Having dentures means more than just flashing a perfect smile – it can impact how you speak, eat, look, hear, and feel. Having them when you need them can improve how you feel and act everyday.
Alternatively, Sonia Raeisi at Richmond Denture Clinic warns that not having dentures or having dentures that do not fit properly can result in harmful, and sometimes irreparable consequences that can effect your day-to-day activities. People can get headaches, experience ringing in the ears, bone loss and even digestive problems,” she said.
Raeisi has been a denturist since 2007, after graduating top of her class and receiving several awards and scholarships at Vancouver Community College. In addition to running a full service clinic, she provides denture services at Semiahmoo Dental Centre and Tsawwassen Family Dental. Raeisi also aids dental surgeons in the Lower Mainland and is an active member in the denturist community, formerly teaching future denturists at CDI College and serving on the Denturist Association of B.C.
Furthermore, she adds, “ill-fitting dentures can cause irritation and sores on the gums and hyperplasia.” According to National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) website, hyperplasia is an increase in the amount of cells in an organ or tissue. In this case, it is a product of the constant trauma on the mouth tissues caused by ill-fitting dentures. The new cells, according to NCI, are not cancer, though they can become cancerous.
Failing to get dentures at the right time can also impact your overall health. On top of bone loss, the lower jaw can become misaligned and move out of its proper position. In severe cases, Raeisi said, “denturists may not be able to put the lower jaw back into its proper position and the patient will have a harder time adjusting to new dentures because of the drastic jaw relationship.
On a final note, Raeisi spoke to the importance of seeing a denturist. Raeisi said that “denturists are specialized in the area,” meaning the procedures, treatments and aesthetics of the prosthesis are better off in the hands of a specialist.
To find out more about Richmond Denture Clinic, visit www.richmonddentureclinic.ca, call 604-273-4221, or email [email protected]. You can also find Richmond Denture Clinic on Facebook.
