Modern dentures have been an established part of the world for a while. They started using acrylic resin in the 1930s, and millions of Americans have worn them ever since. However, these facts haven’t kept denture-related stereotypes and myths from popping up. Even now, people overestimate, underestimate, or exaggerate how such restorations work. That being the case, your Cary dentist is here to clarify a few things. Read on to learn four debunked myths about false teeth and why they aren’t true.
“Dentures Last a Lifetime!”
Unfortunately, dentures can’t work for your whole life. Even well-maintained ones will only last for 5-8 years. Cheaper models might break even sooner. In any event, the appliance naturally wears out over time as you use it to chew and bite.
On the other hand, *dental implants* can last a lifetime. As such, studies suggest high-quality implant dentures are functional for 30 years or more. Even these, though, will need replacement at least once in your lifetime.
“Having Dentures Means I Don’t Need a Dentist”
Denture-wearers will still need to visit the dentist regularly. Doing so ensures the prosthetic still fits correctly and that your gums are healthy. After all, dentures are slightly more trouble to care for than natural teeth. Since you might miss areas where plaque sticks to them, you’ll want a dentist to confirm the state of your mouth.
Even if they’re clean, dentures can cause problems that only dentists can diagnose and treat. These include sore spots caused by uneven pressure, dry mouth, and oral infections.
“Denture Fit Problems Can Be Fixed with a Reline”
Denture relines work best when your dentures already fit well, but your oral tissues shrank because of gum recession. The reline can then build up the denture to fit as it initially did.
Consequently, relines can’t help if dentures don’t fit each other or if the prosthetic was poorly-fit in the first place. It’s thus essential to get them fitted right the first time.
“I’ll Need Special Adhesive if I Get Dentures”
Most patients only need adhesive when their denture isn’t correctly fitted. By helping maintain the seal between your appliance and your gums, it improves the suction that holds dentures in place.
When dentures fit well, though, they maintain their seal without adhesive. In other words, their suction works well enough on its own. For example, FOY® Dentures often don’t need glue at all.
As you can see, many popular ideas about dentures just aren’t true. Feel free to talk with your local dentist about other facts regarding this dental restoration.
About the Author
Dr. Darren Koch is a dentist based in Cary, NC, having earned his DDS from the University of Buffalo. He is also a member of the American Dental Association, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the North Carolina Dental Society. Thanks to this background, his specialties are preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental treatments, even including emergency dentistry. Dr. Koch currently practices at his self-titled clinic and is reachable by phone at (919)-859-6633.
