First, an impression of your jaw is made using special materials. In addition, measurements are made to show how your jaws relate to one another and how much space is between them. This is referred to as the bite relationship. If possible, the color or shade of your natural teeth is also determined. The impression, bite, and shade are given to our dental laboratory so dentures can be custom-made for your mouth.

At Olympic Dental and Denture, our in-house laboratory makes a mold or model of your jaw, places the teeth in a wax base, and carves the wax to the exact form wanted in the finished denture. Usually, a wax try-in of the denture will be done in our office so any adjustments can be made before the denture is completed.

The denture is completed in our dental laboratory using the lost wax technique. A mold of the wax-up denture is made, then the wax is removed and the remaining space is filled with pink plastic in dough form. The mold is then heated to harden the plastic. The denture is then polished and ready for wear.

For the first few weeks, a new denture may feel awkward or bulky. However, your mouth will eventually become accustomed to wearing them. Inserting and removing the dentures will likely require some practice. Your denture should fit into place with relative ease. You never want to force dentures into position by biting down. This could cause bending or breakage.

Although there may be some temporary discomfort at first, wearing your dentures will help identify those denture parts that may need adjustment. If the denture puts too much pressure on a particular area, that spot will become sore. Your denture can then be adjusted to fit more comfortably.

Once you have your new dentures, start out by eating soft foods that are cut into small pieces. Chew on both sides of the mouth to evenly distribute pressure and wear on the dentures. Avoid sticky or hard foods, chewing gum, or other foods that might overstress your dentures.

Daily brushing of your dentures (preferably with a denture brush) should be done to remove food deposits and plaque. This also helps to keep dentures from becoming permanently stained. You should not use brushes with hard bristles, as they can damage the dentures. Use denture cleaners that have the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance.

Hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid to clean dentures is also acceptable. Other types of household cleaners or toothpaste are usually too abrasive for dentures and should not be used.

Dentures should be kept moist. At night, place the dentures in a soaking solution or water. If your dentures have metal attachments, consult with your denturist, either John or Youni, to determine the best soaking solution.

After cleaning your dentures, you still need to take good care of your mouth. Every morning and evening you should brush your gums, tongue, and palate with a soft-bristled brush. This removes plaque and helps to stimulate circulation in your mouth.

Once you get your new dentures, start with soft foods cut into small pieces. Chew slowly and gently using both sides of your mouth at the same time. As you become accustomed to using your dentures, add other foods until you return to your normal diet.

Be cautious with hot foods and sharp-edged bones or shells.

It is not uncommon to experience some difficulty pronouncing certain words when you first start wearing dentures. But with some practice, you will get accustomed to having them in your mouth. If your dentures occasionally slip when you laugh, cough or smile try repositioning them by gently biting down and swallowing. If speaking or other problems persists, consult John or Youni.

Dentures may need adjusting over time. As you age, your mouth naturally changes. This can affect the fit of the dentures. Your bone and gum ridges may recede or shrink, resulting in a loosening of the dentures fit. Loose dentures can lead to the development of sores or infections.

Dentures that do not fit properly can be adjusted by either of our denturists, John or Youni. Avoid using a do-it-yourself kit to adjust your dentures. This can damage them beyond repair. You should also avoid using glues not recommended by us, as they often contain chemicals harmful to dentures.

If your dentures begin to fit improperly, if there are cracks, breaks, or chips, or if any of the teeth become loose, call us immediately. In many cases, we can make necessary adjustments or repairs, often on the same day, because we have our own in-house dental lab. Complicated repairs may require a little extra time.

Over time, dentures will need to be relined or re-made due to normal wear. Eventually, dentures will need to be replaced when showing signs of significant wear.