Gets Her Smile Back – As we get older, it can be hard to admit that our mothers are getting older too. If your mom is getting dentures, don’t look at it as a reminder of her age, but rather an opportunity to return a little bit of the love and consideration she has given you over the years. In honour of Mother’s Day, here are some small ways you can show your appreciation to dear old mom if she’s decided to invest in dentures:

Be There by Her Side

Any type of medical procedure can be unsettling if you are going in alone, even dentures. If you are able, take a couple of hours off of work to drive your mom to and from her appointment. Just being there for her during this procedure will mean the world. Think back to all of the times that she drove you to practice or missed work to be there when you needed her.

Pick Up the Slack

Just because mom went in for a procedure doesn’t mean that her chores have gone away. Take some time to tidy up her living space. Whether that’s doing dishes or sweeping the floor, you know she will appreciate the effort. If you know she’ll be tired afterwards, wash her linens and have a nice, clean bed ready for her when she gets home.

Cook Up Some Love

The day after the dentures have been installed can make eating a challenge. Dentures definitely take some getting used to, and some people have a hard time getting the nutrients they need during that adjustment period. Do your mom a favour and prepare some healthy easy-to-chew food. Yogurt, mashed veggies, and broth are all great foods to start with. For a nice treat, pick up her favourite ice cream.

Have a Heart to Heart

Talking with new dentures can be equally as challenging, so it’s important to practice, practice, practice! Over the next few days, find some time to call or visit mom. Not only will she enjoy the company, but it will help her get used to speaking with her dentures.

Your mom has been with you through a lot. If she is getting dentures, take some time out of your busy schedule to be there for her. After all, we owe our moms a lot, and what better time to show her how much you care than now? Dentures don’t have to be stressful; contact us today for a consultation.

Dentures have been around for at least 2700 years, longer than most of technology we use today! Here’s a brief look at how far we’ve come:

Ancient Technology

The earliest known dentures were from 700 BC in Northern Italy, fashioned out of human and animal teeth by the Etruscan people. The materials were easy to source and the dentures themselves easy to make. The only downfall was that these makeshift prosthetics would deteriorate rather quickly. That must not have bothered people too much, because they remained popular into the 1800s.

Poor Substitutes

Vying for popularity in the 1700s, ivory dentures started popping up. These would be sourced from walruses, elephants, and hippopotamuses. However, these seemingly fashionable dentures discoloured very easily and never became the standard. Next up was porcelain dentures from a man by the name of Alexis Duchateau. While he did correct the discolouration issue, it would appear he skewed too far. The porcelain was so bright, that the new invention was not convincing as natural teeth replacement. Combine that with the fact that porcelain cracks easily, and this idea was thrown to the wayside fairly quickly after its inception.

Looks Just Like the Real Thing! (Because It Was)

The early 1800s brought the Battle of Waterloo and a strange phenomenon in dentures. People had decided to take the teeth from the mouths of dead soldier’s where they lay. After this, teeth were taken from criminals and slaves or supplied by grave robbers. Contrary to popular belief, George Washington did not have wooden teeth; his dentures were made from human teeth, like many other people in his time.

The Perfect Fit

Finally, in 1820, a man named Claudius Ash invented a new set of dentures that didn’t have to be sourced from dead bodies. They were made by mounting porcelain on 18-karat gold plates, with gold springs and swivels. Soon after, dentures were made of Vulcanite, a hardened rubber into which the porcelain teeth were set. In the 20th century, acrylic resin and other plastics replaced the porcelain.

We have come a long way from putting animal teeth in our mouth. Advancements and research even now is constantly improving denture technology. And that gives everyone a great reason to smile!

You’ve been consulting with your denturist and decided that you need dentures. Where do you start? What are your options? Don’t worry—with a little bit of knowledge and some expert guidance, your denture journey will be smooth sailing.

Types Of Dentures:

• Partial Dentures: This option is for patients who still have some teeth remaining. Removable and partial, these dentures are intended for patients who need replacement teeth for function, aesthetic, or both. These can be taken out and put in by the patient themselves.
• Implant Dentures: This option is for patients who have significant bone loss or who want the convenience of a stabilized prosthetic. As the name suggest, these dentures are placed over dental implants in the patient’s mouth.
• Full Dentures: This option is a full removable prosthetic device. This is for patients lacking all of their teeth, and is supported by soft and hard tissues in your mouth. Because of this, the fit of the dentures is incredibly important for comfort and functionality.

Step By Step:

1. Measurements: The denturist will need to take impressions of your mouth. They will also assess your upper and lower jaws and measure the space between them.
2. Initial Cast: From the measurements, your denturist will create a new set of teeth set up in wax. This denture with teeth set up in wax will be used to help determine the correct shape, fit, and colour. Changes will be made as needed.
3. Final Cast: After the changes have been made, it is time to process the denture in order for the denturist to make the final version.
4. Regular Checkups: Once you have your brand new set of dentures, make sure to come in for regular checkups. This is to ensure the comfort and longevity of your prosthetic.

Broken down into steps, the denture process isn’t too intimidating. Arm yourself with knowledge and a great denturist, and you will be sure to have a great experience. You’ll wonder why you didn’t try for dentures sooner!

Learning to eat with dentures can be a challenge at first. But with a little bit of patience and some consideration, you’ll be back to normal in no time! Here are three habits that will help you on your way:

Start Slow

When you initially get your dentures, give yourself time to get used to them. Eat soft foods that won’t cause strain. Cutting those foods into bite-sized pieces will also help the chewing process. Some patients find it helpful to cut their food into thin strips and use both sides of their mouth to chew at the same time. Once you become accustomed to chewing, you can slowly start to introduce more foods.

Shift Focus

Keep in mind that food may taste and feel differently than it did before dentures. You will need to get used to this new way of eating. Stay away from hard or sticky foods and be careful that your beverages aren’t too hot. On top of the types of foods you eat, you may notice that how you eat will shift. Biting with your front teeth can cause the dentures to become unstable, so you should use your canines instead.

Keep Them Clean

For the most comfort, you need to implement a regular care routine. The great thing about dentures is that you can pop them out to clean them instead of struggling to get at those hard to reach places. A soft-bristled toothbrush will do wonders to remove food deposits and prevent staining. While you are cleaning your dentures, don’t forget about your mouth! Brush your gums and tongue to ensure that they aren’t collecting any unwanted bacteria.

Broken down into steps, eating with dentures isn’t so hard after all! And of course, once you get your dentures, we will be sure to answer all of your questions before you leave our office. After all, you chose to get dentures to improve your quality of life, and it’s our job to make that happen!

Any appliance, from your television to your dentures, will experience some level of wear and minor complications. In the case of your television, it’s easy enough to just turn the darn thing off. However, your dentures require a bit more attention. Here are four of the most common denture problems, how to avoid them, and how to treat them.

Excessive Saliva

If you are new to dentures, you may notice that your mouth is producing more saliva than normal. This is because your body senses a foreign object and is trying to get rid of it through salivating. This is completely normal, and over time your mouth will adjust. While you are waiting for your mouth to get used to the new appliance, try swallowing more or sucking on mints.

Shifting Dentures

If your dentures are slipping around your mouth, this is a tell-tale sign that it’s time to visit your denturist. As mentioned above, our bodies are great at trying to get rid of objects that they perceive as foreign. In this case, your tongue and cheek muscles are pushing against your dentures to force them out of your mouth. A visit to your Denture Specialist can help you understand the root cause of these issues and how to resolve them, getting you talking and eating like normal again!

Mouth Sores and Pain

While soreness is very common while your mouth is getting used to dentures, ongoing pain should be dealt with accordingly. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water and ensure that your denture adhesive is working. If those do not give you relief, see your denturist. It is possible that your dentures no longer fit and need to be adjusted.

Poor Fit

Gum tissue and bone deteriorate over time as a normal part of the aging process. As a result, your dentures may fit less snugly, causing discomfort and pain if left untreated. Regular appointments will allow your denturist to make the necessary modifications and replacements as your mouth changes.

If you are experiencing any of these issues and need further advice, please give us a call. Here at South Calgary Dentures, we want to make sure that you have all of the knowledge you need to find success with your dentures!

Many dental and denture procedures sound intimidating just by name, nevermind what they involve. Denture implants are no exception. It conjures up a creepy feeling and makes patients wonder what is getting implanted and how? We understand these concerns and that many patients suffer dental phobias. That’s why, when it comes to implants, we want you to feel comfortable with the procedure.

Many of our patients love how stable and comfortable their implant retained dentures are. We know how many benefits a patient can see from this denture option, so we want to ensure that anyone who could benefit from implant retained dentures feels comfortable doing so.

Dental Implants are made out of titanium and are gentle fused into your jawbones. Titanium is the material of choice of implants because it’s super strong and also biocompatible. This new titanium implant creates an artificial tooth root for your implants. While there are numerous benefits to both conventional dentures and implant dentures, we find that dental implants are more effective at creating an extremely natural feel. Because the denture is secured to your jaw (as your natural teeth are), it is a permanent solution with increased stability. You’ll benefit from improved biting force and the security of never having your denture fall out or feel loose while you’re eating or talking.

Implant Surgery is an important step towards permanent denture implants, but unfortunately your Calgary denture specialist isn’t able to help you with this procedure. In fact, denturists aren’t allowed to do any kind of surgery as it’s just outside of the scope of our practice. However, what we can do is refer you to some of our trusted colleagues who we know are reputable and do excellent work. This can take a lot of anxiety out of finding the right oral surgeon. While your implant placement is planned, we’ll create a unique denture that fits on top of your implants. This denture will be crafted to perfectly fit into your mouth to complete your smile and help you speak and eat with confidence once more. And your denture and dental implant can be done on the same day!

At South Calgary Denture and Implant Clinic, we’re proud to offer our patients numerous solutions. We know that everyone’s mouth and situation is a little different, so you’ll want a denture as unique as you are! For a permanent denture solution that completely restores your ability to smile, speak, and eat, we find dental implants to be the best choice for many patients. The implant is securely attached to the jaw, and dental implants often require less maintenance over the years providing excellent long-term cost savings to patients.

The Calgary denturists at South Calgary Denture and Implant Clinic believe everyone has the right to smile comfortably. That’s why we’re proud to offer competitively priced implant retained denture packages as well as simple, accessible denture financing. Book your appointment with our team today, so you can smile with confidence once more.

A great smile is key to comfort and confidence, which is why thousands of people across Canada have decided to invest in dentures. When choosing a professional, it’s important to recognize what you’re looking for. Here’s what you need to know to get started:

What is a Denturist?

Simply put, denturists are dental professionals who specialize in dentures. Denturists are highly trained in these three areas:

• The construction of dentures: This means that the lab is in-house, ensuring that there is no miscommunication between construction and insertion.  

• The insertion of dentures: Your denturist will know exactly how to insert your new dentures in the most comfortable and efficient way possible.

• The maintenance of dentures: From rebases and soft liners, to tissue conditioners and oral care advice, your denturist will be with you every step of the way to ensure that your dentures are always working optimally.

Cutting Corners Could Cost You

An intuitive and well-informed plan is key to the success of your denture journey. All too often, patients attempt to cut costs by going to a sub-par treatment provider. However, those initial savings mean nothing, as fixing errors can result in costly and stressful procedures. Think about it this way: your smile is an expression of your unique personality. Doesn’t it just make sense to give it the best?

Come to Where You’re Cared For

Here at South Calgary Dentures, we never take smiles for granted. Our care is customized in such a way that your needs are always in the forefront. From our superior technology to our 6-day-a-week availability, we just want to give you the best. We offer a wide array of options so that we can fully assist with whatever your need.

Think that dentures may be for you, but you’re not sure where to start? The conversation begins with a free consultation. Give us a call today, and let’s get you smiling again!

This could be the year that you not only get a beautiful smile, but a smile that feels fantastic and functions optimally. A denture that looks great and fits perfectly is the closest feeling to having natural teeth, and can be achieved with the assistance of dental implants. Once considered the solution for replacing a single missing tooth, advances in technology and application allows patients who are missing all their teeth regain a youthful appearance and effective chewing system. There are many benefits that come with an implant-supported denture, this article highlights three benefits that everyone can appreciate.

Stabilizes The Denture To Improve Speech and Function

You might love your denture until it’s time to chew food or give that important work presentation, when your denture decides to move around and make you feel like it’s about to fall out of your mouth! This lack of stability is eliminated when a denture is supported by implants, because the denture is attached to the implants rather than balancing on bone and gum tissue that shrinks over time. Attachment to implants creates a stable foundation which translates to superior chewing and enhanced tongue resistance when it comes to speech.

Better Taste and Temperature Sensation

A traditional upper denture covers the palate and is designed to create on suction of the denture and hold it in place. However, this  an individual’s ability to fully taste food and experience full sensation of temperature and textures. For many, the lack of taste and sensation can take the fun out of mealtimes, which is hard to fix with a traditional denture. When a denture is made to attach to implants, it is shaped like a horseshoe, which means the center palatal area remains open, allowing the palate to remain uncovered and therefore able to take in taste and textures. This makes eating not only efficient, but fun again as well.

Time to Throw out Denture Adhesives

Sometimes the denture needs a little extra help staying in place, and denture adhesives are designed to create added suction to ensure that the appliance doesn’t move while in use. Though not a huge inconvenience to patients who are used to purchasing and applying adhesives, the freedom experienced when goopy gels and creams are no longer needed is a definite benefit, especially when it comes to traveling and spontaneous overnight visits.

Implant-supported dentures not only provide superior fit and comfort, they give a stable foundation for a beautiful smile that looks great and functions well.

Curious if implant-supported dentures are right for you? Contact South Calgary Denture and Implant Clinic today at 403.254.5000.

The New Year is a wonderful time to look towards the future and think about all the great things you hope to accomplish this year. Sometimes, these things just happen to you: you’ll be welcoming a new grandchild, so you endeavour to help your daughter or daughter-in-law to the best of your ability. But sometimes you get to choose your accomplishments for yourself: to eat better or smile more confidently.

Eating Well can be a true challenge for any senior who is missing teeth. Without the full force of your teeth, it can be difficult or even impossible to eat a lot of your favourite foods. You may only feel comfortable eating softer or mushier foods than you’d prefer. A partial or complete denture solution can help restore your bite, so you can eat the crisp veggies you’ve been missing and look forward to a barbeque once the winter ebs away.

Smile Confidently.

One of the first things a person notices about you is your smile. So whether it’s your grandchild showing you a pebble they found or your grocery clerk, it’s important you have a great smile you can confidently show the world. It can feel embarrassing to smile when you have teeth missing, but the expert denturists at South Calgary Dentures firmly believe that all Calgarians have a right to have a smile they love. That’s why we constantly strive to offer our patients the best denture products at an affordable price in a reasonable time frame.

Be Our VIP.

The New Year always brings a lovely fresh energy that has Canadians young and old looking towards their 2018 goals and resolutions. It’s a time of year when we all feel confident about being able to do anything! Harness that energy and become South Calgary Dentures’ very own VIP for a day. We’ll devote an entire calendar day especially to you, so you can come into our office and leave the same day with the perfect smile you dreamed of.

With a whole new year to accomplish your goals, anything and everything feels possible. And, when it comes to getting the smile you want, it’s certainly true! Our friendly staff at South Calgary Denture and Implant Clinic are here to make you feel welcome, appreciated, and above all, confident in your smile! Schedule your appointment today and greet 2018 with a smile!

Each year seems to race by faster and faster, and our to-do lists just seem to get longer and longer! If getting a new denture made has been on your to-do list, you still have time to get a new smile before we welcome in 2018. Calgary Denturists at South Calgary Implant and Denture Clinic understand the need to not only look great for holiday pictures but to also be able to enjoy family meals without unwanted discomfort and frustration of dealing with an ill-fitting prosthetic. Their schedules leading up to the holidays can accommodate last minute adjustments, and they can even fabricate new dentures fast so you will look good and feel confident in time for Christmas.

Worried Your Denture Will Break?

If you’ve been babying your denture because of a small crack or loose tooth, then it might be time to either see a denturist for a repair or have a new denture made, so you can enjoy the holidays without the fear of your denture breaking. Being proactive about having a denture adjusted or modified helps prevent unexpected breakages, and it ensures the fit and comfort of the appliance is optimized. There’s nothing worse than dealing with a sore spot when you’re away visiting friends and family. A great fitting denture keeps your attention on having fun with your family– not worrying about inflamed gum tissue. If you are planning on being out of town over the holidays, it’s a good idea to see your denturist for a check-up and adjustment before you leave to avoid unwanted discomfort during your trip.

Need a New Denture Fast?

Having a new denture made doesn’t have to take forever. At our clinic, it can be a surprisingly fast and efficient process because our clinic focuses on patient care and comfort. The team at South Calgary Implant and Denture Clinic strives to provide a level of care that reduces patient inconvenience by offering special treatment solutions such as ‘dentures in a day’ and ‘while you wait’ adjustments. These patient-focused solutions reduce the amount of time a person is without a prosthetic and get you smiling quickly and comfortably.

Ready to have a new denture and smile before the end of the year? Call the team at South Calgary Denture and Implant Clinic today – no referral required (403) 254-5000.