Instructions for
Partial Dentures
ADJUSTMENT PERIOD AND SORE SPOTS
New partial dentures require an adjustment period. It will take some time to get used to speaking and chewing with your new partial denture. It also takes partial dentures several days to “settle in” to the tissue of the mouth.
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It is expected to have some sore spots as your new partial dentures settle into place. We will likely schedule some adjustment appointments after you receive your partial dentures. If sore spots or other concerns arise after these adjustments, please call the office and we can schedule another appointment. These appointments are free of charge for the first six months following the delivery of your partial dentures.
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EATING
Start slowly with eating - it helps to start with a soft diet, cut up food into small pieces, and chew with food on both sides using your back teeth. This helps to balance the partial denture. Chewing with partial dentures is less effective than chewing with natural teeth and it takes some time to adjust. Upper partial dentures also cover some of the taste buds on the roof of your mouth, so you may notice a difference in the taste of food.
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INSERTION AND REMOVAL
Partial dentures fit like a puzzle piece – they only have one proper path of insertion. Make sure your partial is aligned correctly into place, then apply pressure on both sides to snap it into place. Never force it down or bite it into place because this can distort it. When removing your partial, grab onto the pink acrylic, not onto the metal clasps. The clasps are delicate and repeated forces on them can cause them to distort or break.
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HOME CARE AND CLEANING
After eating and when you remove your partial denture at night, brush your partial denture using warm or cool water and a denture brush with mild soap (unscented dish soap). Do not brush it with toothpaste – this can cause abrasion of the material. Partial dentures can be broken if they are dropped – when brushing your partial denture place a washcloth in the basin of the sink or fill it with some water to minimize the chance of breakage.
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It is very important to take your partial denture out every night to allow the tissue to rest. If it is worn 24 hours a day, infections and inflammation of the tissue underneath can occur. After you take your partial out and brush it, either soak it using a denture cleaning tablet like Polident or soak it in plain water. Never let your partial denture dry out – this can make the material brittle.
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DENTAL APPOINTMENTS
Regular dental appointments are important to maintain your remaining teeth and to care for your partial dentures. The frequency of these appointments will be recommended by your dentist and hygienist based on your specific needs, at a frequency of at least twice a year. At these appointments we will clean your partial denture to remove any tartar and staining.
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Please do not hesitate to call with any questions or concerns! Our goal is to get the best result possible for you and your new partial dentures.
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If you have any questions or concerns, please call the office at 651-452-2116.
