Ask Our Cosmetic Dentist about Our Cosmetic Dentures

Do you wear dentures? Lots of people do as they are a very practical way of replacing missing teeth. Dentures can be partial, meaning they only replace a few missing teeth, or they can be full which means they replace a complete arch of teeth, either in the upper or lower jaw or even both. Dentures can be made out of either acrylic, or they can include a cobalt chrome base that is designed to strengthen the denture, and which allows the portion covering the palate or inside of the mouth to be constructed in a way that is much thinner than if it were made from acrylic. This can be something that appeals to certain people who may find traditional dentures quite tricky to wear.

Dentist LeedsDr David Brown and all the dentists in our Leeds surgery are able to offer cosmetic dentures which are made from a superior type of acrylic and which possibly include a cobalt chrome base, depending on your needs. These types of dentures are superior to traditional dentures as they offer a better fit and are stronger than conventionally made dentures.

Your Cosmetic Dentures Are Precision Made

We will need to see you quite a few times in order to make your new dentures, as it’s necessary to take detailed impressions of your mouth that include specific measurements such as the height or distance in between your upper and lower jaw, and measurements for the midline of your denture which indicates where your two front teeth should be located. These types of measurements are extremely important in ensuring your finished denture looks natural and is comfortable to wear.

This is the reason that our dental laboratory will first construct your denture in wax, with the same teeth that will be used in your finished appliance. The acrylic portion of the denture is the first formed in pink wax so it is easy to see how the finished denture will look. This wax try in is extremely informative and helps our dentists check that all the teeth are properly located, and that your finished denture will have full function. It also helps you to see whether or not you’ll be happy with the finished results as any alterations are easy to make to the wax try in.

Once you are happy then the wax denture is sent away to be remade in pink acrylic. After this it will be returned to us for your one of your final fittings, and it’s not unusual to have to make quite a few adjustments after this appointment and at subsequent appointments shortly afterwards. You do need to wear your new denture for a week or so to see how it fits and how it feels, after which you can return to see one of our dentist in Leeds for minor adjustments. With a little patience we can help you get an excellent fit, and all these appointments are included in the cost of your new denture.

Many people find conventional dentures perfectly comfortable to wear, but some will really struggle. If you find you really can’t get on with your dentures then come back to us to talk about having some dental implants. Just a few implants can be inserted into your jaw to stabilise a full denture, locking it firmly into position. If you’d rather do away with the denture completely then it may be possible to insert sufficient implants to hold a fixed bridge which unlike a denture can only be removed by your dentist in Leeds.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Imagine Beautiful Crowns and Veneers in Just One Easy Visit

Leeds City Dentalcare, a cosmetic dentist in Leeds, does provide patients with beautiful custom-made crowns and veneers that are fabricated by experienced technicians in a dental laboratory. These are absolutely perfect for anyone looking for a comprehensive smile makeover, but one of the problems is that completion can take several weeks, depending on the size and complexity of the case and the materials used. In the meantime patients are left with temporary restorations that while perfectly functional are obviously not ideal. In addition some people simply don’t have the time to book several visits to our Leeds surgery so that work can be completed. One solution is to have CEREC restorations. This advanced technology can save a great deal of time and can provide some patients with high-quality crowns and veneers that can be permanently bonded in position in just one single visit.

Dentist LeedsNo Need for Dental Impressions
Another advantage of using this system is that there is no need to have impressions taken, as we know this is something that some of our patients find it quite difficult to cope with, especially people who have a particularly strong gag reflex. Instead CEREC uses a small high-tech camera that scans the prepared tooth before transmitting the information to the computer. This allows Dr David Brown, our dentist in Leeds, to design the crowns or veneers, and it also means you get a chance to see how your newly finished restoration will look even before fabrication begins. We can even work on several restorations at the same time, meaning you will just need to be numbed the once for the teeth to be prepared and the final restorations to be made.

CEREC Doesn’t Compromise on Quality
CEREC uses high-quality compressed blocks of porcelain, and we always keep a large stock of different shades and translucencies in our dental surgery so we can select the shade that most closely matches your natural teeth. It’s quite an exciting prospect to think you can have your teeth made in just one visit to our Leeds surgery, and it’s ideal if you have a dental emergency and require a new crown in a hurry. These types of restorations don’t compromise on quality and are highly suitable for most cases. Their CAD/CAM design means each restoration is precision made to fit exactly in your mouth. CEREC can also be used to fabricate inlays and onlays in cases where conventional composite resin filling material is simply not strong enough to replace larger areas of decay. However there are occasions when it might be better to have a more traditional restoration, even if it takes a little longer to complete.

Using CEREC for Smile Makeovers
Next time you visit Leeds City Dentalcare then why not ask us if CEREC would be suitable for you? If you are interested in cosmetic dentistry then it could be that CEREC is suitable for producing some of your dental restorations, such as veneers. Veneers can be used as part of a smile makeover to repair worn down teeth, or to mask teeth that have become discoloured. Even a relatively minor treatment such as having older style amalgam fillings replaced with CEREC inlays can make a terrific difference to your smile.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Need a New Tooth in a Hurry? Leeds City Dentalcare Provides CEREC Crowns

It can be difficult to find time to visit the dentist, but failing to keep up with regular check-ups can increase the risk of dental emergencies, such as that sickening crunch when you bite into something hard or particularly chewy. You can guarantee that this will happen just before you are due to go on holiday, or right before a long awaited event. You experience that sinking feeling as you realise you will be stuck with a temporary crown or filling while your real crown is being made for you, something that can take two weeks or even longer to complete. But we may be able to help, as Leeds City Dentalcare has its very own CEREC machine right on the premises.

Dentist LeedsThis amazing piece of technology can create beautiful precision fitting crowns, inlays and onlays in just one easy visit to our Leeds surgery. We could be able to mend your tooth, and will have you on your way before you know it. So what is CEREC? A CEREC restoration is milled from a single block of porcelain that has been closely matched to your natural tooth shade. These blocks come in a huge variety of shades, and some are even more translucent than others (if you look at your teeth and compare them to another person’s you will see that the tips of the teeth can often appear to be more translucent, or transparent in some people compared to others).

The process is very straightforward. Dr David Brown will prepare your tooth in exactly the same way as he would for a normal crown or other restoration. From then on things are a little different. You would normally have to have an impression taken of your prepared tooth, and the impression would then be sent off to the dental laboratory. With a CEREC crown your dentist in Leeds will scan your tooth using a miniature infra-red camera, so there is no need to endure the feel of an impression tray in your mouth.  The information collected by the camera is used to create a 3-D image of your restoration, and once your dentist is happy with the design it is transmitted to the milling machine. This machine is very quick and accurate, so your new crown will be made within a very short period. The final step is to finish and characterise the crown so it looks exactly like your natural tooth.

We find our patients really love these restorations, as there is no need for temporaries, and no need for a second appointment. We like them because they are very good for teeth, as the minimum amount of tooth material needs to be removed in preparation for a CEREC crown. The material also behaves in a way that is quite similar to natural teeth, but is extremely strong and hardwearing.

Do we recommend CEREC crowns over conventional crowns? Not always, as sometimes there are certain situations when your crown is best made by a human rather than a machine; our technicians have years of experience in creating beautiful custom crowns that can give you a smile as individual as your personality. However they are excellent when you really need a gorgeous new tooth in a hurry.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Why is it Important to Mend that Chipped Tooth?

Do you have a chipped or cracked tooth that you have somehow just got used to seeing in the mirror? Many people have, and think that as long as it isn’t causing any pain, then there is no need to take action, as after all it is only a cosmetic thing, isn’t it? Partly, but not mending that tooth could mean it becomes more damaged over time, and eventually it could require more extensive treatment at Leeds City Dentalcare.

Dentist LeedsAnything that damages or removes some of the outer layer of enamel will leave your tooth more vulnerable, as bacteria in your mouth will be able to eat away at the softer layer of dentine, causing decay. If the decay is not treated then these bacteria could reach the pulp of your tooth, which is right in the centre, infecting and killing it. If this happens then you’ll need to see Dr David Brown for root canal treatment. Your tooth doesn’t actually need the pulp to survive, as it can function perfectly well without it, but you’ll still require treatment that could easily have been avoided.

Mending Chipped Teeth
The easiest way to mend a chipped to tooth is to bond it. This is where the missing portion of the tooth is built up with composite resin, and is shaped and polished to look just like your natural teeth. This is quick and simple to do, and will require just one visit to Leeds City Dentalcare. Composite does stain after a few years, so you will probably need to have any bonded areas renewed every three years or so.

Another way is to have a dental veneer. This is a little more complex, and will require more than one visit to our Leeds surgery. One of our dentists will need to shape your tooth so a very thin piece of porcelain can be constructed to fit over the remaining tooth. This is custom made for you, so it does take a couple of weeks or so to make. Once it is ready, you will be able to return to our Leeds surgery for fitting, and once our dentist in Leeds is happy with the finish, they will permanently cement it in place. Veneers usually last up to ten years before they need replacing, but this does largely depend on how well-cared for they are!

If you have larger areas of tooth missing then you may need to have it crowned. A crown fits over the entire tooth, so none of the natural tooth will be visible. Your dental crown can be made from a metal alloy that is then covered over with porcelain, or if your tooth is right in the front you may want to have an all ceramic crown which doesn’t contain any metal and this is good for anyone who wants the very best cosmetic results.

Whichever method you choose, you can be sure the end result will be a tooth that is restored to full function, and which can look exactly like your remaining teeth. If you are in a rush to get your chipped tooth fixed, then ask us about CEREC. This is a high-tech restoration that we can make on our premises, and which is milled from a single block of porcelain. The huge advantage of this treatment is that it can be completed in just one visit.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Why is it Necessary to have Dental X-Rays?

Have you recently had a set of dental x-rays at Leeds City Dental care? If so you may have wondered why they are necessary and what exactly they show Dr David Brown or whoever your dentist is at our Leeds surgery. In fact dental x-rays are an extremely useful tool for diagnosing problems that cannot be seen by the naked eye, and the most common type of x-ray that you’re likely to have is called an intraoral x-ray. These are taken from inside your mouth and show your teeth in a lot of detail. They enable our dentist in Leeds to check your teeth for cavities, to see your tooth root in greater detail, and to assess the bone quality surrounding your tooth. Intraoral x-rays are also used to check how teeth are developing, and to generally monitor the health of your teeth and your jawbone.

Different Types of Intraoral X-Rays

Dentist LeedsIf you’re a regular patient then you’re probably already used to having bite wing x-rays which are typically taken every couple of years or so depending on your oral health. These show the upper and lower teeth in one particular area of your mouth in great detail. Our dentists can see the tooth right from its crown down to the supporting bone. This type of x-ray is particularly useful in showing any signs of decay in between the contact areas of the teeth, and will alert us to any changes in your bone density which may be caused by gum disease. They also show us how well any dental crowns or other restorations are fitting, and they let us look at the margins of feelings in greater detail so we can check they are not leaking.

Periapical x-rays are slightly different and show an entire tooth in detail. This means we’ll be able to see the crown of the tooth right down to the roots of the tooth. This allows us to detect any abnormalities in the root of the tooth and in the surrounding bone.

Other types of dental x-rays

There lots of other types of dental x-rays that you may encounter at various times. Panoramic x-rays are quite common and show your entire mouth, including all the teeth in your upper and lower jaw. This x-ray is very useful for helping us to identify any impacted teeth, and they also show the position of emerging and fully emerged teeth. CT scans are commonly used to plan dental implant surgery. This provides our dentists with a three-dimensional image of your teeth and all the surrounding structures. Their purpose is to make sure your dental implant in Leeds is placed in an area that isn’t too near to delicate structures such as the nerves or sinus cavities.

Some people may be worried about the amount of radiation admitted by dental x-rays, but in fact it’s tiny. Modern dental x-ray equipment produces digital images that require far less radiation to produce, making them extremely safe. We are all exposed to background radiation, and these levels are far higher than anything you’ll experience from receiving dental x-rays. To put it into perspective, if you’re planning to take a flight later on this year, or have just got back from holiday, then you were probably exposed to more radiation on the flight than you will be from having a dental x-ray at Leeds City Dentalcare.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Using Porcelain Veneers and Crowns to Improve Your Smile

Porcelain crowns and veneers are a great way to enhance and perfect your smile. Ideally they should look so good that no one need to know you have any work done, just that your teeth have improved in some way. The modern restorative techniques used and get cosmetic dentistry in Leeds City Dentalcare can produce really good aesthetic results as today’s porcelains are able to mimic the natural tooth structure better than ever before. Dental crowns and veneers are two different techniques, and each is used for a particular situation.

Veneers

Dental veneers are very thin pieces of ceramic material that are fabricated to replace the tooth enamel. They are bonded onto the outer surface of the tooth and usually only replace the front or biting surface of the tooth. Veneers are not designed to cover the entire tooth. Most veneers are at least 0.5 mm thick, so it’s usually necessary for Dr David Brown or another of our dentists in Leeds to remove this amount of tooth material from your natural teeth. This is necessary as otherwise you’ll end up with a bulky looking veneer that won’t look natural.

Veneers can be used for a number of different situations and can cosmetically improve the appearance of teeth in a number of different ways. They can hide imperfections or stains that cannot be lifted by tooth whitening; they can change the colour of the tooth or even the contour or shape of the tooth. They are great for anyone whose teeth are slightly rotated or out of alignment and who doesn’t want to undergo orthodontic treatment to correct them. Alternatively they can be used after braces, and can add the finishing touch to a newly straightened smile.

Once they are bonded onto the tooth they provide a reasonably strong restoration, although they still need to be treated with the same sort of care you give to your natural teeth. Veneers generally last up to 10 years or even longer, provided of course that they are looked after properly. One thing to bear in mind about having your teeth veneered is that you cannot go back, and these teeth will always need veneering.

Crowns

Crowns are sometimes called caps and are designed to fit over the entire tooth. They replace much of the natural tooth structure right down to the gum level, fitting securely around the margin of the natural tooth so bacteria are unable to penetrate. Crowns are usually used to restore teeth that have large areas of decay that cannot be replaced by fillings or inlays, or teeth that have been damaged due to some sort of trauma.

Whereas the veneers are generally used for cosmetic purposes, crowns are far more restorative but can still create a cosmetic effect. The overall look of teeth can be improved with dental crowns, especially if the natural teeth were substantially worn down through tooth grinding or bruxism, or if they had suffered substantial amounts of enamel erosion.

When the tooth is crowned a considerable amount of tooth material needs to be removed to create sufficient room for the dental crown. The crown can be made to look substantially different from the natural tooth that is being restored. This can be great if crowns are being used to replace teeth that were previously rotated or which were a less-than-perfect shape or size.

Crowns and be used to cover up natural teeth, or they can be attached to dental implants whereas dental veneers can only be used to cover natural teeth. Leeds City Dentalcare can provide patients with all-ceramic crowns that don’t contain any metal, and which look wonderfully natural. Our dentist in Leeds can also place dental implants.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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What are CEREC Restorations, and How Could They Help Me?

We find quite a lot of our patients here in Leeds have heard about CEREC, but are still a little unsure as to exactly how the system works, and how it could benefit them. CEREC is a CAD/CAM restoration that is made while you wait, right here in our Leeds surgery. Imagine not having to wait a couple of weeks before receiving your crown or inlay, but instead being able to have your tooth prepared and restored in just one single visit to Leeds City Dentalcare.

Our Leeds surgery is proud to have been the first practice in the UK to install this equipment which is truly cutting edge technology. Dr David Brown or another of our dentists is able to prepare your tooth for the restoration before it is scanned using a very small infrared camera. This information is then sent to a computer so your restoration can be custom designed for you using software that enables dentist in Leeds to see a virtual visualisation of the finished restoration.

Once the restoration design has been perfected then it is sent directly to the milling machine which is situated in our practice. We will have selected a solid cube of porcelain in a shade that closely matches your natural tooth, and this solid cube is then milled into the exact shape. The huge advantage of using this kind of computerised technology is its sheer accuracy, as you’ll receive a restoration that truly gives a precision fit. Once the restoration has been milled then the next step is to finish it. This is done by shading or staining the restoration and glazing or polishing it to resemble your natural tooth. Once our dentist is happy with the final result then it will be bonded to your natural tooth, strengthening and restoring it.

Suitable for Crowns, Inlays and Onlays

CEREC restorations are suitable for crowns, inlays and onlays. They are especially good for inlays and onlays that are used to restore teeth that have suffered a significant amount of decay or damage, but which don’t require a full crown. The reason for this is that inlays and onlays require very precisemargins in order to completely seal out the bacteria, and precision-made CEREC restorations are perfect for this. This is something that is also important for crowns, but the margins on a crown tend to be more straightforward, and it is easier to get a good seal. CEREC restorations are also very strong, and once bonded into place will help strengthen the remaining tooth structure.

So if CEREC is so good how come Leeds City Dentalcare doesn’t use it for all dental restorations? The answer is simple, as although this system is excellent there are still times when it’s better to have a restoration hand crafted in our dental laboratory. Sometimes a human eye is better than a computer and can simply produce something that looks more aesthetically pleasing and which fits in a lot better with your existing teeth. This is especially true for teeth that are right in the front of your mouth; if you look closely you’ll see your front teeth contain many different shades, and that some parts are more translucent than others. These subtle nuances simply cannot be easily replicated with a machine made restoration. Machines can’t completely replace humans, at least for now.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Problems Created by Ill-Fitting Dentures

Ill-fitting dentures can cause a number of different problems, and are something we see quite frequently in patients visiting our Leeds surgery for the very first time. One of the most common complaints is that they make eating and speaking difficult, and that the dentures tilt or move when trying to speak or eat. This may be a design fault, or it could be that you have lost significant amounts of bone in your jaw, making denture retention more difficult.

Another common problem is that the dentures look false or artificial, or that the incorrect size of denture teeth has been used in relation to the size of the patient’s facial features. You’ll find that Dr David Brown or whoever you choose to see at our dentist in Leeds dental surgery, will take the time to listen to the type of denture you’d like so you get great results.

Dentures can be as individual as You Are

Some people prefer to have straight white teeth, while others prefer their dentures to the incorporate spaces and irregularities that may have been found in their natural teeth. Dentures in Leeds can be made to include characterisations that recreate your smile in the most natural way possible. Leeds City Dentalcare can provide patients with cosmetic dentures that use top quality denture teeth to give very natural results, and although they cost a little more than conventional dentures, they give excellent aesthetics. These dentures are carefully constructed to give you a natural smile, and are designed to restore the correct dimensions of your face. This is something that is very important, especially if you lost your teeth a while ago.

The reason for this is that your face is likely to have lost some of its height, as the bony ridge of your jaw will have reabsorbed slightly and will have become flatter. Restoring these dimensions will ensure all your facial structures, such as your lips and cheeks, are properly supported. Your dentures can be made entirely from acrylic, or they may have a cast, cobalt chrome base. The advantage is that this alloy is very light and strong, and can be cast up to be extremely thin. In contrast the acrylic base of a denture needs to be a little thicker in order to have sufficient strength. However it might not always be possible to make your denture from cobalt chrome, as this alloy is only suitable for certain situations. These are all things that Dr David Brown will discuss with you at your consultation for cosmetic dentures.

Fed up With Your Dentures moving around?

While a properly designed denture can work wonders on your appearance, it can be difficult to get sufficient retention if you have significant bone loss in your lower jaw. This is where dental implants can be extremely useful. You may need as few as four dental implants to secure a lower denture, making them relatively affordable for most people. Implant placement doesn’t take very long, and you may even be able to receive your implant retained dentures on the same day. It is usually the lower denture that creates the most problems with retention, as this tends to be the area where bone is more easily lost. If you’d like to learn more about cosmetic dentures or dental implants then it is worth contacting Leeds City Dentalcare to find out more.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Tooth Wear and its Causes

We do see quite a few patients here at our Leeds surgery with signs of wear on their teeth. It is something that can happen to people of any age, but it tends to be more prevalent in older patients. If tooth wear goes undetected and untreated then it can cause a problem, but it is something that tends to be preventable.

Tooth Abrasion

This is one of the most common problems seen here at Leeds City Dentalcare, and it is usually caused by people being too enthusiastic when brushing their teeth. It is a common misconception that you need to brush vigorously to get your teeth clean, when in fact it is more down to technique, and making sure you brush thoroughly but gently. There is no need to use a lot of force when brushing, and it is better to use a fairly soft toothbrush with rounded bristles that will not damage the teeth and gums.

It has become quite popular to use whitening toothpastes, as more people are interested in having a whiter smile, but some of these toothpastes can be very abrasive. If you do have signs of tooth wear then you may be better of avoiding these toothpastes and using fluoride toothpaste that can help to strengthen the tooth enamel instead.

Tooth Enamel Erosion

This is another thing we see quite frequently at Leeds City Dentalcare, and it can be down to diet. Eating a diet that is high in acids, for example eating lots of citrus fruits or sucking on lemons can help to erode the enamel. It is also something that can be down to drinking a lot of soft drinks, or from having a diet that is high in sugars or carbohydrates. The bacteria that are naturally present in the mouth use these foods as a source of energy, producing acids as a by-product that lowers the pH of the mouth, increasing the acidity. This high acidity softens the tooth enamel, and if it occurs frequently will lead to erosion.

Teeth Grinding and Tooth Abfraction

Teeth grinding or bruxism can cause extensive wear to the teeth, as the grinding action wears away the tooth enamel creating fractures and chips in the tooth. Tooth Abfraction is something that can happen as a result of bruxism, as the grinding action causes the tooth to flex. The enamel nearest to the gum line can begin to fracture. Eventually this causes notches to appear in the tooth. These notches may not require immediate treatment, but they are probably something that will need checking regularly.

If you do have any signs of tooth wear then it might be due to just one of the above, or it could be down to a combination of reasons. Dr David Brown, or another member of our dentist in Leeds will be able to let you know the exact cause of your tooth wear, and can offer advice on the best way to deal with it. If we think you are brushing your teeth to hard then we can give you lots of practical advice on brushing and flossing techniques to help get your teeth and gums clean without causing damage.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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Caring for Your Dentures

If you are new to wearing dentures, and have just received partial or full dentures from Leeds City Dentalcare, then you may be wondering about the best way to look after them. Proper denture care will help to prolong the life of your dentures and will help ensure your mouth remains clean and healthy. Tips for looking after them include:

  • Making sure you handle them gently, as if you accidentally drop them they could break. It is best to handle them over a soft surface such as a towel, or over a bowl of water.
  • Your dentures need cleaning thoroughly every day, and must be brushed to remove food and plaque. This will help keep them fresh and free from stains. You can buy special denture brushes that are particularly soft, and which won’t damage the surface of your denture. Normal toothbrushes and toothpaste are too harsh for use on dentures and could damage the acrylic, as could household cleaners. For an extra clean finish you may want to invest in an ultrasonic cleaner for use after brushing.
  • Once you have finished cleaning your denture then rinse it in fresh water, and store it in a container with denture soaking solution or plain water. This will prevent it from warping as dentures need to be kept moist when not being worn. Don’t place them in hot water as this could warp the acrylic base.

Adjustments and Repairs

Brand new dentures often need slight adjustments soon after you begin wearing them, so it is likely that you will need to visit our Leeds surgery for a follow-up appointment shortly after receiving them. Please don’t try to adjust them yourself as you could end up weakening the denture, or even breaking it. If you do happen to break it then please contact us to get it repaired. We’ll get this done as quickly as possible for you so you shouldn’t be without it for very long. Please do not try to mend it yourself, as it is important to get it repaired properly. Household glues will damage the denture, and it can be surprisingly difficult to fit the pieces back together accurately if you do not have the proper equipment and materials. Any cracks or breaks in your denture do need to be repaired using the same acrylic material used for its construction.

Relining, Rebasing and Replacing Dentures

Over time the shape of your gums will change, especially if you wear full dentures or if you have a lower denture. The reason for this is that the bone in your jaw is gradually reabsorbed, so the bony ridge that supports and retains your denture will become flatter. One consequence of this is that your dentures may become more difficult to retain, and they may begin to move around, making eating and speaking increasingly difficult.

At this stage Dr David Brown may suggest you have your dentures rebased or relined. This is where a completely new denture base is fitted to your existing dentures, reusing the existing teeth. This process can help prolong the life of your denture, but you should be prepared for them to need replacing every three to six years. It is important to make sure your denture continues to fit well, not only for your comfort but also to help protect the bone in your jaw. If you wear a poorly fitting denture then your jawbone will reabsorb more quickly.

Stabilising Dentures with Implants

If you find dentures very difficult to wear then there may be an alternative solution. Dentures can be stabilised with as few as four dental implants, a process that is becoming increasingly popular. If you’d like to know more, then contact our dentist in Leeds City Dentalcare for a consultation, and to find out if you are suitable for implants.

Dr. David S Brown

David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.

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