Dentures & Partials
Here at Hometown Dental, we offer affordable dentures while using the very best material on the market.
Dentures are removable pieces of hardware used to replace some or all of your natural teeth.
If all of your teeth are missing or need to be removed, you will be given a full set of dentures. If some natural teeth remain, partial dentures are used.
Adjusting to Dentures
When you are first fitted for dentures, you may have to wear them all the time, including while sleeping.
This will allow the dentist to quickly find spots that need to be reshaped due to discomfort or irritation. After the dentures are properly fitted to your jaw, they can be removed at night.
Take good care of your gums. They need regular cleaning, rest, and massaging. A daily warm salt water rinse will help keep your gums clean, and a balanced diet is important for oral health as well.
Denture Care
Taking good care of your dentures is essential for getting the most out of them. It’s also important for your oral health.
- When handling your dentures, it’s a good idea to have a full sink of water or a folded towel ready in case they slip out of your hands.
- Dentures should be brushed daily to remove food and plaque, but don’t use toothpaste on them. Use a brush designed for cleaning dentures.
- Rinse dentures after every meal.
- Use a denture cleaner to clean your dentures. Hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid also works, but toothpastes and household cleaners are too abrasive. Bleach will whiten the pink part of the denture-avoid it.
- If you use ultrasonic cleaners, make sure to still brush the denture.
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- When not wearing dentures, they should be kept moist so they don’t dry out or lose their shape. Store them in cool water or a denture-soaking solution. We can advise on the best solution for your dentures.
Types of Dentures
Generally speaking, dentures come in two standard types:
Conventional dentures
Conventional dentures are not fitted until after the gums and jaw have fully healed from the extraction of your teeth.This can take up to eight to twelve weeks, and during this period, you will not have any teeth. Partial dentures can be used when only some of your teeth need to be removed. Partials function similarly to a bridge but are removable.
Immediate dentures
Immediate dentures are fitted before your teeth are extracted and can be worn almost immediately. Immediate dentures will require several more fittings than traditional dentures, as the shape of your jaw and gums will change during the healing process, but they have the advantage of immediately restoring your teeth after the extraction.
Denture Repairs and Adjustments
You may need one or more follow-up appointments for adjustments after getting your dentures. Do not attempt to make adjustments or repairs on your own. Bending any part of the clasp or metal attachments will weaken them, and DIY denture repair kits can permanently damage dentures. Leave it to the professionals.
It’s important for dentures to fit properly. When they don’t, they can cause irritation and sores on the cheeks and gums. Get in touch with us if your dentures break, chip, crack, or one of the teeth becomes loose.
Replacing Old Dentures
Due to normal wear and tear and the changes our faces, jaws, and gums go through over time, dentures will eventually need to be rebased, relined, or even completely remade. If they are cared for properly, complete dentures should last up to seven years before you need replacements.
Caring for Your Mouth and Gums With Dentures
Even without teeth, we still need to brush twice a day. Use a soft-bristled brush to clean your gums, tongue, and palate before the dentures go in and after they come out. Doing so removes plaque and stimulates blood circulation. The teeth that fit under the denture’s metal clasps should receive special attention. Plaque can get trapped under the clasps and put those teeth in danger of tooth decay. Partial dentures should be removed before you brush your natural teeth.
Get directions
1113 Indianapolis Road
Greencastle, IN 46135
Meet THE DENTISTS
DR. DENNIS KNUTH
PARTNER
I am proud to serve patients in our community. Through continuing education and state-of-the-art equipment, we are able to offer you and your family the high level of care you’re looking for. My team at Hometown Dental and I will give you a warm welcome and our ongoing commitment to your dental health.
I am very passionate about dentistry. I strive to do for you what I would do for any of my friends or family; always giving you the care you deserve.
I feel fortunate to have graduated from the Ohio State University College of Dentistry, where I received an outstanding dental education from some of the best mentors in the nation. Prior to dental school, I earned a degree in electrical engineering and worked for 6 years in the electronics industry in Cincinnati.
DR. TESS FUNKE
PARTNER
Dr. Funke is excited to have joined the Greencastle Hometown Dental team. She moved back to her home state, Indiana, from Arkansas after completing a one-year advanced training program.
Dr. Funke attended the University of Louisville for dental school, where she was involved in student leadership and served on a mission trip in Jamaica to provide dental care. Dr. Funke is a proud Boilermaker alumnus!
When Dr. Funke isn’t with patients, you might find her with her partner in crime, Adam, or other members of her large family. (Her mom has seven siblings, and her dad has five!) She loves curling up with a good book (shout out to any other Harry Potter fans), staying healthy through fitness, and exploring new cities.
