Dr. Afsoon Gerayli DDS.

Dentures Tarzana, CA

Recipient of the 2014 Los Angeles Top Rated Doctors Award

UCLA graduate and Award-winning general & Cosmetic Dentist in Los Angeles, CA.

Memberships

Dentures have evolved considerably from the ones worn by George Washington. Although dentures overall are not considered as ideal as implants, they do offer a more affordable way to eat, smile and laugh with confidence. Furthermore, dentures can be relined if they begin to slip due to resorption or jaw bone shrinkage.

Complete Dentures

Complete dentures are classified as "conventional" or "immediate." A conventional denture is ready for placement in the mouth about two to three months after the teeth have been extracted and the gum tissue has begun to heal.

Immediate dentures

Immediate dentures are made in advance and can be positioned and worn by the patient during the healing period as soon as the teeth are extracted. The main downside of immediate dentures is that they require more adjustments to fit properly compared to conventional dentures. This is because bones and gums reduce in size over time, especially during the body's recuperation process after tooth extraction. Therefore, immediate dentures generally should only be considered a temporary fix until conventional dentures can be fabricated.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are used when one or more natural teeth are left in the upper or lower jaw. It replaces the gaps created by missing teeth, and prevents other teeth from moving out of their position. A bridge or detachable partial denture is made up of one or just a few teeth attached to a flesh-colored plastic foundation, and is sometimes connected by metal clasps that anchor the denture inside the mouth. A partial precision denture is a more natural-looking detachable appliance that has inner fixings rather than clasps that latch onto the neighboring crowns. A bridge is an incomplete denture that is permanently secured in the mouth by being cemented to the adjacent teeth or roots. It is important for patients to find out how much of the cost their denture insurance provider will cover before getting their dentures.

How Dentures Are Made

Dr. Afsoon Gerayli will decide what type of denture is best for you. Dentures are made in stages and take a few weeks and several appointments to complete. The basic steps to make dentures are the following:

  1. She makes a series of jaw impressions and takes measurements of how much space is between your jaws and your jaws’ interaction with one another
  2. A dental lab will then create wax forms, plastic/patterns and/or models of the patient's mouth using these impressions. The laboratory technician will slowly begin constructing the dentures on these models, transferring them to the patient's mouth at each step to ensure proper fit; dental fittings are done to establish a proper bite, and ensure that the denture’ aesthetics and appearance are desirable.
  3. You will "try in" this model several times before the final denture is fabricated. Any future adjustments to your newly made dentures will be done as needed.

The Feel of New Dentures

Wearing new dentures may feel awkward and even slip up and down for the first 14 days you wear them. This is because the muscles of the cheeks and tongue need time to adjust to your new teeth. Your saliva flow may also increase when you first start wearing dentures but should level off after awhile.

Will I Look the Same Wearing Dentures?

Patients are often concerned about how their new teeth will make them look. Since dentures are fashioned to closely resemble your natural teeth, there should only be a few differences in your appearance. Dentures can actually help improve your appearance by lifting your face and providing you with a beautiful smile.

Will New Dentures Make Eating Difficult?

It takes practice eating with new dentures and may be even uncomfortable for some wearers for a few weeks. Eat soft foods cut into small pieces as you get used to your new dentures and eat slowly on dual sides of your mouth. Gradually add other foods into your diet as you grow more and more accustomed to your new dentures. Be cautious eating with hard or hot foods or foods with shells or sharp-edged bones. Stay away from extremely sticky foods, avoid chewing gum or using toothpicks while you wear your dentures.

Will Dentures Change My Speech?

You may have difficulty pronouncing certain words after getting dentures. Practice by saying difficult words out loud. Eventually you will become accustomed to speaking properly with dentures with practice with time. Contact Victory Cosmetic Dentistry if your dentures "click" while you're talking. Sometimes dentures may occasionally slip when you smile, cough, or laugh. If this occurs, realign the dentures by gently pushing down and swallowing. If any speech problem continue,speak to Dr. Afsoon Gerayli.

Cleaning Your Dentures

Remember, to rinse your dentures and clean your mouth after removing them. Brush your dentures at least daily and soak your dentures overnight. Make sure to first wash off your dentures of any denture-soaking solution or other residue before you wear them again.

Can Dentures Be Worn 24 Hours a Day?

Dr. Afsoon Gerayli will let you know exactly when to wear your dentures and when to take them out which may be all the time, including while you sleep. This practice may be temporarily uncomfortable, but pinpoints the areas on the denture that may need adjustment. Once dental revisions are made, you should take out your dentures before you go to bed; this lets gum tissues to rest and natural stimulation and cleansing by the saliva and tongue. The dentures can be put back in your mouth in the morning.