St Louis Dentures

Joseph F Shea DDS MS

3555 Sunset Office Drive Suite 200 = St Louis MO = 63127 = (314) 822-9446

Questions and answers about St Louis dentures

"Dr. Shea, what do dentures feel like?"

For a few weeks, new dentures will feel awkward until you become accustomed to them. They might feel loose until the cheek and tongue muscles learn to hold them in position. It is not unusual to feel minor irritation or soreness. The patient needs to see us for regular fit adjustments to relieve any sore areas.

"Do St Louis dentures need to be replaced?"

At St Louis Prosthodontic Care we find that St Louis dentures will need to be relined, remade, or rebased due to normal wear over a period of time and normal shrinkage of your gums and bones.

"Are you able to eat with St Louis dentures, Dr. Shea?"

Eating with St Louis dentures will take a little practice. You should start with soft foods that are cut into small pieces. As you become used to chewing, you can return to your normal diet.

"Dr. Shea, are there foods you should avoid if you wear dentures?"

There are only a few eating restrictions for dentures wearers. Avoid biting down directly on crunchy or hard foods, like whole apples, hard pretzels, crusty bread, or large sandwiches. They can break because of the angle where the dentures comes into contact with the hard surface.

Biting is limited only by the stability of the dentures themselves. Insufficient bone structure (shrunken bone ridges covered by gum tissue), old or worn dentures, and a dry mouth decrease stability. Call us at St Louis Prosthodontic Care to evaluate your personal situation.

"If you wear St Louis dentures, are dental adhesives necessary?"

Today's dentures have been significantly improved through advances in both dental and materials technologies. As a result, St Louis dentures that fit properly usually do not require adhesives to secure the dentures. When you are just getting used to dentures, adhesives may be advised, but otherwise should not be necessary.

At St Louis Prosthodontic Care we feel a loose dentures is a sign that it doesn't fit your mouth correctly. When first getting used to St Louis dentures, you may notice them slipping when you laugh, smile, or cough, which is caused by air getting under the base and moving it. The more you wear St Louis dentures, the better you will be able to control their movements in these situations.

If your mouth has insufficient bone structure, St Louis dentures will be more difficult to retain. St Louis dental implants may be advisable. These are placed in the bone and retain the dentures with small, precision attachments.

For more information about how we at St Louis Prosthodontic Care can help you with dentures, call us at (314) 822-9446, we will be happy to talk with you.