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About Denture Fitting

George Washington was known for many things. He was our first president, he couldn’t lie about chopping down a cherry tree, and he wore wooden dentures.

Or did he? While it’s true that modern dentistry has come a long, long way since the 1700s, most dental historians agree his teeth weren’t made from wood. They were made from a mix of materials that included bone, ivory, copper, gold, and human teeth.

An Early Pioneer

They also note that Washington was an early pioneer of good oral health. His letters and journals make regular mention of the need for toothbrushes, tooth scrapers, cleaning solutions, and other oral health products. Records show that he spent a lot of money trying to keep his teeth healthy, hiring dentists, and trying to develop comfortable dentures.

Unfortunately, he also had some bad lifestyle habits. His fondness for honey and wine, added to the unhealthy food he ate as a soldier, probably contributed to his poor oral health. By the time of his inauguration, he only had one working tooth in his mouth.

Later, his wife Martha had a partial denture. These early dentures were painful, and they caused both Martha and George to look like they had crooked faces. After all the tooth troubles she and George suffered, Martha regularly wrote to her children urging them to take care of their teeth.

Dentures Today

Today’s dentures are far more advanced than the bulky, uncomfortable dentures the Washingtons wore. Most are made from acrylic resin, which is a flexible plastic.

There are several benefits to acrylic dentures. They are stronger than other types because they adhere more firmly to the denture base. They’re also the most affordable type. However, they must be replaced every five to eight years because they don’t last as dentures made from porcelain and other materials.

Some denture manufacturers use porcelain. Porcelain dentures are long-lasting and more natural-looking than acrylic resin. Most porcelain dentures last for years without needing to be replaced. However, they’re also heavier and more expensive.

How Does Your Dentist Fit Your Dentures?

Your dentist needs a framework to support your dentures. This is called a full or a partial plate. The plate holds the replacement teeth and is a removable, pink-colored plastic base that resembles your natural gums. There are three types of plates.

• Conventional: This is a fully removable denture that takes several months to settle into your mouth and feel comfortable. To get a conventional denture, your dentist must remove all your remaining teeth and allow the tissue to heal before placing the denture. This may take one or two months.

• Immediate: An immediate denture can go into your mouth the same day your dentist removes your teeth. To create this denture, your dentist takes measurements and creates a model of your teeth before removing them. With this type, you won’t have to spend several weeks without teeth. Your dentist may have to adjust it later, however, to fit changes that happen when your tissue heals.

• George Washington was known for many things. He was our first president, he couldn’t lie about chopping down a cherry tree, and he wore wooden dentures.

Or did he? While it’s true that modern dentistry has come a long, long way since the 1700s, most dental historians agree his teeth weren’t made from wood. They were made from a mix of materials that included bone, ivory, copper, gold, and human teeth.

An Early Pioneer

They also note that Washington was an early pioneer of good oral health. His letters and journals make regular mention of the need for toothbrushes, tooth scrapers, cleaning solutions, and other oral health products. Records show that he spent a lot of money trying to keep his teeth healthy, hiring dentists, and trying to develop comfortable dentures.

Unfortunately, he also had some bad lifestyle habits. His fondness for honey and wine, added to the unhealthy food he ate as a soldier, probably contributed to his poor oral health. By the time of his inauguration, he only had one working tooth in his mouth.

Later, his wife Martha had a partial denture. These early dentures were painful, and they caused both Martha and George to look like they had crooked faces. After all the tooth troubles she and George suffered, Martha regularly wrote to her children urging them to take care of their teeth.

Dentures Today

Today’s dentures are far more advanced than the bulky, uncomfortable dentures the Washingtons wore. Most are made from acrylic resin, which is a flexible plastic.

There are several benefits to acrylic dentures. They are stronger than other types because they adhere more firmly to the denture base. They’re also the most affordable type. However, they must be replaced every five to eight years because they don’t last as dentures made from porcelain and other materials.

Some denture manufacturers use porcelain. Porcelain dentures are long-lasting and more natural-looking than acrylic resin. Most porcelain dentures last for years without needing to be replaced. However, they’re also heavier and more expensive.

How Does Your Dentist Fit Your Dentures?

Your dentist needs a framework to support your dentures. This is called a full or a partial plate. The plate holds the replacement teeth and is a removable, pink-colored plastic base that resembles your natural gums. There are three types of plates.

• Conventional: This is a fully removable denture that takes several months to settle into your mouth and feel comfortable. To get a conventional denture, your dentist must remove all your remaining teeth and allow the tissue to heal before placing the denture. This may take one or two months.

• Immediate: An immediate denture can go into your mouth the same day your dentist removes your teeth. To create this denture, your dentist takes measurements and creates a model of your teeth before removing them. With this type, you won’t have to spend several weeks without teeth. Your dentist may have to adjust it later, however, to fit changes that happen when your tissue heals.

• Overdenture: These are dentures that use dental implants as their primary support, eliminating much of the movement that is often associated with conventional dentures.

Get Fitted for Dentures

You can get fitted for safe, comfortable dentures that look and feel natural. To get started, contact Malan Family Dentistry today. We promise not to fit you with any wooden teeth.

Get Fitted for Dentures

You can get fitted for safe, comfortable dentures that look and feel natural. To get started, contact Malan Family Dentistry today. We promise not to fit you with any wooden teeth.