When Should You Replace Your Dentures?

Costmetic Dentistry in Portland OR

At Classic Denture Center, we offer cosmetic dentistry in Portland OR that can provide you with a beautiful and comfortable smile day after day! Our removable dentures are custom made to fit your mouth and can be expected to last 5-7 years. They are designed with denture teeth and denture acrylic.

Over time, the teeth may begin to wear or break, leading to them no longer fitting in the way they once did.

Today we would like to discuss the important advantages of investing in your smile by replacing your dentures on a regular basis.

Like we mentioned above, your dentures will need to be replaced every 5 – 7 years. Many patients will be surprised by this number and let us know that they have heard of dentures that lasted much longer, but it is unlikely that they lasted that long while being fully functional and comfortable.

Why your dentures won’t last forever:

  • In 5 – 7 years, you will enjoy eating approximately 7,665 meals! Not even including snacks
  • Most people chew about 12 times before they swallow. Meaning that your dentures can sustain over 5,518,800 chewing cycles before replacement
  • The average person’s mouth will change over that period of time, enough so that the dentures no longer fit into the grooves of your mouth
  • Dentures are fragile enough that they can break when dropped, and many people do end up dropping theirs at some point or another

So what happens to your dentures as they age?

The teeth on your dentures can be expected to wear over time. As this happens your bite will become a bit more “closed” and the vertical dimension of your face can actually start to shrink. Also, as your denture teeth wear, you will experience a more labored chewing experience and difficulty eating the foods you love.

Over time, your dentures will no longer fit as well as they did in the beginning. This is due to the fact that the gums and bone will shrink just a bit and cause the denture to no longer fit as close to the gums. This may cause slippage and a need for extra adhesive to be used. The stress caused by years of chewing can cause them to begin to chip, crack, or even de-bond.

So if you begin noticing that your dentures no longer fit as well as they did, or if you are experiencing difficulty in maintaining that beautiful smile of yours, contact your denturist at Classic Denture Center. We can replace your dentures before they really start to cause you major issues!

Don’t forget to ask us about how we can improve your experience with cosmetic dentistry in Portland OR. Your smile is our favorite part of what we do!

6 Important Times to Call Your Denturist

Denturist Portland OR

Do you have cracked, broken or stained dentures? If you do, Classic Denture Center is here to help you with all of your denture repair needs.

It is important to seek help as soon as you notice damage to your dentures to avoid further damage.

If you are wondering about what types of repairs your local Denturist in Portland OR can perform, we have listed a few below: 

  1. Cracked or broken teeth: One of the most common types of damage we see is breakage. In many instances, this happens when our patients drop their dentures into the sink or onto the floor when taking them out or putting them back in place. Breakage can also occur when biting into something hard. In most cases, if you come into our office right away, your cracked or broken false teeth can be repaired. That said, if you attempt to use a DIY repair kit, you could make the problem worse. Try to remember that non-professional denture repairs may lead to further complications in adjustment and durability at some point or another. It is also important to know that poor quality repairs are in many cases more difficult to undo than repairing it professionally the first time.
  2. Worn teeth: Wearing your dentures day after day can lead to wear and tear. If they are exposed to strong temperature differentials or teeth grinding habits, they could wear earlier and require repair. So if you notice signs of wear pop up early on, your denturist can repair or replace individual teeth.
  3. Lost teeth: If you have experienced tooth loss, your denturist can replace them easily without making you compromise fit, comfort, or aesthetic.
  4. Adding teeth: In some cases, our patients may experience the loss of additional natural teeth. When this happens, your dentures can in many cases be adapted to the new space. We can add extra teeth to replace the newly extracted or broken natural teeth and you can go back to your daily life.
  5. Adjustments: At some point or another, you will likely need an adjustment for your dentures. This can happen for a number of reasons. Maybe you are experiencing normal wear of the denture or a change in the gums underneath. If this is the case, a denture can be relined to renew the contact area with the gum. On the other hand, your denturist may suggest having your dentures rebased, which means refabricating the pink acrylic of the denture that holds the teeth in place.
  6. Stain removal: If you are noticing a great deal of staining on your dentures, your Denturist in Portland OR is professionally equipped to remove all kinds of stains from your dentures safely and without leaving behind damage to the finish.

Have you been putting off an important denture repair? If so, it’s time to take the next step and contact us! We want to make sure that you love your smile every single day, from how it looks to how it feels!

4 Common Sense Reasons to Consider Dentures

denture implants in Portland OR

We are often asked if dentures or dental implants are a good solution for missing or decaying teeth and our typical response is an unequivocal yes. This is because there are so many benefits to moving to dentures if you are experiencing the following problems with your mouth:

  • A decrease in function because of pain or missing teeth
  • A loss of self-confidence because you don’t like your smile
  • The decay in your mouth is causing erosion or damage to your gums

Today we would like to offer 4 points to think about when considering dentures or dental implants in Portland OR:

  1. Self-confidence: Your missing teeth can be a source of embarrassment for you; this is especially true if you are missing front teeth. Dealing with being self-conscious about your smile can cause discomfort during social and work interactions. Making the choice to get fitted with great-quality dentures from Classic Denture Center can allow you to regain self-confidence and actually enjoy interacting with others again. Your new dentures can also allow you to enjoy the food that you may have been missing out on due to your missing teeth.
  2. Comfort: Getting fitted with dentures that are comfortable can make a big difference in quality of life. In fact, most of our clients inform us that they forget they even have them in place. Today’s dentures are not like the ones from previous generations. Nowadays we take the time to properly fit our patients for their dentures by getting an impression of their gums. This part of the process allows your denturist to perfectly fabricate a set of dentures that fit the gum contour and jaw. This technology allows dentures to hold in place with natural suction to the gums and cause no irritation.
  3. Health: When spaces within your mouth are left empty by missing teeth, your teeth that are adjacent to and opposite of the empty spaces may shift to compensate for the open space. This can lead to discomfort with your bite and jaw. The best way fight shifting is to compensate for missing teeth with great fitting dentures.
  4. Several options available: Your denturist is a great wealth of knowledge when it comes to your options with your brand new dentures. There are so many different factors to consider, like the condition of the remaining natural teeth, gum health, and cost. Your denturist can help you determine the best course of action for you! Some of the options you have with new dentures are partial dentures to replace one or more teeth, full dentures, temporary immediate dentures and implant retained dentures. Regardless of the option you choose, new dentures are a simple and pain-free alternative to dealing with the discomfort and embarrassment of missing or decaying teeth.

If you have any questions about dentures or dental implants in Portland OR, please contact Classic Denture Center today! Our friendly staff is always ready and happy to help you take the next step toward a beautiful smile!

4 Vital Tips To Avoid Unnecessary Denture Repair

Denture Repair in Portland OR

At Classic Denture Center, we provide our clients with high-quality dentures that are built to last. Your dentures are designed to serve you comfortably and look great for many years with proper care. To take care of your dentures and keep them looking great, you just need to maintain a simple daily routine over time.

To help you keep them looking great and avoid unnecessary denture repair in Portland OR, we recommend you remember the following:

  • Be careful when handling them: Your dentures are meant to hold up to the elements, but they can easily break if you drop them in the sink. To prevent breaking them, keep a firm grip when cleaning.
  • Clean them regularly: A simple rinse of your dentures thoroughly in warm water after each meal and brushing them at least twice a day will help you keep them clean and free of plaque. That said, using regular toothbrush and toothpaste can leave microscopic scratches on your dentures, causing plaque to build up. Warm water and a gentle brush should be enough to keep them looking great.
  • Keep them moist: Removing your dentures when you go to bed and letting them soak in water overnight will give both your mouth and your dentures a break. If you are planning to use a cleaning solution that could possibly tarnish the metal on your dentures, consult with your denturist first. It is also important to remember to never use bleach, vinegar or harsh soap because these materials could irreversibly damage your dentures. And don’t let your dentures dry out because they could lose their shape.
  • Don’t wrap them in a paper towel: We know many of our clients with dentures do this one quite often.  We caution against this practice when possible because so many dentures are accidentally lost or thrown away when doing this. A great alternative to a paper towel or napkin is a carrying case that you can keep in your purse or in a safe place while you are not wearing them.
  • Visit your Denturist regularly: As always, we recommend that you visit your Denturist regularly to catch any issues that could be popping up. It is a good idea to stay on top of these problems so that you can address them early, before they become a potentially more serious issue that requires a denture repair in Portland OR. It is also important to let your Denturist know if you are experiencing any discomfort or changes in how your dentures work for you.

If you have any questions at all about how to care for your dentures or suspect that you might need a denture repair, come see us Classic Denture Center today!

5 Critical Tips For Proper Denture Care

Cosmetic Dentistry Portland OR

Our cosmetic dentistry in Portland OR from Classic Denture Center is a fantastic restorative option our clients who may be missing one or more teeth. Our professional team does a great job at giving you a healthy, complete, and white smile.

Here are five tips for properly caring for your dentures and implants, to ensure you keep that great smile:

1) Dont forget to clean your dentures every single day 

Your dentures should be cleaned daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Even though they can’t get cavities, it is still possible for bacteria to settle on them. Toothpaste is not a great cleaning product for your dentures because it is often too abrasive. Instead, just gently brush and rinse them with water when you are done. It is also a good idea to always rinse your dentures with water after every meal. This will help to flush away excess food particles.

2) Practice good oral hygiene

Along with cleaning your dentures regularly, it is a good idea to make sure that you keep taking good care of your overall oral hygiene too. Using a soft toothbrush on any of your remaining natural teeth, your gums, the inside of your cheeks, and your palate can help improve your oral health. You should also continue flossing any natural teeth you have.

3) Handle your dentures with care

Your dentures can become broken or bent out of shape if they are dropped, so remember to handle your dentures carefully whenever you are putting them in, removing them, or holding outside of your mouth for any other reason.

4) Properly remove your dentures and store them while you sleep

If you have regular dentures, removing them and properly storing them at night will be part of your regular routine. Never keep them lying out in the open, as they have been known to crack or warp if they become too dry.

5) Visit your denturist on a regular basis

One of the most important tips for denture care is to visit Classic Denture Center on a regular basis to have your dentures cleaned, examined, and adjusted if they require it. You should know that your oral structures can change shape over time, which can result in a poor fit and discomfort and irritation.

At Classic Denture Center we offer our clients a variety of options for cosmetic dentistry in Portland OR. We can provide you with any denture service you need and are happy to make adjustments for a more comfortable fit or perform emergency denture repairs when needed.

Our favorite part of offering denture and implant services to our clients is that we get to watch their smile and their self-confidence change for the better!

If you’re looking for a denture clinic in Portland Oregon to help with your denture care routine, contact us to schedule an appointment today.