Tutti Fruiti

February 16, 2022

As a person with anxiety of going to any doctors or dentists it took me a while to find the right dentist for me. Without a question I have found the right place. Not only does Dr.Ofaly have a great personality and is just a cool person in general but as a dentist you literally couldn’t find one that is as gentle and patient as him. He knows of my issues and couldn’t be more understanding. Also every procedure I have had their has been painless and so smooth. If your looking for a new dentist please trust me and just give him a try and I promise like me you will become a longtime patient. You really couldn’t be in better hands!

My experience at Dr Fisher and Orfaly’s office has been the same since day one ,ten years ago when urged from my mom to transfer over to the Hawthorne Blvd office.Wonderful! Truly.From the time you walk in, the atmosphere is like a small community of people you have come to know. Amy who has been my dental hygienist for years now makes my time enjoyable with a new topic of conversation to cover every time.Dr. Orfaly has handled my dental care for sometime now , from many, to all procedures, I couldn’t be happier. Yet more than just wanting to get it right with my teeth, he wants to know how you are, how your mom is ,and of course your favorite sports teams . Again, it’s a community I would recommend to any and all .Tom D

Our family has gotten our dental care (routine and otherwise) from Fisher & Orfaly for over 20 years. They have, without exception, provided compassionate, clearly explained, patient-centered, top-quality dental services and I recommend them without reservation. One of my adult children even went to them for an evaluation of some complicated work they had done elsewhere (out of state). I especially appreciate the measures their practice took during the pandemic — including installing hospital-grade air filtration — to maximize safety for patients and staff.

I have been a patient at Dr. Orfali’s for over 20 years. He has always been professional and never performs anything that is not needed. I’ve had a couple of crowns and he has done a great job. My adult son was told by a dentist that he had about $5000 worth of work to be done on his mouth. Dr. Orfali reviewed his x-rays and he did not need any work. I would trust Dr. Orfali with any of your dental needs. He will always be truthful.

About Dentures

There are many different reasons for the loss of teeth. Tooth decay, gum disease, and facial injuries can cause tooth loss. Loss of teeth can lead to functional and aesthetic issues. Missing teeth can make it hard to talk and chew food. Tooth loss can also cause the facial muscles to sag. Dentures replace the missing teeth and improve functionality and appearance.

Dentures are replacement devices for missing teeth. They are designed to look natural and are made of various materials like acrylic, nylon, or metal. Dentures can be used in the replacement of one tooth, several or all of the teeth. Certain types of dentures can replace all of the teeth and the surrounding gum and tissue.

Indications for Complete Dentures

Complete dentures are full-coverage oral prosthetic devices that replace a complete arch of missing teeth. The following are indications for this type of dental prosthesis:

A Full Arch of Missing Teeth

Dental implants that have been deemed inappropriate by patient and/or doctor because of financial constraints, a medically compromised status that contraindicates surgery, or inevitable damage to vital structures such as maxillary sinuses, nerves, and vessels. In this case, dentures are used to replace the missing teeth.
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Intraoral cancer that has caused a loss of gross intraoral tissue, resulting in an edentulous dental arch; the complete denture prosthesis would then not only replace teeth but also fill in the portion of missing tissue (eg, nasopharynx, hard palate).

An Edentulous Maxillary Ridge

A maxillary complete denture is used to restore the upper ridge and a mandibular partial cast denture is placed to restore mandibular partial edentulous regions.

Types of Dentures

There are many different types of dentures available today. Some of them are:

Conventional Complete Dentures

These are dentures that are fabricated using acrylic resin and that rely on the alveolar ridge, saliva, and other supporting structures for retention.

Immediate Complete Dentures

These are dentures usually delivered immediately after all remaining teeth of a dental arch are removed. During the healing process, this denture helps to confine the remodeling of the underlying ridge to the interior of the denture. Ordinarily, this type of denture must be relined periodically as the underlying tissues heal and remodel. Usually, after 6 months, a conventional complete denture is indicated (ie, a new denture).

Overdentures

These are dentures that fit over usually two or more roots that have been salvaged and stabilized. These dentures can also fit over dental implants that have been placed. With overdentures, locator attachments are sometimes secured within the remaining roots or within placed dental implants, and these components are known to improve retention. Roots and dental implants help to preserve bone, and the added retention is known to be greater than conventional complete dentures alone.

Partial Dentures

A removable partial denture usually consists of replacement teeth attached to a pink or gum-colored plastic base, which is sometimes connected by a metal framework that holds the denture in place in the mouth. Partial dentures are used when one or more natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw.

Dentures Care And Maintenance

It is essential to take care of your dentures and maintain them to increase their lifespan and to prevent any damage to your gums and teeth. It is important to treat dentures like you would treat your natural teeth. In particular, removable and partial dentures require proper care, or else they get stained and may also lead to dental problems.

At Fisher & Orfaly Dental in Salem, MA, you will receive denture care instructions when your treatment is completed. Good oral hygiene and eating habits, alongside regular dental visits, will aid in increasing the lifespan of your dentures.

How Can I Clean My Dentures?

The most important thing to do for dentures care and maintenance is properly cleaning your dentures. It is advisable to keep the dentures clean so that you do not have inflamed gums or damage any teeth further.

Clean your dentures at least once a day, though it will be better to clean them twice a day. Not cleaning your dentures regularly not only affects your oral health but also makes your dentures deteriorate quickly. If you don’t clean your dentures regularly and properly, then they get stained and accumulate germs and bacteria that will grow over time. This makes your dentures worn and smelly, and also increases the risk of bad breath and damage to your gums and teeth.

Cleaning dentures doesn’t mean simply rinsing them in water. So, if you are wondering how to clean your dentures, here is a way:

Brush and soak is the usual way of cleaning the dentures. Brush the dentures with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive dentures cleaner. Don’t use toothpaste when brushing your dentures. Most toothpaste brands have ingredients that are too abrasive for dentures. Brushing dentures with these kinds of toothpaste can gradually damage your dentures, leading to small cracks or scratches. So it is better to brush your dentures with specially made dentures cleaners or dentures cleansers.
Soak your dentures every day in the denture-care solution. This will help remove any plaque or stains on the surface.

Dentures Repairs

Denture repair is a major aspect of dentures care and maintenance. While dentures are designed to last many years, daily wear and tear can weaken your dentures. This makes it more likely for them to get damaged or to break. That is when you should get your dentures repaired as soon as possible.

Another reason why dentures need repair is that they may no longer fit the way they should. The jawbone tends to change over time, and so your dentures may need minor adjustments and repair as time goes by.

The three most common types of denture repairs are:

Relining: Sometimes the natural changes to the gums and teeth which occur over time cause the fit of the dentures to change. A denture relining helps to fix the fit of the dentures and ensures that they do not become loose.
Rebasing: Denture rebasing is a type of denture repair where the entire base of the dentures is replaced. This type of denture repair is necessary when the dentures are reaching the end of their lifespan, or if the dentures get cracked.
Adjustments: Occasionally, wearing dentures can cause some discomfort, like sore spots in the mouth. In these cases, it is best to get your dentures adjusted by a dental professional as soon as possible. Dentures adjustments allow the dentures to properly function again. Dentures adjustment can also be done to aesthetic parts of the dentures to improve their appearance.

It can be tempting to try and repair your dentures at home, but that is very risky. Denture repairs can be very delicate and if not done properly it is possible for the dentures to be damaged further. That is why it is essential to get your dentures repaired by a dental professional.

How Much Do Dentures Cost?

If you’re thinking about getting dentures, then you must be wondering how much dentures cost. It is hard to give an estimate of the cost of dentures, as it depends on many different factors.

Some of the factors that influence dentures cost are:

Types of dentures: The type of dentures you need will determine a major portion of the dentures cost. Obviously, partial dentures will be less expensive than complete dentures or overdentures.
Materials used: Dentures can be made from a variety of materials like acrylic, nylon, or metal. The material used to make the dentures will influence how much the dentures will cost. For example; dentures made of high-quality acrylic will cost more than dentures made of metal.
Preparation required: Sometimes, you may have to undergo certain dental procedures like tooth extraction or gum disease therapy before getting your dentures. These procedures will increase the overall cost of the dentures treatment.

Major insurance companies cover partial or full costs of the dentures treatment depending on your plan and also the insurance companies. Usually, up to 50% of dentures cost is covered by insurance.

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