Adjusting to Implant Dentures: A Simple Guide to Your Transition Period

Traditional dentures have many benefits, but they also fall short in some significant ways. If you are ready to say goodbye to your old set of teeth and hello to implant dentures, you can look forward to a stronger bite and more confident smile! But how long will it take you to adjust to implant dentures? The process is unique for each individual, but they are some practical steps you can take to make the transition period as easy as possible:

Start with Soft Foods

Implant dentures are strong enough to enable you to eat almost any food. When you first start using them, though, they will feel like a foreign object in your mouth. It may be best to enjoy a relatively soft diet until you are adjusted to how your new teeth feel and function. When you feel up to it, you can gradually incorporate tougher foods into your diet. You will be able to consume even many items that are off-limits for traditional denture wearers!

Practice Speaking

Clear speech is partially the result of complex interactions between oral structures, including the teeth and the tongue. You should expect your implant dentures to help you enunciate words with crispness and clarity. At first, though, it may feel strange or uncomfortable to talk with your new prosthetic. Reading out loud or enjoying lighthearted conversation with your loved ones may help you to adapt.

Expect Some Extra Saliva

Whenever an object is placed in your mouth, your body’s natural response is to increase saliva production. Therefore, you might drool a bit when you first get your implant dentures. Usually, this issue goes away fairly quickly. In the meantime, be sure to drink lots of water so you can rinse away excess saliva.

Establish Good Habits

Keeping an implant denture in good shape is fairly simple, but you will need to make some adjustments to your routine. If you have a permanent implant denture, you can brush and floss it in almost the same way that you would care for natural teeth. If it is removable, you should take it out of your mouth each evening so you can thoroughly clean it, the attachments keeping it in place, and your mouth.

Ask Your Dentist if You Have Questions

The dentist who provides your implant denture wants you to derive the greatest possible benefits from your restored smile. Therefore, you should not hesitate to communicate with them about any questions or concerns that arise. Give them a call whenever you need assistance!

Overall, it takes less time to get used to implant dentures than traditional dentures. Hopefully, it will not be long before your new teeth feel like a normal part of your routine!

Meet the Practice

Whitinsville Family Dentistry is proud to be the workplace of four highly talented dentists. They combine advanced technology with extensive training in order to provide start-to-finish dental implant treatment. If you are thinking about upgrading from a traditional denture to an implant-supported prosthetic, our team would be pleased to consult with you. Contact our office at 508-234-8107.