Mandatory fitted mouthguards used for contact sports have improved sports at all levels, and for all ages. According to the Australian Dental Association (ADA), over-the-counter mouthguards do not provide the maximum level of protection necessary to avoid dental injuries. Whereas, custom-fitted mouthguards allow the accurate assessment of the individual’s mouth to gain a better fit. Custom-fitted mouthguards also help oxygen flow and unrestricted breathing during activities.

There are generally four (4) types of mouthguards popularly used today:




• Over-the-counter (non-fitted),
• “Boil-and-Bite” (heated and mouth-formed),
• Cut-off (covers front teeth only), and
• Custom-fitted (impressions made of the upper dental arch).

Other Purposes

Sports mouthguards are intended to protect the teeth, lips, gums, and arches. Custom mouthguards are also used in tooth bleaching and it has been extensively studied that not only do fitted mouthguards protect teeth from oral injury, but they also play a role in reducing concussive force impacts, via the mouth and jaw, to the brain.

Additionally, occlusal splints are custom-fitted mouthguards used to protect tooth and restored surfaces. Medically, they manage jaw (mandibular) dysfunction and stabilize jaw joints occulusion, as well as reduce TMD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction - extreme jaw pain and discomfort). 

Those prone to nocturnal teeth clenching, teeth grinding, or inner cheek biting may also find occlusal splints helpful.

Many custom occlusal splints for children are partial coverage plates made of soft, flexible acrylic, vinyl, or light composite materials. They are not made for their durability or intended to last a long time due to children’s rapid changes in growth. 

Processes

Unlike boil-and-bite mouthguards made of thermoplastic material that softens when heated and is fashioned in the mouth to the user’s bite impression, custom-fitted mouthguards are modeled from a dental putty cast impression, or using dental alginate in the dentist’s office. The impression is professionally made into a mouthguard at a lab. 

No two impressions are alike and it is assured the completed professionally formed mouthguard will fit properly and not loosen, rub, or shift inside the mouth over time and wear. Customized adjustments such as posterior thickness, for comfort, or alterations for easier speaking, may be made as necessary or upon request. 

Pressure laminated produced mouthguards are superior to vacuum formed ones. Vacuum formed custom mouthguards offer more protection than boil-and-bite guards. However, they are single layer and do not fit as securely in the mouth.

Custom made pressure laminated mouthguards are multi-layered and provide more protection and comfort, as well as a better fit.


It is important not only to have your mouthguard initially custom-fitted, but also to have it consistently checked to ensure it is fitting properly and is providing maximum protection.

Greg Sharman is your Dental Prosthetist in Franston offering custom-fit mouthguards and services. Other products and services Dr. Sharman provides, include: 

• Complete and Partial Dentures,
• Implant Retained Dentures,
• Denture Relines and Remodels,
• Denture Repairs while you wait, and
• Adjustments and Cleaning. 

We are located at 1b Wells Street in Frankston. For more information on products and services and to schedule an appointment, visit us at http://www.denturesfrankston.com.au. 

Too often dental care is put off until there is literally no other affordable alternative than dentures. However, dentures are not the solution for crooked teeth or severe non-repairable cavities. On the contrary, patients should know there is no substitute for good preventive dental care, because, as soon as the natural teeth are removed, the face will rapidly begin to age due to change in the bone structure over time. 

“Dentures” is a process. Several appointments are necessary after teeth extraction to have impressions made, any excess gum tissue removed, the wax try-in dentures fitted and adjusted if necessary, and finally, the actual insertion when the patient walks out of the office with new dentures and a bright smile. 

Denture Types

Dentures, or dental prosthesis, may be fixed or removable, full, partial, or implant. There are several types of dentures to suit the patient’s need:


• Immediate dentures are made ahead of time and placed as soon as the teeth are removed. Often the teeth are extracted and the denture fitted at the same appointment. The wearer will not be without teeth. Immediate dentures often become permanent dentures.

• Convectional dentures are placed as long as 8 - 12 weeks after teeth have been removed. 

• Standard / Overdentures (false teeth) are removable tooth replacements inserted over existing teeth, or what remains. Essentially these replace where natural teeth were with false teeth. Not everyone can successfully wear them. And healthy teeth that remain can eventually stabilize and undermine the full denture as a result. Overdentures are commonly used in conjunction with root canal procedures.

• Partial, or transitional, dentures are more comfortable and stable than a full denture. They may not be suitable for those with many stable and evenly-spaced natural teeth, however. Partial dentures are intended to fill gaps left by missing teeth, stabilize remaining loose teeth, and help prevent the remaining natural teeth from moving / changing position. 

• Mini implants are standard care for lower dentures. There is no 3 to 6 month waiting period like there is for standard implants. Lower jaw mini implants may be placed without any gum incision and old lower dentures can be retrofitted directly over the new implant so the denture may be used immediately. In fact, the entire procedure is estimated to take little more than one hour to complete. 

Denture Care

Dentures must be periodically checked, relined, or replaced to provide continued comfort, wear, and attractive smile. An annual exam is necessary to ensure the denture teeth are wearing evenly. Dentures worn too long can begin to change the facial muscles and appearance as well as how the patient manipulates their jaws. The bite may need to be adjusted to maintain equal contact and to avoid sores. If the teeth are looking or feeling worn, it may be time to get a new set made. Typically, dentures are replaced entirely every 4 to 8 years. 

Patients also need screened for oral cancer. This is particularly important for older patients and those that frequently use tobacco or alcohol.
When not wearing the dentures, they should always be kept in cool, never hot, water or denture solution. They can warp if they dry out. Brush the dentures daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Greg Sharman is your Dental Prosthetist specialist in Frankston offering, among other products and services, 

• Complete and Partial Dentures,
• Implant Retained Dentures,
• Denture Relines and Remodels,
• Denture Repairs while you wait, and
• Adjustments and Cleaning. 
• Custom Fitted Sports Mouthguards

We are located at 1b Wells Street in Frankston. For more information on products and services and to schedule an appointment, visit us at http://www.denturesfrankston.com.au. 

Unfortunately many people have the misconception that dentures last forever. However, dentures do not last forever and not replacing them when needed can cause numerous issues. Although it depends on an individual’s circumstance, as a good rule of thumb, dentures should be replaced about every 5-7 years. It is also important that dentures be replaced if they are worn or fit improperly to prevent problems. 

How to Tell if You Need New Dentures

Over the years your jaw, face and tissues change. Your dentures or prosthesis do not change. Since your dentures are composed of inflexible and unyielding material, they will not adapt to your physical body changes. Here are some of the ways signifying that you need to replace your dentures or have them checked: 

• Softening of mouth tissues
• Headaches, ear or neck pain
• Bone ridge reduction or loss
• You rarely wear your dentures
• Difficulty chewing certain foods
• Stomach and indigestion problems
• Irritated and sore gums or tissues
• Dentures have an odor or are discolored
• Dentures easily fall out when talking or laughing
• A change in facial features such as a sagging mouth or thinning lips

Since the changes happen slowly, signs that your dentures need to be replaced can easily go unnoticed. What is more, health and comfort are greatly compromised when poor fitting dentures are not replaced. 

It is also important that you have your dentures and mouth checked once a year. A low cost consultation for a thorough assessment of you dentures and oral health may prevent high cost issues in the future. As well, the detailed assessment can determine if new dentures are needed. 

Replacing your Dentures

You should never try to repair or adjust your dentures. Although you may think that repairing your own dentures will save money, you can cause permanent damage. In result, you will need to invest in a new set of dentures. In addition, self-assembly reliners can be unwieldy; and when reliners are large it can cause excessive pressure on the jaw and quick jawbone loss. Likewise, do it yourself bulky reliners can aggravate the soft tissues of the mouth.

Price and Product

When it comes to dentures, you pretty much get what you pay for. Lower priced dentures are made of low quality materials and can break easily. Moreover, cheaper dentures will last between ninety days and a couple of years. On the other hand, high quality dentures will last 5-7 years. 

Problems Associated with Ill-Fitting Dentures 

Not only are poor fitting dentures uncomfortable but they can cause other issues. For one, people who wear the same dentures for over 10 years oftentimes develop a prognathic bite. This is where the lower or upper jaw protrudes abnormally forward. Because the body changes, a prognathic bite is likely if the dentures are not replaced, regardless if they are porcelain teeth or acrylic. 

Another issue is bone loss, and as we all know, bone that is lost will never grow back. Therefore, it is imperative and vital for regular yearly checkups. That way you get an in depth assessment of your oral health, prevent possible diseases and replace your current dentures if necessary. 

When it comes to conventional dentures, most people do not wear them because they will not stay in place. In fact, keeping dentures secure is a common issue for many, especially in the lower jaw. And when dentures slip, it can be very embarrassing to say the least. What is more, loose dentures prevent you from eating the food that you desire. However, dentures can work the way should by stabilizing them with implant overdentures. In truth, implant overdentures offer the perfect solution to loose dentures by keeping them in place. As a result, you can eat in confidence knowing that your dentures will not slip. 

Implant Overdentures Overview 

Not only do implant overdentures offer all the benefits of conventional dentures but they provide outstanding stability and support. They fit comfortably over your remaining teeth or your denture implants. Unlike conventional dentures that are held with unreliable adhesives, implant overdentures are held into place with the use of dental attachments. The implant overdentures attachments offer absolute retention and increased functionality. They are composed of two working units; the denture cap that is located on the underside of the denture and the root post which is secured in the root. In place of the root post there is also an implant abutment which is threaded into the implant. 

The Benefits of Implant Overdentures

Aside from regaining back a quality of life, implant overdentures offer a wide array of benefits. Here are just a few: 

Both Upper and Lower Dentures will be More Comfortable 

Implant overdentures fit a lot more securely than adhesives. In addition, the comfortable fit will reduce or eliminate needless movement when you talk or chew. What is more, sores and the embarrassment of your dentures slipping embarrassing displacement, irritated gum tissue and sores are greatly reduced. 

No More Adhesives

Not only are adhesives rendered ineffective but they are quite messy. Implant overdentures gets rid of the need for adhesives and denture creams entirely. As well, not having to use adhesives will eliminate the inconvenience and high cost. 

Slows Down Bone Loss 

Regardless if your implant overdentures are attached to dental implants or your remaining teeth, it will stimulate your jaw bone when you chew. In result, the stimulation slows down and sometimes stops shrinkage (resorption) and bone loss. 

Supports Better Digestion and Health

Generally poor fitting dentures are held in by adhesives. However, implant overdentures make use of dental implants or the roots of remaining teeth and are much more stable than adhesives. With better stability you can chew your food more thoroughly. When your food is completely chewed your stomach breaks down food more proficiently, and thus absorbs more nutrients. As well, studies show that implant overdentures improve phonetics and your ability to speak. 

Helps Retain Facial Structure and Features

Shrinkage or resorption naturally occurs when the jaw is unhealthy or unstimulated. Over time, missing teeth can cause shrinkage between the nose and chin. This shrinking process can cause premature aging and make your face look “sunken-in”. Implant overdentures can control facial contour changes. 

A denture clinic provides denture related services directly to the public whereas a general Dentist treats natural dentition. 
A general Dentist can provide denture services to patients however typically the construction of any appliance is outsourced to a dental laboratory.

Greg Sharman is a highly qualified and experienced Advanced Dental Prosthetist and is registered with the Dental Board of Australia. He is licensed to provide custom made dentures to his patients without a referral from other dental professionals.

Greg has been a practising Prosthetist for more than 30 years and has earned a reputation that sees the majority of his new patients recommended either by other dental professionals or existing patients of the practice.

At Greg Sharman's Denture Clinic in Frankston we offer comprehensive denture solutions and ongoing denture care to ensure optimal appearance, fit and function of your denture. Whatever your denture needs, call Greg Sharman , Dental Prosthetist, to schedule an appointment to discuss how we can help you to achieve your best ever smile.