Q. What is a Clinical Dental Technician?
A clinical Dental Technician is a Dental Healthcare Professional, registered with the Dental Council, who provide complete and partial dentures directly to patients when the patients oral health is established through recent visit(s) to the dentist.
Q. What is a Dental Technician?
There is another grade of Dental Healthcare professional called a Dental Technician who can manufacture dental prostheses, but cannot deal directly with patients i.e.the public. S/he works to a prescription received from a dentist.
Q. Do I need to be referred by my dentist or can I come to you direct?
Many dentists refer patients to our clinic for their New Dentures, Tooth Additions, Repairs and other services. The dentist will carry out an oral check-up and complete any dental work required e.g. fillings/extractions and once the mouth is nice and healthy and no further treatment is needed, the patient is referred direct for their new Denture. We are specialists in this field so we can provide the patient with high quality functional devices from initial consultation to final fitting. You can also come direct to our clinic or phone us without a referral for a consultation and we will look after you from here. If you do not have a dentist and require dental treatment prior to denture manufacture, we will refer you to a dentist. Once treatment is complete, we will then commence your treatment for your new denture. We are here to take care of you from your very first visit, trust us you are in good hands…
Q. Who are dentures for?
If you are missing teeth you should wear a denture. Complete dentures for those people who are edentulous (i.e.. Have no natural teeth remaining), or a partial denture for those who have some natural teeth remaining. A partial denture is important to prevent the remaining natural teeth from shifting, which will occur if the spaces are not filled in. Dentures improve chewing and speech, as well as provide facial support which will dramatically improve your appearance and keep you smiling with confidence.
Q. What is the process involved in getting new dentures?
Here at McNally Denture Clinic in Carlow, a standard Denture takes a few weeks and normally 4-5 appointments. These include:
- Primary Impressions – a mould is taken of your gums and/or teeth
- Bite Registration – we measure how you bite and select new teeth with you
- Wax Try-In – you get to see your new denture and try them before they are finished. It is at this stage that our Clinical Dental Technician can make any changes prior to final fitting of your denture.
- Finish – You will be fitted with your new denture and be provided with denture care information before you leave the clinic.
It is important to note with higher end private dentures such as precision or B.P.S there are additional appointments required. The treatment process will be explained to you as part of your consultation.
Q. I have new dentures, what is the best way to get used to them?
When you receive your new dentures at McNally denture clinic, we provide you with an information letter outlining what to expect and how to care for your new denture. Even the best fitting dentures will feel awkward at first. To get accustomed to chewing with a new denture, start with soft, easy-to-chew foods. They may cause an increase in the production of saliva and alter speech on a short term basis. It is advised you chop up food into smaller pieces and avoid hard foods until the tissue where the denture is seated, accepts the new denture. In time, you will become accustomed to your new dentures. In the event you get a sore spot do not panic, just contact the clinic and our Clinical Dental Technician will make the necessary adjustment. It is very normal to experience a little soreness and that’s why we are here to look after you, before and after treatment.
Q. My dentures are feeling very loose, what are my options?
As you get older, the tissue and bone start to shrink slightly. This causes your denture to become loose and difficult to eat with. Your denture can be relined to help achieve a better fit. If a reline is not an option, perhaps the denture base is too far gone, you may require a new denture. Our CDT will determine the best course of action on examination of your denture. If your denture is more than a year or two old and you find yourself using fixodent everyday, you could benefit from a reline. A denture reline at McNally Denture Clinic is done the same day. An early morning appointment is made and your relined denture is fitted at the end of the same working day.
Q. Is it advisable to use a denture adhesive?
Denture adhesive can provide additional retention even for well-fitting dentures, especially for lower dentures. However, denture adhesives are not the solution for old, ill-fitting dentures. A poorly fitting denture, which causes constant irritation over a long period, may contribute to the development of bone loss and sores. These dentures may need a reline or need to be replaced. If your dentures begin to feel loose, or cause pronounced discomfort, consult with our Clinical dental technician immediately here at McNally Denture Clinic, Carlow.
Q. How do I clean my dentures?
Denture care will be explained to you at your last visit by our clinical dental technician. Dentures should be cleaned, if possible, after each meal. The best way is to remove them and rinse them. If one is able to, brushing the dentures is advised, as well as rinsing the mouth to clean it of any debris. If some natural teeth do remain, brushing them is always suggested. Soak your dentures at night after brushing them, if you wish you can use a denture cleaner like Sterident but only for 15 mins. Do not allow them to dry out because they may warp. It is also much healthier to keep your dentures out overnight to avoid excessive pressure on the soft tissue and bone. Always remember to brush your tongue and lightly brush the gums with a soft toothbrush. Special denture brushes should be used on the dentures. You should not use regular toothpaste on dentures, it is too abrasive. We stock a wide range of products at the clinic and are always available to help you if you have any concerns.
Q. Is it o.k to wear my denture at night?
It is advisable to remove your denture at night. Removing the denture for at least eight hours either day or night allows the gum tissue to rest and promotes normal stimulation and cleansing by the tongue and saliva. This promotes better long-term health of your gums.
Q. Do I still need to have a check up now that I have no natural teeth?
It is important to continue to have annual check ups so that your Clinical Dental Technican can examine your oral tissues and your dentures. As you age, your mouth will contiue to change as the bone under your denture shrinks. To maintain a proper fit over time, it is necessary to adjust, reline or remake your denture. Never attempt to adjust or repair your denture yourself and do not use adhesives over a long period of time. When in doubt, please consult your clinical dental technician here at McNally Denture Clinic, Carlow.
Consider seeing your Dentist once a year for an annual checkup.
Q. My dentist is referring me for an immediate denture. What is this?
Immediate dentures are inserted immediately after the removal of the remaining teeth. To make this possible, the Clinical dental technician takes measurements and makes the models of the patient’s jaws during a preliminary visit.
One of the main advantages of immediate dentures is that the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums can shrink over time, especially during the period of healing in the first six to nine months after the removal of teeth. When gums shrink, immediate dentures will require relining to fit properly.
One of the main disadvantages of immediate dentures is that you cannot have a try-in… this makes it very difficult to predict how the denture is going to fit and how its going to look once your teeth are extracted and the denture is in place. With only one or two teeth being removed its not too bad but if you are getting many teeth removed this can be a real problem and perhaps a temporary denture can be fabricated for the short term instead, this would in turn eliminate the reline and you would have a new properly fit denture.
Q. Will I be able to eat with my new dentures?
Eating will take a little practice. Start with soft foods cut into small pieces. Chew slowly using both sides of your mouth at the same time to prevent the dentures from tipping. As you become accustomed to chewing, add other foods until you return to your normal diet.Continue to chew food using both sides of the mouth at the same time. Be cautious with hot or hard foods and sharp-edged bones or shells. Your upper denture covers your palate so be careful with hot foods and liquids.
Q. Will I speak different with my new dentures?
Pronouncing certain words may require practice. Reading out loud and repeating troublesome words will help. If your dentures “click” while you’re talking, speak more slowly.
You may find that your dentures occasionally slip when you laugh, cough or smile. Reposition the dentures by gently biting down and swallowing. If a speaking problem persists, consult your Clinical dental technician.
Q. My denture fell and has broken, can I repair it myself with super glue?
You can seriously damage your dentures and harm your health by trying to adjust or repair your dentures. A denture that is not made to fit properly can cause irritation and sores.
See your Clinical dental technician if your dentures break, crack, chip, or if one of the teeth becomes loose. We can make the necessary adjustments or repairs on the same day. A person who lacks the proper training will not be able to reconstruct the denture. This can cause greater damage to the denture and may cause problems in your mouth. Glue sold over-the-counter often contains harmful chemicals and should not be used on dentures.
Q. When do I need to replace my dentures?
Over time, dentures will need to be relined, rebased, or remade due to normal wear, the average lifespan of a denture is about 5 years. It depends on what you eat and your bone structure as they can last longer and they can also wear out faster. If your denture is loose you can get a reline, which involves a new impression under your existing denture, and then the tissue side of your denture is replaced but the teeth are not. This is generally done within 24 hours.
Dentures may need to be replaced if they become loose and the teeth show signs of significant wear. Dentures become loose because a mouth naturally changes with age. Bone and gum ridges can recede or shrink, causing jaws to align differently. Shrinking ridges can cause dentures to fit less securely. Loose dentures can cause health problems, including sores and infections. A loose denture also makes chewing more difficult and may change your facial features. It’s important to replace worn or poorly-fitting dentures before they cause problems.
Q. Are implants an option for me?
You will have to be screened for suitability if you wish to proceed with Implant Retained Dentures. Implant retained dentures are more stable than most types of dentures. Implants are a proven restorative option with an excellent success rate.
Many patients who have chose implant supported teeth report that they are happy and comfortable for the first time since the loss of their natural teeth.
You still care for your dentures in basically the same way taking them out to clean them and at night, the dentures clip in on the implants to hold them down. The lower denture is more stable and leads to a lot less sores and food getting under it.
At McNally Denture Clinic, our highly skilled Clinical Dental Technician specialises in the treatment of patients who require Implant retained dentures and patients treated to date have achieved excellent results both functionally and aesthetically.