MetroWest DENTURE CLINIC things to read 5BEFORE GETTING DENTURES
If you need new dentures, or have never had a denture, it s perfectly normal to feel unsettled about what to expect. It s not always easy to make an informed decision about how to get comfortable, natural and aesthetically pleasing dentures. We hope the following information will help you make a smooth transition to new or better dentures. 1. Understand why you need denture care in the first place There are many reasons why you might need denture care. You might have experienced tooth loss and need to have them for the first time. Your current dentures are having a negative impact on your quality of life. You don t like the way your current dentures look. Sometimes dentures can be loose or uncomfortable when you re eating, smiling or talking. You might have been told that this is as good as you can expect, or that using denture adhesive is normal. The good news is you don t need to put up with anything less than great dentures. With dedicated professional denture care, your quality of life can improve.
2. Choose a clinician with skill and knowledge It may sound obvious to say, but it s worth taking the time to find a clinician you can trust. Ideally, they should have: the skill and knowledge to correctly identify your denture needs a high level of clinical ability to produce accurate records of your gums, any remaining teeth and the relationship between your jaws precision and technical excellence in denture construction. All of these qualities are necessary and of equal importance. Failure in one can lead to uncomfortable and unsatisfactory dentures. Here are some questions you can ask a clinician to help your decision: 1. What recent training have you done to advance your denture care skills and knowledge? 2. What advances in technology have you invested in? 3. What denture teeth and base material will your dentures will be constructed from? 4. Where are your dentures made? Are they made with TGA approved materials? 5. What is your care plan for me during and after treatment? 6. Tell me about your inter-professional referral relationships. 7. What kind of warranty do you offer? 8. Are you the practice owner of the practice? Can you guarantee ongoing care? It can be beneficial to book a consultation so you can assess how comfortable you are with the clinician. It can also be helpful to seek a second opinion.
3. Know the difference between a dental prosthetist and a dentist Dental prosthetists and dentists are registered with the Australian Health Professional Registration Authority to provide denture care. Typically, a dentist will carry out only the clinical aspect of your care and outsource the technical component of denture construction. Dental prosthetists are trained in both clinical and technical components of denture care. They are the only oral health professional solely trained to focus on denture care. Because of this, they are able to pay attention to the fine detail. For instance, when dentures are being made, it s important to think about how the chewing teeth are arranged. This doesn t just refer to how they meet when you close them together, but how the teeth move over each other when you chew. Dentures made without attention to this detail will jump about during eating and cause discomfort. Most dental prosthetists design and make the dentures they fit. They have extensive knowledge of the latest advances in technology, techniques and trends.
4. Appreciate that denture care is both science and art A great smile created by quality denture care is a combination of both science and art. It s the result of careful tooth selection and arrangement. It s essential that the clinician who custom makes your dentures fully considers the uniqueness of your anatomy. This includes everything from the shape of your jaw, the shape of your face, the size of your gums, the colour of your skin, the state of your remaining teeth and any personal preferences. The clinician also needs to understand which denture teeth to choose. Quality, endurance, resistance, shape and form vary across the multitude of tooth makes in Australia. The ultimate result can make the difference between natural and aesthetic dentures or ones that look and feel artificial (the picket fence look).
5. Relax to help your clinician get the best results Making good dentures needs a certain level of cooperation between the patient and oral health clinician. You can contribute to the process by feeling as comfortable as possible, especially during the capture of clinical records and impressions. The jaw is the most complex joint in the body. Accurate recording of the relationship between upper and lower jaws, and how it moves when eating, helps maximise comfort and denture stability. Impressions need to be precise to record the fitting surface on the gums and denture boundaries. Where to from here? Having knowledge goes a long way in helping you make informed decisions about your denture care. If there s anything you d like to ask us, we d be happy to help. phone (07) 3172 3810 Jindalee Medical Centre Unit 5, 132 Yallambee Rd Jindalee Queensland 4074 dentureclinicbrisbane.com.au MetroWest DENTURE CLINIC