A Clinical Dental Technician is an experienced Dental Technician who has taken additional qualifications allowing them to offer direct treatment to the patient. Registered as a Dental Care Professional, they adhere to the same clinical governance and guidelines as our qualified dentists.
Traditionally dentures are made by your own dentist. You have a discussion, impressions are taken and these are sent along to a Dental Technician who works in a laboratory away from the practice. Instructions for the construction of your dentures are written on the accompanying laboratory ticket. Very occasionally, a telephone conversation may be had. This system can lead to the finer details (and patient wishes) quite often being “lost in translation”, meaning the finished results may be a standard set up with little individuality or characterisation.
From initial consultation, taking impressions, to the finished denture fitting, our Clinical Dental Technician, Ian, will be in sole charge of the whole process. This process can now be achieved “in house” at Winchester House Dental Practice without the need for relaying messages backwards and forwards between patient, dentist and technician. As a patient, you get to have primary input in the design, shade, shape and individuality of your new dentures. Deciding together in surgery how you want your teeth to look, Ian will take the dentures back to his own laboratory for the creation of your new smile. Ian works alone so he will prepare the dentures in every last detail himself, using high quality materials to ensure you get the best possible outcome.
Ian is a dental technician, bringing 30 years wealth of experience to a clinical setting. You can be assured that your new dentures will be made by Ian in his own laboratory designed to your own specifications.
A denture is a removable prosthesis used to replace missing teeth. Commonly referred to as ‘false teeth’, a denture is usually made of acrylic or a combination of acrylic and metal. A partial denture is fitted to replace some missing teeth whilst a complete denture is indicated when all natural teeth are missing. A good set of dentures helps you to eat, speak, function, and often improves a person’s appearance.
Depending on the complexity of each case, the duration of the treatment will vary. After the initial visit of examination and diagnosis, the subsequent visits will include taking impressions of the mouth, bite registration, try-in of the denture, fitting and review.
New dentures always feel strange when first placed in your mouth. Several days or weeks will be required before you get accustomed to them. Adaptation varies with different persons and often time and experience are essential before dentures can be worn comfortably and function effectively.
Eating – Eating will take a little practice. Start with soft foods and foods cut into small pieces will help. Chew slowly using both sides of your mouth at the same time to prevent dentures from tipping. Once you become accustomed to chewing, include other foods until you return to your normal diet.
Increased salivary flow – You may experience an increase in salivary flow when the dentures are first inserted. This is a natural response of the salivary glands that will return to normal after a few weeks. You can improve the situation by swallowing more often.
Speech – New dentures may alter your speech initially. Pronouncing certain words may require practice. Reading out loud and repeating troublesome words will speed up the adaptation process. This problem rarely persists beyond two weeks.
Sore spots – Minor irritation caused by surface irregularities or pressure spots on the denture-bearing areas are quite common. Your dentist will relieve the discomfort by adjusting the denture surface. Stop wearing the denture if the irritation is very painful. Consult your dentist immediately.
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