Why should I have my teeth made at Afdent instead of another office?

Dentures aren't the only treatment we provide at Afdent, but we've been doing this for a long time - for over 30 years in Michiana and for over 25 years in Fort Wayne. Since no two mouths are the same, often times the proper fit of a denture will depend on the doctor's ability to properly prepare your mouth for dentures during your oral surgery (Yes, tooth extractions are a form of surgery). Just as one of our "Denture Truths" exclaims, "When choosing a dentist to perform your oral surgery, you want to know they've done it many times before. At Afdent, we have!" Other reasons for choosing Afdent are centered around our motto of Patient Friendly Dentistry. We always put the patient first. We have extremely convenient hours and invite you to walk-in without an appointment 6 days a week. We believe we have the most flexible payment arrangements that are designed to save out-of-pocket expense for just about anyone. All of your treatment is included in one package, there are never any hidden fees, and we have our own lab. If something should happen to your denture we can make the repair that same day. We could go on and on, but we'd rather invite you for a visit and allow you to decide for yourself!

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Do you make your own dentures?

Yes. We have in-office denture labs in both Fort Wayne and Mishawaka, allowing us to greatly control the quality of everything we do.

Do you guarantee your dentures at Afdent?

Afdent stands behind all their work. Guarantees many times have disclaimers or conditions that reduce the financial protection you believe you are receiving. For example, at Afdent, we include all adjustments, co-softs and follow-up care for one full year. We assure you, the patient, that our work is the very best available and we want you to be satisfied with your Afdent experience; therefore, we will do everything we can to meet your expectations.

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What is all included in my treatment?

We don't want you to have to go out of pocket anytime in the future for an expense you did not expect. For this reason when you visit Afdent for your free consultation, it is our policy to include as much of your treatment as possible in one simple package. Often this package includes extractions, dentures, liners, and adjustments.

Will I be able to eat whatever I want?

Easily one of the top two or three most asked questions for anyone thinking about dentures, everyone wants to know if they will be able to eat their favorite foods including things like corn on the cob and apples. Learning to eat properly with dentures will not happen overnight, but with practice and patience many people are able to once again enjoy their favorite foods. Since people who are in need of dentures have difficulty chewing and digesting food much of the time already, dentures almost always improve a person's ability to enjoy eating again.

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Are the extractions going to hurt?

We have many options for making you as comfortable as possible during your surgery, including oral conscious sedation where, as the name implies, you are awake but your awareness is as though you were "put under." If you feel anything you might feel some pressure, but rest assured - our surgical staff and doctors take every precaution in making sure you are not feeling pain. We believe the number of people who refer their family and friends to us every single day are a testament to our ability to ensure our patients' comfort.

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Will I need denture adhesive?

Often times the need for adhesive will vary from patient to patient and will depend on many factors. Some factors are in your control, such as the ability of the muscles in your mouth to be retrained in order to work with your dentures in order to hold them securely in place. Some factors are in our control such as our ability to accurately capture all of the details of your mouth when we take your impression, our quality control process for ensuring your custom made denture is delivered by our lab technicians in adherence to the strictest specifications, and our ability to apply our years of surgical experience in properly preparing your mouth for your denture. Still other factors are out of everyone's control, such as the bone structure of your mouth. If a fit without adhesive is of utmost importance to you, often times the opportunity exists to utilize modern technology for denture stabilization called dental implants. As the name suggests, implants are placed into the bone and latch onto the denture "plate" holding them securely in place. We will be happy to discuss all of your options, including your options for dental implants during the time of your free consultation.

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How quickly can I get my dentures?

The time from when you decide to take the first step toward improving your oral health through dentures to the time you actually receive them is usually about a week. This gives us time to take an impression of your mouth so your custom denture can be made, and schedule an appointment for your extractions and the delivery of your denture. If you need them faster, often times we can accommodate you because we have our own lab and can rush things to work with your schedule.

Once I get my teeth extracted, when will I be able to eat?

A huge benefit of dentures is the ability to chew and digest food better, so we encourage you to start adapting to your denture by eating as soon as you feel like you will be able to do so. Most likely your diet will need to consist of only soft foods for at least a week or two.

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Can my new teeth look like my old ones?

Sometimes we get requests from patients who want their denture to look like their original teeth. Of course, we want to give you what you want. We believe that is what Patient Friendly Dentistry is all about! So this answer is easy, "Yes, they can."

Will my dentures function like my natural teeth?

For the most part yes, however, they are not permanently fixed so they will move. The transition to dentures is not the easiest one, but the vast majority of people are able to adapt over time. Remain patient and practice, and don't be afraid to use adhesive to add stability. Remember, our commitment to you is ongoing. We have an entire department dedicated to making sure you are happy with your denture. You can come in 6 days a week, every week, with or without an appointment if you are having a problem or need encouragement. Please take advantage of us!

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Will my face bruise after surgery?

Some people bruise more easily than others, and if this is you, unfortunately it is likely you will experience some bruising. We strongly encourage all of our patients to follow the guidelines we give them for their post-surgical care, as by following those guidelines you are able to minimize side effects such as bruising as much as possible.

How long will I experience bleeding after surgery?

Tooth extractions are a form of surgery so there is a good degree of recovery time. This is especially true for package extractions (where multiple teeth are extracted), which is almost always the case when a person is getting dentures for the first time. Often times the mouth will bleed for several days to a week after surgery, but bleeding can be minimized by strictly following our guidelines for post-surgical care.

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When will the swelling go down after my surgery?

As with all questions relating to the healing of your mouth after your denture surgery, it is important to follow our post-surgery guidelines for the fastest possible recovery. Swelling can be minimized by following these instructions and usually will subside in a few days to a week after surgery.

How long until I can sleep without dentures?

For the first two weeks it is best for your dentures to be worn as much as possible, including while you sleep. Any swelling you may be experiencing is usually gone after a couple of weeks, and we recommend you wait until this time if you wish to sleep without your dentures.

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What kind of adhesive do I use?

There are different types of adhesive giving you plenty of options to find the product that is right for you. Paste, powder, and bonding strips are the most common. If you decide that you enjoy the extra security denture adhesive offers, we encourage you to experiment with the different products and decide for yourself which one you like best. It is important that for the first 3 weeks, however, you use only powdered adhesive, as typically it is the mildest and will not interfere with the healing in your mouth.

Why do I need adhesive to keep dentures in when my friend/parent didn't need anything?

Everyone's fit and bone structure are different. A lot of patients do not have enough undercuts or depth of bone causing their fit to not be as good as the denture fit of those people who have a lot of bone. In this case adhesive can make a big difference in helping you trust the fit of your denture, and dental implants are also an option to be considered. We will work diligently with you until you are happy with your denture one way or another.

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Am I going to have to wear denture paste for the rest of my life?

Every patient is different - some never wear paste and refuse to do it. Others make adhesive a part of their morning, afternoon, and evening ritual. A lot of this simply depends on the desire of many people to have the added security offered by adhesive.

Why don't my lower dentures fit as well as my uppers?

When the lower denture doesn't fit as well as the upper, most of the time it is due to the fact that there simply is not as much bone or "surface area" to support the denture. Typically the upper denture has plenty of support as it is able to suction to the roof of the mouth. Also, the tongue can have the tendency to push the lower denture out of place. As with any problem or frustration you may be experiencing with your denture, it is important for you to visit Afdent so we can make sure every scenario is being exhausted in giving you the proper fit, including the discussion for the option of dental implants which hold the denture firmly in place.

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Why does my mouth water so much?

When we have food in our mouth, our brain sends a signal telling us to salivate. If you've never worn any kind of mouthpiece, your brain will need time to adapt to the new fixture in your mouth. The more you are committed to wearing your denture, the quicker your brain should adapt, but typically this takes 3 to 4 weeks.

Why does it feel like the dentures are right under my nose?

Our front teeth play an important role in "holding up" our lips. After teeth are lost or extracted lips can almost have a sunken appearance. In order to avoid this, it is important to have enough lip support built into the denture, and this is most likely the length that is felt under the nose. As you adapt to your denture this something that will feel much more natural.

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Will my dentures always feel big?

Dentures almost always feel large during the first year as the bone that once held teeth shrinks back. It is also critical at this time to maintain a certain "thickness" to the denture, so that when the shrinking of the bone is finished we can adjust the denture to the mouth's new bone structure and place liners for the best fit. At this time your denture should feel much more comfortable, not to mention the fact you will have become much more accustomed to wearing your denture and used to the way it feels.

Why do my dentures seem to pop out of place when I bite into certain foods like a sandwich?

Because dentures are designed as a removable appliance, leverage is created when pressure is applied in certain areas allowing the denture to be removed. Unfortunately, this leverage can also be created sometimes when biting. If this is a problem you are experiencing, learning to bite off to the side of your mouth should help you avoid this experience, and coming in to visit us to make sure your denture is properly adjusted is a good idea, too.

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Can I clean my dentures with bleach?

You may have heard of people attempting to clean their dentures with bleach, but you never want to do this. Bleach is harmful to your health, regardless of how well you believe you have rinsed your denture, and the finish of your denture will be destroyed. We recommend using anti-bacterial dish soap and cleansing tablets. Of course, if you are experiencing staining with your denture, bring it in and we'll be happy to polish it and deliver back its original shine!

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How long will my dentures last?

There are several levels of quality (and price) dentures available. At Afdent, we only provide dentures of the best quality because we want them to fit properly and provide you with years of excellent service. Proper fit and quality denture materials are the main ingredients for determining the life of dentures. Of course, may variables such as what you eat or if you wear your dentures while sleeping, etc. will also determine just how long your dentures last. Insurance companies will pay claim for replacement dentures every 5-7 years. The national average lifespan of dentures is between 7-12 years. Afdent has many patients that have had the same set of dentures for 20-30 years. You owe it to yourself to check out the differences, not only in the dentures, but also the dentist that provides those dentures. We invite you to visit Afdent for a no charge denture consultation.

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