CONSIDERING DENTURES IN CINCINNATI? (here’s what you need to know)
If you’re considering dentures in Cincinnati, Advance Dentistry provides complete, partial, and implant-supported options to restore function and confidence.
THE BASICS
Dentures are removable appliances designed to replace missing teeth and help restore your smile.
If you’ve lost a significant number of your natural teeth, (due to causes ranging from tooth decay to gum disease, or even injury) replacing those missing teeth will benefit both your appearance and your overall oral health.
Our Cincinnati dentists tailor every denture to your needs for a secure, natural-looking result.
GOOD TO KNOW
As people age, their mouths (and subsequently, their dentures) will change. The bony ridges that support dentures will gradually shrink over time, which can cause dentures to become loose.
After a tooth is extracted, the surrounding bone can shrink by as much as 40% in the first year alone. Over time, this bone loss can change your bite and make your denture less stable, which is why ongoing denture care is important.
Regular dental visits at our Cincinnati offices allow us to:
- Monitor changes in fit
- Check for sore spots or appliance damage
- Screen for oral cancer and gum concerns
- Determine when a denture reline or implant support may be needed
Denture relines (refitting your dentures to keep the fit snug and comfortable) help keep your appliance secure and functional. For some patients, dental implants can provide stronger support, especially for lower dentures that naturally have less suction.
TYPES OF DENTURES
(Available at Advance Dentistry Cincinnati)
1) Complete Dentures
These replace all of the teeth.
These rest on the gums that cover the jawbones.
2) Partial Dentures
These replace some (but not all) of the teeth.
These “partials” also rest on the gum tissue but are supported by teeth that are still present.
3) Implant-supported dentures
When all of the teeth are missing and dentures have little to no suction (as is the case with most lower dentures), implants are used to help secure the denture to the bone.
IMMEDIATE DENTURES
(Same-day extractions and teeth replacement in Cincinnati)
Immediate dentures are placed in the same appointment after the removal of remaining teeth. This option is ideal for patients preparing for full dentures but who don’t want to go without teeth during the healing process (which can take up to six months).
How Are Immediate Dentures Made?
- We take impressions of your existing teeth and gums
- The denture is designed based on how your mouth will likely look after extractions
- Following surgery, the denture is inserted immediately
As your bone and gums continue to heal over the following months, the denture will naturally become looser as the tissue shrinks.
During this time, our Cincinnati team recommends:
- Using denture adhesives for stability
- Scheduling follow-up visits for comfort adjustments
- Planning for the first laboratory reline to improve the fit once initial healing is complete
When extra shrinkage occurs early, before a hard reline is possible, a soft reline (adding a cushion-like substance to the inside of the dentures) can improve comfort and hold.
“HARD RELINE” PROCEDURE
Once healing is complete (typically 6 months), a hard reline reshapes the inside of your denture to fit your healed gums more accurately. This improves stability, comfort, and bite alignment.
We physically send the denture to our lab, which leaves the patient without their appliance for several days. Lab relines are an additional charge of $596.
DENTURE ADJUSTMENTS AND “SORE SPOTS”
Adjustments are a normal part of wearing dentures.
After surgery, swelling makes the denture fit tightly. As with breaking in a new pair of shoes, a bit of movement can create sore spots on the gums. Since dentures rest on soft tissue that naturally shifts, occasional irritation can occur.
Our doctors at Advance Dentistry Cincinnati are happy to make any needed adjustments to relieve pressure and help you heal comfortably.
During the first 6 months (the healing period), these follow-ups are included. After a hard reline has been completed, additional care may involve extra charges.
CLEANING YOUR DENTURES
Good home care keeps both your dentures and your mouth healthy.
For best results:
- Brush your dentures daily using a soft toothbrush and dish soap + water
(Do not use toothpaste. it is too abrasive on denture material) - Remove them at night to reduce bone loss and allow your gums to rest
- Keep them in water or a denture solution whenever they are not in your mouth
CHANGING BONE
The changes that occur within the mouth over time can be quite dramatic. This is why patients who wear dentures should have yearly exams.
- A relining of the dentures is suggested every 3-5 years.
- New dentures should be made every 5-10 years.
Patients wear out their dentures at different rates. For some individuals, it happens quicker (often due to grinding or the presence of natural teeth that bite against the dentures). For some, this fatigue takes longer to occur.
Again, dentures should NOT be worn at night.
Wearing them at night can greatly increase the shrinkage and change that occurs within the bone. This is because they put pressure on the gums and, consequently, the bony ridges beneath them. That pressure leads to resorption, a process that results in a gradual decrease in bone volume and density.
Resorption and bone loss are accelerated if dentures are worn 24 hours per day.
GOOD ORAL HYGIENE TIPS
(For denture-wearers in Cincinnati)
An effective oral hygiene routine for denture-wearers should include the following steps:
1) Remove and rinse your dentures after eating.
2) Brush your dentures at least once a day with a soft toothbrush or denture brush.
Use dish soap, liquid antibacterial soap, or a denture cleanser.
Do NOT use toothpaste; it is too abrasive.
NOTE:
Using an effervescent (fizzing) tablet can not substitute for this type of manual cleaning, as some effort is often required to remove the plaque or film that develops on the dentures.
3) Store your dentures in water or, better yet, an alkaline peroxide-based solution made specifically for this purpose.
4) Brush your gums and tongue every day with an extra-soft toothbrush (not the one you use for cleaning your dentures) or clean them with a damp washcloth.
5) Rinse your dentures before putting them back in your mouth.
Even without natural teeth, good oral hygiene matters for maintaining long-term oral and whole-body health.
QUESTIONS ABOUT DENTURES IN CINCINNATI?
WE’RE HERE TO HELP.
Have questions?
Not sure which denture option is right for you?
Just give us a call. We’re always happy to guide you.
513-982-5578
We look forward to helping you achieve a confident smile and better oral health.
Sincerely,
Dr. Scott Sayre, D.D.S.
& the Advance Dentistry Team
Proudly serving Greater Cincinnati communities with gentle, advanced denture care