Scott Greenhalgh DDS - Cosmetic Dentistry

Monday, March 8, 2010

Dentures, bleeding and muscle weakness

I don't speak a lot about dentures. The reality is that there are a lot of them out there, and that many do not fit well. Many don't look very good either, since I see a lot of patients want to finally have the perfect white straight teeth that they never had naturally. Except...now it just looks UN-natural.

As a cosmetic Dentist in Denver, I have found that there is even an art to making dentures have great smiles. Natural, harmonious, one that just goes with that person's face. I find it usually means bringing in some element from their smile from early in their youth.

I received a notice from a manufacturer of denture adhesive saying that they had stopped the manufacture and distribution of it because of "myeloneuropathy and blood dyscrasias". I don't think either of us wants that. Here's what seems to have happened: there is some zinc in this adhesive, people swallow some of it, over years it causes a copper deficiency, then weak limb and difficulty walking.

Here's why the problem developed: the manufacturer says use a little bit, and only once per day. I suspect that many people use MORE of it and MANY times per day.

The best denture adhesive is a dental implant. Even better, get rid of a standard denture by using "all on four", which means real teeth that don't come out, connected to four dental implants.

The next best denture adhesive is a great fit. Tricky for some people, virtually impossible as decades of tooth loss add up, since the jaws continue to get thinner and thinner as the years go by.

ALL dentures need some regular care and maintenance. ALL dentures need to be relined every three to five years. In that time the jaw shape changes significantly but the shape of the denture does not. Refitting it by relining, is a way to keep a good fit.

Dentures cure unrepairable dental problems or uncontrollable periodontal disease. They are a replacement for NO teeth, but they are not real teeth. In much the same way as a prosthetic leg is not a real leg, but allows someone to be mobile, walk and maybe run. Still not without pain, discomfort and frustration, but still much better than not have a prosthesis.

Dental implants provide a way to overcome this. If you are frustrated with the limitations of your denture or the unnatural look of your denture then contact Denver cosmetic dentist, Dr. Scot Greenhalgh, DDS today!

Labels: all on four, best Denver dentist, cosmetic dentist Denver, dental implants, denture, Denver cosmetic dentist, gum disease, periodontal disease