures, which will be built from durable, high-quality materials by our partner dental lab. Once your final set of dentures arrives at our office, you’ll come and pick them up. Dr. Stroing or Dr. White will check the fit one last time, then send you home with some instructions on how to care for your new smile.
Attending regular teeth cleanings will help to set your smile up for success. We’ll ensure that your grin is healthy and strong, and keep an eye on any potential issues. For most patients, it’s recommended to schedule regular appointments every six months so your dental hygienist can address any minor plaque, bacteria, or minor stains that may have built up since your last visit.
Keeping diligent with your at-home oral care routine is equally as important as getting professional cleanings, and is the best way to keep your smile healthy. Brush at least twice a day for two minutes at a time using fluoride-rich toothpaste. Also, make sure to floss at least once per day, ideally at the end of the day, to remove food particles, plaque, and bacteria that brushing alone can’t take care of.
Full or “complete” dentures are used to restore the upper, lower, or both rows of teeth. As mentioned, they require the removal of all of your remaining teeth. They consist of a gum-colored plastic base, which holds a full set of upper or lower teeth.
Because all of your teeth must be pulled to get full dentures, even if they're healthy, they are usually only recommended for people with extensive dental trauma, gum disease, tooth decay, or other oral health issues that have affected most or all of their teeth.
Fluoride treatments are easy to add to any routine preventive visit, and are great for helping keep dental decay at bay. After your cleaning, your dentist will apply a fluoride-rich varnish or gel to your teeth, and leave it in place for several minutes before rinsing it away. Fluoride helps to strengthen your enamel through a process called “remineralization,” which works by attracting minerals like calcium and phosphates to your teeth, helping to restore their hardness and increase their resistance to acids.
Dental sealants are most commonly recommended for children who may be high-risk for tooth decay, but they’re also a great option for patients of any age who wish to protect themselves from developing cavities. A relatively straight-forward procedure, dental sealants start with the application of dental resin, usually to the rear teeth, as they have more grooves and uneven surfaces where plaque and bacteria can easily hide. A UV light will be used to cure the resin, hardening it and creating a powerful barrier between your enamel and food debris, acid, or bacteria. When applied correctly, dental sealants can last for years!
Many patients struggle with gum disease, and if left untreated, can risk losing their teeth and other problems. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, and is the only stage that can actually be reversed with deep cleanings and attentive at-home hygiene. If you have gum disease, keeping up with your regular cleanings and checkups will help you gain control over your oral health before it’s too late!
For patients with more advanced stages of periodontitis, we recommend scheduling deep cleanings at more frequent intervals, usually every three to four months. Although the effects of advanced gum disease can’t be reversed, deep cleanings, scaling, and root planing can halt the progression of periodontitis and help preserve your oral health.
Oral cancer screenings are an important part of every preventive care visit. Catching oral cancer in its early stages allows us to stop it before it spreads, and can save your life. That’s why we’ll always check for signs of oral cancer at every preventive visit.
Your dentist will examine your oral tissues, like your gums and tongue, keeping an eye out for abnormalities like lesions, lumps, discolorations. If we find anything unusual, we’ll take a biopsy and send it out to a specialist for a thorough analysis. Although oral cancer isn’t overly common, it’s important to remain proactive and consistent with your oral healthcare routine, so we can identify any issues before they become major problems.
Teeth grinding and clenching while sleeping is a common issue faced by many patients. Night guards are a great solution for this unconscious clenching, also known as bruxism. Night guards form a soft barrier that protects your teeth from damage caused by the pressure of clenching and grinding. Your dentist will take an impression or a scan of your teeth and gums to create a unique mold that will be sent to a dental lab, where your night guard will be custom-crafted. Night guards work by easing the tension in your jaw, alleviating the painful headaches and other side effects of clenching and grinding, so you can get the sleep you need and keep your teeth from wearing down.
Sports mouth guards are worn over the teeth, just like night guards. However sports guards are designed specifically to protect your smile from dental injuries that are so common when playing high-intensity impact sports. Custom-fitted sports guards can help protect athletes from oral trauma caused by collisions to the mouth, face, and head. If you play football, basketball, baseball, soccer, rugby, hockey, gymnastics, mountain biking, or other activities that put you at risk for injury due from falls, body contact, or flying objects, ask us about getting fitted for a custom sports guard today! Tailored to fit your unique smile, sports guards are comfortable, durable, and won’t stop you from playing the sports you love.
If you need dentures, the first step should be to visit our dental office in Red Bluff for a consultation with one of our dentists, Dr. Leah Stroing or Dr. Megan White. The dentist will assess your mouth and discuss your denture treatment options.
Our dentists may also take impressions and X-rays of your mouth to determine what type of dentures suits you. They will then send the impressions to a dental lab to build custom dentures that fit your mouth seamlessly. Once your dentures are ready, Dr. Stroing or Dr. White will place them and make the necessary adjustments to ensure they fit perfectly.
Dentures are usually not painful. However, it's normal to experience some discomfort and minor irritation when you're first fitted. This is because your mouth needs to get accustomed to the new dentures.
The discomfort should disappear when you get used to wearing your dentures. But if it persists or you notice uneven pressure, pain, jaw soreness, or other serious symptoms, you should contact us immediately. Regular visits to our practice can also help ensure your dentures are properly adjusted, and your healing process is smooth.
The lifespan of dentures varies widely depending on their type and quality and how well they are cared for. However, even the highest quality ones won't last forever. On average, dentures can last between 5 and 7 years with proper care. Permanent dentures need to be replaced every seven to ten years.
It is important to make routine dental appointments so your dentures can be checked and adjusted to ensure they are working perfectly.
Dentures are expertly made from an acrylic base secured to a series of artificial teeth. The base is designed to mimic the actual color of your gums and is built with acrylic teeth.
On the other hand, partial dentures (used to cover a few teeth) are made of a metal base covered in plastic to provide a more natural look.
Yes. You should remove your dentures every night, regardless of the type you are using. This lets you clean them and allows the gums and tissues to rest while keeping your mouth healthy and bacteria-free.
Wearing your dentures is a bad idea as it can trigger a variety of health issues, such as infection, gum pain, and sore spots. Removing and cleaning your dentures every night before you sleep can help prolong their lifespan and enhance your comfort when wearing them.
Need dentures in Red Bluff, CA? Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our dentists, Dr. Leah Stroing and Dr. Megan White, and let them help you create the smile you've always desired.