Hello, my name is Dr. Marty Cloin of Arlington TX. I have been practicing dentistry for 27 years. A significant portion of my practice is dedicated to serving patients who are missing teeth with the correct planning and fitting of dentures.

Dentures are a fabulous solution for many patients, allowing them to regain control of their lives. Dentures can assist in every day tasks such as chewing food, speaking and communicating clearly to your friends, loved-ones and co-workers, and improving your digestion. Dentures have even helped people feel confident, and look years younger!

As a dentist, a common question I get at my office from patients who are new to dentures is, what are dentures?

What a good question, a short answer is that dentures are a prosthetic intended to replace teeth.

A longer answer is that dentures are a custom molded apparatus made to simulate the look and feel of real teeth and gums. Today’s modern dentistry offers a wide variety of denture solutions made from advanced materials that look and feel like real gums and teeth and are available at prices that fit all budgets.

If you are reading this you may be wondering about dentures for yourself or a loved one. You may be asking yourself, am I the ideal denture patient?

The fact is, our self esteem, our ability to smile, our career, and our relationships are more influenced by healthy looking teeth than perhaps any other characteristic. A full set of teeth enhance the beauty of the lower third of the human face, causing you to look your very best.

It is important to know that simply getting older is not a cause of tooth loss, in fact by brushing your teeth and flossing regularly, a patient can keep his or her teeth for their entire life. In my office however, I have found that patients who need dentures share some few common traits.

Denture patients experience tooth loss in many different ways. Some of my patients have lost teeth due to accidents or traumas. Other patients are prone to accelerated tooth decay. The common culprits for tooth decay are poor oral hygiene, a diet with high sugar content, poor saliva due to a number of causes including certain medications, or any combination of these factors.

In Arlington and Mansfield, many patients come to me because they are feeling insecure about the way their teeth look, or because their dentures are slipping or because they are uncomfortable. I have specific, proven techniques to improve the fit and function of dentures.

If you are a denture wearer, you owe it to yourself to learn about the permanent benefits of dental implants. Dental implants are a wonderful alternative to dentures, stopping bone recession and allowing the patient to eat favorite foods, show emotion, and enjoy life to the fullest.

Once you’ve chosen to have dentures, you may be wondering will I need to have all of the teeth in my mouth removed to wear dentures?

Each patient has his or her unique circumstances, but there is a denture solution right for you; dentures can be made as a complete set, or to replace lower or upper teeth only.

The major factor to consider then is, which tooth material is right for my dentures?

The materials most commonly used for false teeth in dentures are either resin, a plastic, or porcelain, the traditional choice. Each denture material comes with its own advantages, while one material may work better for some patients than others.

As advances are made in wear-resistant resin technology for false teeth, dentures are becoming increasingly sophisticated. This type of plastic tooth is recommended for patients who are using dentures to replace only one set of teeth. This is because resin teeth in dentures are not as harmful to your natural teeth as porcelain teeth can be. Resin teeth have also been found to be less noisy than porcelain teeth when used in conversation, chewing, and parafunction (the movement of your teeth and jaw while sleeping), or habitual jaw movements including clicking, bruxism, or rocking of teeth.

On the other hand porcelain dentures are preferred by patients who have already worn and become used to porcelain dentures. Porcelain offers patients a high esthetic value, and because of the material’s durability, porcelain dentures tend to wear evenly and last longer. This means your dentures will require fewer adjustments as your bones recede.

After your fitting, you may be wondering what are some things I should expect from my dentures?

• At first, many patients find dentures to feel unnatural. Even perfectly fit dentures will require an adjustment period. This is common, and one reason why I recommend to my patients that they wear their dentures as often as possible. Simply by wearing your dentures around the house, running errands, or during leisurely activities with friends will help you grow accustomed to how they feel in your mouth. Yes, you will need to train the muscles in your mouth to use dentures for chewing and speaking, but over time, you will find your dentures feeling more and more natural.

 

• It is also important to note that a few patients can experience an allergic reaction to the acrylic used in dentures, this can cause swelling and discomfort. Normally, if the patient knows of a pre-existing acrylic allergy or an allergy is found during the fitting process, a different material can be used to create your dentures. If you are experiencing this discomfort, I can help and I invite you to call for an appointment.

A lot of my friends say this is common, but what should a I do about denture slippage?

I get asked this question a lot, but you should have no fear, experiencing slight denture slippage is normal when patients are first learning how to use their dentures because learning how to use your dentures takes practice.

Denture patients should keep in mind that, in time, denture slippage can occur due to the shrinkage of your jaw bones; this is a normal process know as resorption.

At our dental practice we have new techniques for improving denture fit; these techniques include relining, rebasing, or replacing your dentures based on your specific needs at the time. We can even stabilize your existing dentures with two dental implants. If you are experiencing problems with your dentures, you owe it to yourself to see if this procedure is correct for you. Please give us a call if you are experiencing your dentures slipping of if you have any other questions.

If you live in the Arlington or Mansfield area, and are wondering: 1) if dentures are right for you 2) if your existing dentures could be improved, or 3) if dental implants are right for you, I invite you to schedule an appointment at my office for a consultation. I will listen to your concerns, answer additional questions you or your loved ones have, and we will discuss the right solution based on your needs.

Yours truly,

Marty Cloin, DDS, R.Ph
3703 W Green Oaks Blvd
Arlington, TX 76016
817-380-3593