Living Life Ten Minutes At A Time

                                    Living Life Ten Minutes At A Time

                                                      F.Spiva Jr. CDT MDT CD

                                                            The Denture Pro.

 

    Every ten minutes someone is born, someone dies, and someone has a new reality. That reality happens because they don't remember the previous ten minutes, at least those with special health issues don't remember.

    The most common reason a person begins a new reality every ten minutes, is due to the disease called Alzheimer's. As that terrible memory robbing disease progresses, the person affected by it reaches a point in time when they live life ten minutes at a time. During that short ten minute life span they have all the same feelings they had when life was hours, day's, months and years at a time. They enjoy discussing everyday happenings about family, friends and general events. They enjoy discussing their reality, and their interests, concerns and opinions are as valid as any time in their past, and that is their reality.

    If you have a special loved one, family member or friend who is living life ten minutes at a time, are you helping them live that ten minutes to the fullest? All to often family and friends develop an indifferent attitude towards the person with Alzheimer's. They  to often see the person as mentally damaged to the point that they don't deserve having their ten minutes of reality taken seriously. They will often just isolate them from conversations and ignore them at family or group gatherings.

    Do you have a loved one, family member or friend you have grown to ignore due to their Alzheimer's? Do you dismiss their desire to be part of a conversation or have an ability to express an opinion? Have you limited your contact with them? Have you actually stopped seeing them at all? Do you not realize that by limiting your contact with them your actually assisting the Alzheimer disease, helping it to advance more quickly? 

    While there is no known cure for Alzheimer's, stimulating the brain helps slow it's progress. You can be the stimulation that keeps the disease at bay for an additional  week, a month or possibly a year. "Or"..you can be indifferent and ignore the person and possibly assist the quicker onset of the memory loss.

    When you get frustrated over answering the same question more than once in ten minutes, remember, it's a different time span to them , I suspect you get frustrated at hearing the same story more than once, and I suspect that you get frustrated at hearing an opinion that doesn't quite make sense (even though you have no doubt had some of your own opinions become suspect at times). Let me ask you this, how would they treat you were the circumstances reversed? Would they make your ten minutes of reality special and a quality experience?

    Now go and live your life, enjoy every Ten Minutes you are privileged to live it disease free.....and if you find you can spare ten minutes to make someone else's ten minutes special, I hope you will, it can be a life time experience for them. Don't suddenly find yourself wishing you had taken that short ten minutes to be with that person regardless of their inability to recall you were their...Don't suddenly find yourself reading their obituary and unable to recall your last visit with them.

    How many "Ten Minutes" did they give you in their life time? How many "Ten Minutes" did they spend listening to your troubles? How many "Ten Minutes" did they sit by your bed side when you had health issues? How many "Ten Minutes" did they spend with you because YOU was simply important to them?

    The short time it took you to read this could be a Life Time experience for someone who needs your love and caring, can you spare Ten Minutes?

Failure To Launch As A Christian

Failure To Launch As A Christian

 

    Failing to Launch as a Christian means, a person who has accepted the Lord as their savior, and feels the need to make that commitment known to every one they meet, in a manner that distracts from how a Christian should project. They get so caught up in their self sanctity they fail to Launch as a true Christian by following God's instructions regarding witnessing and presenting themselves as an example that entices others to want to be a Christian.

 

    Instead of Launching into being an example and witnessing in a manner that glorify's the savior and presents his edicts as a wonderful way to live ones life with purpose and responsibility, they "Launch" into, as I said, self sanctity, which in no way represents the lifestyle that makes others eager to become a Christian. Instead, their self sanctity presents a picture of someone who is engulfed in a life style that leaves no opening or place for the exchange of everyday ideas, conversation about events that are not pre-qualified as having a religious context, or just being an ordinary person with opinions, desires and aspirations based on our God given right to think, feel and make choices as everyday human beings.

 

    How many times have you talked to, or corresponded with someone, who either begins or ends every statement with a reference to God himself, or words that reference a religious context.? Christianity, in my opinion, must be lived and presented to others as a, if you will, a smorgasbord of possibilities. Not every Christian is destined to be a minister, a Sunday school teacher, a youth director, a choir director or an exceedingly verbally talented teller of his or her conversion.

 

Now, I'm not saying that you have to be a Dale Carnegie in order to witness, but even Dale Carnegie didn't attempt to immediately enroll every person he came in contact with in one of his self improvement classes. Can you imagine how difficult that would be when attempting to tell the auto mechanic what your car was or was not doing, or informing your doctor what your symptoms were? Remember the old saying, "a place for everything, and everything in it's place? " Apply that to your Christianity and like the other old saying about the ease of drawing bees to honey will make your attempts in influencing others far more successful.

 

    So, avoid failing to launch your Christianity. Your life style is the greatest witness you can show others. Have you ever heard the saying, "me thinks you protest to much?", meaning that doing so makes your integrity questionable. Apply that to your Christianity, only in reverse, over expressing your Christianity verbally can call into question your varsity and true conversion.

 

    Now for those of you whom I have stepped on your sensitive steeped in the word toes, relax, your safe. No one is doubting your dedication or conversion, but some may question your need to begin and end every greeting or conversation with a "Blessing", or similar pronouncement. While Missouri may be the "Show Me" state, apply that to your Christianity, Show who your are and what you believe through deeds, words last only a second, deeds can last for a lifetime. Introduce others to your Christianity through caring words, but demonstrate the meaning of those words with longer lasting deeds.

 

May the Lord bless each and every one of you.

 

 

 

The Power Of "STUFF"

The Power Of STUFF

    by; Floyd Spiva Jr.

   fspivajr@aol.com

   Copyright-2009

 

    Your Stuff, my Stuff, her Stuff or his Stuff. Seldom will you ever find anything on a person's body, in their home, their car or a secret hiding place that means more to them on a deep personal basis than their "Stuff". Stuff, as a rule, defines who they are, who they want to be and what they have been or achieved.

 

    I would defy you to explicitly describe or exactly define what comprises, "Stuff". Is it animal, vegetable, mineral, or a combination of all three? Most likely it's all of those. Some a mixture, others not. Size, shape, texture and use will vary greatly, depending on a number of criteria. The reason you can't specifically describe or define "Stuff",  is because there is no specific criteria that an object or thing must meet to be correctly defined as being honest to goodness "Stuff". When it comes to Stuff, the old adage, "One person's junk is another's treasure", totally applies.

 

    So, why do I say that Stuff has power? I say so from both personal experience and observation of others. A persons age, gender, social standing or level of education, plays no part in identifying what constitutes real identifiable Stuff and who is justified in having, owning or cherishing their Stuff. The sad fact is that we, as a society, have ignored the importance of Stuff. We as parents, children, grandchildren, friends or just strangers have miserably failed to recognize that Stuff can often be the difference in a person feeling loved, wanted, respected, successful or understood.

 

    This type of discrimination is usually carried out against the elderly, the people who have, in someone's opinion, wrongly or foolishly kept things that weren't important. Items that had no obvious intrinsic value, things that quiet possibly you wouldn't let near your home or private place of solitude. No indeed, why in the world would anyone want to keep such old, outdated, oddball, long past it's usefulness objects? Especially why would anyone in their "right mind" want to pack away or place in an out of the way place, "junk", I would have trashed months if not years ago.....The answer is, "because it's "their" STUFF".

 

    Like overhead circling vultures, family, friends and anyone who can take part, descends on the homes of those who, for what ever reason, find it necessary to relocate or change their lifestyle. Most often for the elderly it's health issues that creates a need to alter their lifestyle....When that happens the vultures descend and begin deciding what the affected person can keep and what is "junk" they have no earthly use for... That is when the emotional damage besets the person or persons being affected. Those making the decisions about what is kept, what is "junked", or what is taken home by someone else, has little appreciation or understanding about what comprises cherished "STUFF". They have no concept or realization of The Power of Stuff.

 

    "STUFF" are those items that may have no importance to others, but holds cherished memories of the past for the owner. Stuff may be an odd object that connects a past relationship. Stuff may be only a child's worn or even broken toy, or Stuff may be some nondescript item that represents an important period of success. Stuff may be an insignificant piece of something or object that ties one's past and present together in a special bond. Stuff can be a Bible, a photo, a piece of furniture or just a keepsake, or even an old tool. Stuff is a person's life history, hopes, desires and very often the key to emotional stability. Take away their Stuff, and you may be taking away their reason for continuing to exist.

 

    If you have a parent, a grandparent, other relative or just a close friend who has reached a point in time where their lifestyle needs to be altered in some manner, keep in mind that what ever the reason for change, their overall well being and health issues are at stake. Unnecessary taking away of their STUFF may have a more lasting emotional affect on them than anything else they experience. Be very selective about removing their Stuff from them. Great memories is like Stuff in a box, as long as they exist life will be far more robust and easier to achieve on a comfortable level....... That's, The Power of Stuff.

 

 

 

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FLAT GUMS

For those of you who have asked about FLAT GUMS and if dentures can be made to work with them....look through my Blogs and you will find my article on Flat Gums and the kind of denture teeth I have found that works best with that condition. If you want to correspond with me directly, write me at:
<thedenturepro@aol.com>

Where and How Do I Find A Good Denture Maker

Finding the kind of denture maker you want to deal with is an enormous undertaking. First you want one who is capable of actually making dentures with their own hands. Dental professionals who only "sell" dentures, like 99% of practicing Dentist's, are at a disadvantage do to their lack of denture creation training. Since the late 1950's Dental Colleges ceased to require dental students to hands on learn how to create dentures. That is one reason Dental licensing boards do not require a person testing for a License to practice Dentistry to actually make a denture as part of the licensing exam...Denturist's, who are not dentist, but are trained to be denture specialist, are required to actually create a denture for a live patient as part of their licensing exam...and that of course is because the testing Board knows that Denturist have extensive training and education in hand crafting the highest quality dentures possible and do so direct for and to the patient. There are no middle men between the Denturist and the patient.
Now, one place to search for a place to get good dentures ( when your state doesn't have licensed Denturist's), is to ask a Dental Technician who creates dentures for Dentist. Dental Technicians provide their services through a Dental Laboratory. Dentist's send denture impressions to the dental Laboratory with instructions that tell the Dental Technician the size, shape and color of denture teeth to be used...The Dentist also sends what is called a "Bite Registration"...which is made of wax and is intended to be used by the Technician to properly position the plaster models of the patients gums on an artificial metal jaw. This artificial jaw holds the models in what is supposed to be the proper jaw alignment of the patient as dictated by the "Bite Registration" the dentist has provided.....If however the Bite Registration in not accurate the dentures will be out of alignment and will not function properly or look right.
So, look up a the list of Dental Laboratories in your phone book. Call at least five in your area. When they answer the first thing you say is that you know they are not allowed to make dentures for the public and that isn't what your calling about...What you would like is their help in finding a dentist or denture maker who they consider the best they make dentures for. And that you understand that they create dentures for Dentist and know who they would send their mother or father to if necessary.
Now, not all Lab Technicians will talk to you as they will fear that one of their dentist customers is having you check to see if they recommend them, and if they don't they might lose the dentist as a customer...Other Lab Tech's will talk to you and they should feel good about telling you who they would recommend....Also, I suggest you go to the Internet site in your state that list complaints and ratings of licensed dentist....You can also ask the Better Business Bureau if they have had complaints about any dentist you may be considering...and if the state your in has licensed Denturist's, you can secure the same information regarding them.
If you have a new set of dentures that your unhappy with, and the person you bought them from is not showing an interest in making you happy or correcting an obvious mistake you see with the dentures, you can do the following. (1) You go to another denture provider and get an evaluation of the dentures your unhappy with...When you make that appointment, "DO NOT" say your unhappy with another denture maker and you want to see what's wrong with your dentures...NO NO No...you only tell the receptionist that your dentures have been bothering you and you would like to have them looked at to see what you can do to get them to feel right,look right and work right. It's also a good idea to take a friend or mate along to listen to the evaluation....If the evaluation is that the dentures are made wrong, get the finding in writing if possible. Then you can confront the original denture maker who you paid. If he or she declines to make things right by making new dentures or giving you a refund, you then file a complaint with the State Dental Board.
When you file a complaint with the State Dental Board they will ask the dental "Peer Review Board" to assign a neutral dentist to examine and evaluate your complaint by examining the dentures. If he or she agrees with your complaint, the Peer review Board has the power to require the original dentist to do one of three things, (Remake the dentures)...(Pay another dentist to make you new ones) or (Give you a refund)...Of course you always have the right to hire an attorney and file an action against the original dentist.
One caution I would like you to adhere to..."Do Not" judge a dentist or denture maker "only" by what someone else tells you about the dentures they got from one. People and their mouths are like fingerprints, no two are alike. Every denture is a one of a kind, and just because someone else had great success or poor success with theirs, doesn't mean your going to get the same. Dentures can be made wrong and dentures can be made right. People can be right and people can be wrong...meaning their are some people the good Lord couldn't make dentures they would be happy with. People with emotional stress issues seldom ever find happiness with dentures until they deal with what ever it is that's causing their emotional stress issues...If they are gritters and grinders, it's not the dentures fault, they have stress issues. I have written an article on that issue called, "EDS" Emotional Demure Stress"....it's worth reading. If you need to asked additional questions contact me at: thedenturepro@aol.com  
F.Spiva Jr. CDT MDT CD (The Denture Pro.)

WHO actually makes Dentures and WHO doesn't?

Are you one of those people WHO thinks that Dentists actually make the dentures they "sell" to the public? If you do believe that, guess what, your "wrong". Back in the late 1950's the (ADA) American Dental Association gave permission to Dental Schools to cease requiring dental students to "hands on" learn how to make dental appliances,"Dentures". They had Dental Labs as a captive work force who could only work for them, or no one.
The ADA had allowed State Dental Boards to open up their Dental Acts and add legislation changes that for the first time acknowledged the existence of Dental Technicians and Dental Laboratories. Both had been providing services to the dental profession for some 100 years but had never been recognized as legally existing. Prior to that recognition they were simply referred to as "Non-Dentists". Organized Dentistry had for all those years attempted to conceal their existence from the public fearing they would provide competition for dentist should the public learn the Lab Techs were who actually created the dentures the dentists "sold" to the public....and of course dentistry would fearful the public would find out the high margin of profit the dentists was making from denture sales.
Once the State's opened up the Dental Act's to insert new legislation that would identify who Dental Labs were and who Dental Technicians were and what services they provided, the legislation was written in a way to place the Lab and the Technician under the legal thumb of the State Dental Board. That placement included stiff fines and possible imprisonment should any Lab or Technician be caught providing denture services directly to the public...However, no fines, imprisonment or legal action of any kind was to be taken against any member of the public who sought the services of a Dental Lab or it's Technician.
The Dental Lab was required to have in it's place of business a "Dental Laboratory Work Authorization Form" attached to each dental appliance in it's Lab, signed by a  licensed dentist, or face legal action. When the new dental regulations were being written into the old act there was much discussion as to what to call the new written order to allow a Lab Tech to create a dental appliance. Pharmacist were given a "Prescription", but organized dentistry saw that identification as providing a level of professionalism to a Dental Lab and it's Technicians that it didn't want the public to think they were entitled to. Again, organized dentistry was attempting to eliminate any chance of having to compete with the dental technician in the health care market place. Given that dental students were no longer required to learn how to make dentures and were graduated without knowing how, there was no way they could compete with the Technician who was educated and trained to hands on create all" the various dental appliances organized dentistry "sold" to it's customers. Through out the industry it was well known that on average for every dollar the dentist paid the Technician to create an appliance the patient was then charged 500 to 1000 percent over that Lab fee. Even today in the 2000 era those same fee ranges still apply. The Lab provides 90% of the labor and supplies required to create a dental appliance, the dentist has only 10% invested in office supplies and very little labor. Many dental offices now turn the required dental office procedures required to make a denture over to office staff who have "no" technical denture training.
So what is the answer to the fact that millions of Americans on limited incomes or living in poverty are not able to afford the much needed dental appliances required to help them maintain a healthy diet? The answer to that has been recognized for many many years by other countries.Our close neighbor Canada put the answer in place over 50 years ago. The answer is Trained, Educated, Regulated and Licensed "DENTURIST'S"...
"Denturist's" are individuals who's education and hands on training ranges for dental office procedures, examinations, health issues recognition, advanced dental laboratory training and fully competent Denturist to Patient provided denture services.....AND....at a reduced cost when compared to the fees dentist's charge for like services....with one very large exception, every Denturist is a denture "Specialist".
Because Organized Dentistry, has very deep financial pockets and can use political dollars to influence legislators, all but six states have legislation on the books that give Dentist a "legislated' Monopoly allowing them to be the only place a citizen in that state can legally purchase a Denture. That Monopoly also provides the dentist with the ability to stack the financial deck against the citizen and charge outrageous fees. Organized Dentistry has used it's deep pockets in an attempt to stop "Denturist" from being licensed in every state..however, through the Initiative Process, which political deep pockets can't control, Denturist legislation was placed on the general ballot and the public mandated through record setting votes that Denturist be recognized and licensed.
The Federal Trade Commission some years back did a study and determined that Denturist were safe, capable and competitive and should be allowed to practice. The "ADA" used political power to gag the FTC and place FTC employees jobs in danger if they attempted to pursue licensing of Denturist. That was over 20 years ago and the Gag appears to still be in place.
Denturist education and training is approximately five times that of any dental school training ever required of dental students and still is....Consider this, States that license Denturist requires each Denturist applicant that takes the State Licensing Exam to actually create dentures as part of the exam to get their license..On the other hand, a Dentist applicant who takes the board exam for a dental license is not required to make a denture to prove he or she can...and that's because the Board already knows the dental applicant doesn't have the training or ability to create a denture with their own hands.
Because dentistry has learned that cost is a major factor in trying to make denture services available to a broader area of the population and that competition makes that even more difficult for them....their answer has been to provide cheaper dentures at a faster rate...A good idea but you will note I said "cheaper" and "faster"....You get cheaper by using cheap materials and you get faster by using materials that most all well trained Denturist and Lab Techs will tell you, they would "not" use on themselves or family.
So how do you get involved in bringing Denturist denture specialist to your state and town that will bring exceptional talent, exceptional dentures, exceptional training and fair fees? Let me suggest that you contact the National Denturist Association at:  ndausadenturist@hotmail.com. The NDA will give you advice and help you plan a Denturist movement in your state.

If you have questions about this information please contact me: thedenturepro@aol.com
F.Spiva Jr.CDT MDT CD
The Denture Pro.

How OLD are your Dentures ???

HOW LONG DO DENTURES LAST ?

By: The Denture Pro.

Copyrighted Material

<thedenturepro@aol.com>

Given the cost of dental appliances in general they are a bargain when compared to other artificial body part replacements. Eye glasses are expected to be out dated with in two to three years. Pace makers are in general expected to be replaced between eight and ten years. Hearing aids three to five years. Dental appliances on the other hand are expected to have a life expectancy of at least twenty years (by the public). Dental operative procedures such as filings,root canals and crowns are expected last for a lifetime......those of us in the dental health field know that those expectations are unreasonable and for the most part will never be realized.

The average lifetime of a fully and properly functioning denture is between "five" and "seven" years. This time frame can be altered by health problems, mental stress and or the loss of body weight......We know that a sudden illness such as the "flu" can cause a person to loose weight quickly. If as little as 2% of the bodies weight is lost, in say three to five days, it can cause a denture to fit differently than prior to the weight loss. If the person looses a great deal more than the 2%, say 6% to 10% in a short period, most dentures will fit vastly different. Large amounts of weight loss, such as on an extended diet will also cause the gums to change a great deal. When the gums shrink, regardless of the cause, they never return to their previous size and shape.

SO...what’s the answer to the above? If the dentures are relatively new and the changes in the gums have ceased the dentures can be refitted by a process called "Relining". If on the other hand the dentures are five years old or older the smart thing to do is to replace them. Older dentures have worn denture teeth and more than likely the jaws have become over closed. These are problems that "Relining" will not correct.

If jaws are allowed to become to over closed there is a risk that damage will occur to the jaw joint. The area for this is often called "temporomandibular joint ", (TMJ) this joint is created where the lower jaw connects to the skull. At the top of the lower jaw bone on either side, the top forms a rounded almost ball like shape called the "Condyle" this top end of the lower jaw fits into a depression in the skull bone called the "fosse". The Fosse is shaped somewhat like the palm of your hand when it’s cupped. When the lower jaw opens and closes the Condyles move in the fosse like a ball joint.

When the jaw is allowed to over close some people begin to experience sever pain in the jaw joint. One of the worst reasons for the pain is when the lower jaw bone and the skull bone come into direct contact. The "fosse" in the skull bone is covered with a thin layer of skin. This layer of skin is very very slippery and it’s slippery surface provides the lubricated like surface for the "condyle" to slide back and forth on. If the lower jaw gets out of alignment due to an over closed jaw joint, it’s possible for that thin layer of fosse skin to get a hole worn through it allowing bone to bone contact.....and that is very painful. In some patients the pain is so great that they can not open their jaws enough to even get food into the mouth....The remedy for this situation is a surgical procedure in which an artificial lining is inserted into the fosse.

If on the other hand the fosse skin layer only detached at the edge of the fosse and gathered up in the fosse like a sock in a shoe, the surgical procedure will be to attempt to reattach the skin to the fosse rim. In either case the situation could have been avoided by having a yearly examination to determine the alignment of the jaws and the condition of the dental appliance or appliances.

Below are observations you can make to determine if you are in need of a "TMJ" exam and possible replacement of existing dental appliances.

1....When the jaws are closed shut and the lower front teeth are in front of the upper front teeth.

2....The lips are no longer full and are now thin with out much surface exposed.

3....The corners of the mouth form an upside down smile line.

4....Deep creases have formed from the sides of the nose down to the outside corners of the upper lip.

5....When you smile, little to no teeth are visible. (Check this against an old photograph when you had your natural teeth) and don’t let anyone tell you that because your a senior citizen you can’t show teeth and have a good smile line. Telling you that is almost always a cop out and an attempt to avoid responsibility for an error in establishing the proper jaw relationship when the dental appliance was constructed.

If you have any questions regarding this material or information please contact The Denture Pro. at <thedenturepro@aol.com>

The Denture Pro.

F.Spiva Jr. CDT MDT CD

Will You Ever "LIVE" in the "MOMENT"?

 

 

                    Living In The Moment  

                                         By: Floyd Spiva jr. CDT MDT CD

                                                     Copyright 2011

 

    When was the last time you had one of those special times that can be identified as, "Living In The Moment"? I know that some of you are now wrinkling your brow and thinking, what the heck is living in the moment, and probably saying to yourself, I doubt I have ever done that, what ever it is. The reality is that you have a "Living in the Moment" experience numerous times everyday, "IF" your lucky.

 

    Let's identify a few "Living In The Moment" experiences. How about that great meal you had. The food was cooked just right and tasted better then you expected. You probably told someone who was with you that the meal was better than you expected...a real "moment" of pleasure. Then how about when you signed the papers that made that new car you had been wanting finally your's ?, that had to be a great moment. That feeling can't happen again. "Living in the Moment" experiences come one at a time.

 

    Are there other living in the moment experiences you might ask, there certainly are. How about the time the Dr. looked up as the birth took place and said, "your baby is perfect"...was that not a living in the moment experience? You have no way of putting a price on those kinds of Moments?  When that baby took it's first step or spoke the words Daddy or Mommy for the first time...those were "Living In The Moment" happenings you never ever forget.

 

    How many examples of living in the moment can you now remember? I know your memory banks are spinning and tossing out example after example. A wedding day, a birthday, a graduation, a job promotion, or a reunion with a friend or family member you haven't seen in years. All are once in a lifetime examples of "Living in the moment".

 

    Now, tell me, when do we stop having living in the moment experiences? The answer is "never". We have a living in the moment experience every day we take a breath of life. Those moments may or may not be ones we Hi-lite and store in our memory banks as "special". No, not all moments are earth shaking, or highly life changing, but they nevertheless are what makes life worth living....Without both ordinary and special living in the moment happenings on a daily basis, I have no doubt you would quickly agree, life didn't provide much incentive to live it over and over again on a daily basis.

 

    Guess what, there are thousands and thousands of people who are being denied the opportunity to have a daily or even weekly " Living In The Moment" experience. At least not one that provides special meaning and happiness....Who are those people you may ask. One could be your mother, or father, or grand mother, or grand father.

 

    If anyone of them are being ignored because of some illness or disease that grossly limits their ability to be self sufficient in any way, chances are they are being denied the opportunity to have a "special moment" on a monthly basis, much less daily. This unfortunately is an issue our senor citizens are faced with on a greater scale than most people realize. They get ignored by everyone from family, to friends, to care takers, to even health professionals. When people suffer from an illness that affects memory or limits physical ability, they to often become seen as to much trouble to spend time with, and besides, it's not fun and interesting to "me"...and after all, they won't remember it anyway. Won't remember it anyway !!!!  How about having some compassion and allowing that person to have an opportunity to "Live In The Moment". It only takes a Moment of your selfish time.

 

    Living in the moment doesn't require an elephants capability to remember for years, or even the ability to remember the moment tomorrow..."TODAY"..this "moment" is what's important. Have you provided someone with an opportunity to "Live In The Moment" today? Will you provide that opportunity tomorrow, next week or next month? Is the person who needs that special moment, needing it because having it with "you" is what makes it special? Do you understand that a special moment may be nothing more than a phone call, a visit, or being invited to a get together, even though they may only be able to sit and talk to whom ever will take the time to talk with them. In many cases a special moment is just the fact they are present with those they spent years loving and caring for. They may not remember it tomorrow, but today, they enjoyed "Living In The Moment".

 

    I hope "you" have many "Living In The Moment" experiences as you age. Most of all I hope they never cease just because you reach senior citizen status. If you become memory challenged, or have another debilitating illness, I pray you are not denied the thrill of having your "Living In The Moment" experience on a daily basis provided by friends and loved ones. "Now", who do you owe a "Moment" to?

 

What High Octane Fuel Runs Your Teeth Like A Car?

Think About This

 

What makes your car run, an airplane to fly, your home to stay warm, your food to cook, and your body to function? The answer is "Fuel". None of those things can function without "fuel'. What's more, not just any kind of fuel is acceptable, each must have a fuel designed to help it operate at maximum efficiency. Put the wrong fuel in and they will fail to function properly and will eventually fail altogether.

 

Your body needs not just fuel, but proper fuel. Like the automobile or the airplane, the fuel must be of a proper consistency that it can produce maximum efficiency. The fuel you put into your body also requires it provide maximum efficiency....The question now is, what Does that have to do with "TEETH". Your teeth, you might say, is much like the carburetor on a cars engine. As the fuel passes into the carburetor it is properly mixed and prepared to provide maximum power when it enters the cylinders of the engine and is ignited by the spark plugs or what ever ignition source is used.

 

The food you eat must be properly prepared to provide maximum efficiency to your body and that preparation begins in your mouth. Your teeth, like the carburetor, mixes and prepares the food for assimilation into your bodies processing system. If you can't chew the food properly, it can't be properly assimilated.

 

If you have infected teeth by way of abscess or decay, your allowing those teeth to dump infection directly into your blood stream and that hinders the nutrition you take in to be used to service your entire body. If you have missing teeth, you can't properly pre-process the food. Due to missing teeth you will automatically gravitate to softer less health foods because they don't require teeth to chew them.

 

Do you have what it takes to fuel your body? Are you eating quality foods and chewing them properly? Medication cannot totally heal or keep your body in a complete healthy state unless you provide it with the properly prepared fuel...See your dental professional and find out if you have what it takes to properly fuel your body.

 

The Denture Pro.

Floyd Spiva Jr. CDT MDT CD

 

Wavy Grooves and Ridges on Your Mouths Roof

                       Wavy Ridges On The Roof Of The Mouth

                               Floyd Spiva Jr. CDT MDT CD

                                        The Denture Pro.

 

Did you know that Upper dentures that have a slick finish to the front half of the tongue side or roof of a denture can contribute to speech issues such as whistling when you speak?

 

If you rub the tip of your tongue gently over the roof of you mouth behind the upper teeth you will feel an uneven surface...If you saw a copy of that surface in plaster you would see that their are wavy ridges that extend from side to side of the roof and as far back as the first Molar tooth....Those wavy ridges break up the flow of air when you speak and help prevent a whistling sound.

 

Upper dentures that truly duplicae the natural surfaces of the gums will duplicate both the ridge of the gums as well as the wavy ridges on the outside of the denture roof.

Recipe For A Successful Dental Appliance

RECIPE FOR A SUCCESSFUL DENTAL APPLIANCE

                             Floyd Spiva Jr. CDT MDT CD

                                     The Denture Pro.

(1)...A patient without emotional issues.

(2)...A patient in good health.

(3)...A dental professional who is talented at the required

       steps necessary to create a dental appliance.

(4)...Complete dental examination followed by correcting

        any adverse dental issue found.

(5)...Precise dental impressions of oral structures.

(6)...Precise recording of the jaws relationships as it

       applies to proper lateral position and vertical distance

       between them in a balanced position.

(7)...Successful "Trying In" of the intended dental

        appliance prior to final finish and delivery.

(8)...Patient approval of the "Try In" with regard to the

       appearance of the appliance and any other issue

       requiring explanation or change.

(9)...Re "Try In" for patients final approval if changes were

       required from the initial "Try In".

(10) Upon delivery of a "removable" appliance, the patient

       should be scheduled for a follow up check up within

       24 to 72 hours.

(11) Appliances which are defined as "Immediate's",such

       as those immediately placed in the mouth following

       extractions, should be provided additional treatment

       procedures over the healing period to insure the best

       possible fit and function...One such treatment plan is

       the "Temporary Soft Liner Treatment Series".

(12) Patients need to be told that any extraction site

       will require five to six months to heal and the site will

       change in size and shape during the healing period.

       Immediate Denture patients must be told that their

       new dentures will most likely cease to fit and function

       well within in three to ten day's following extractions

       and denture insertion.

(13) Temporary Soft Liner treatment should begin by the

        fourth week following extractions and continued

        through the fifth to sixth month and then the denture

        or dentures must be refitted with denture plastic.Or,

        the dentures replaced with new dentures created

        from new precise impressions and jaw relationship

        recordings taken no sooner than the fifth or sixth

        month following extractions to insure a proper fit

        and function.

"The Five Phases" of learning to wear a new or refitted Dental Appliance

THE FIVE PHASES

by: The Denture Pro.

Floyd Spiva Jr. CDT MDT CD

Copyrighted Material-1999

thedenturepro@aol.com

　

"The Five Phases" are the phases that every Denture Wearer is guaranteed to experience when they get "new" or "replacement" denture appliances.

However, when you get replacements, you should take less time to go through The Five Phases than a "new" denture wearer will.

Phase (1)

"The Inspection Phase"

When a new or replacement denture appliance is placed in the mouth, it touches the oral tissues and structures differently than those tissues or structures are accustomed to.

The inspection response will be that the Tongue, Cheeks and Lips will examine the object that has been placed into the mouth.

Phase (2)

"The Saliva Phase"

Because the new or replacement denture appliance touches the oral tissues differently than what the tissue recognizes, it reacts as though the appliance is something to eat and sends a signal to the brain to get the saliva flowing to aid in digestion.

The saliva will diminish as the oral structures accept the appliance as a permanent part of the oral make up. With a "new" appliance the acceptance may take a bit longer, two to three weeks.

Phase (3)

"The Adaptation Phase"

How many times have you or someone you know removed their eye glasses and you notice the imprint on both sides of the nose, the imprints left by the nose pads? Thats adaptation.

Gum tissues slowly adapt to the inside surfaces of the denture appliance. Any place that the tissue is thin over the gum bone, you are likely to have a tender spot. That spot will need to be relieved by adjusting the appliance.

Phase (4)

"The Rejection Phase"

This phase is most noticeable to new denture appliance wearers or denture replacements that are very different in shape and size from those worn before.

The oral structures that have read the denture appliance as something to eat and not accepted it as a permanent addition to the mouth, often sends the patient a signal that say’s, "Look, if your not going to eat this, get rid of it, were tired of having it around". However, that too will pass in time, usually within two to three weeks. "But", the appliances must be worn at least ten to eleven hours a day during that period of time.

Phase (5)

"The Learning Phase"

You didn’t learn to ride a bicycle perfectly the first time you tried, nor did you drive like a pro the first time you got behind the wheel. You had to learn how to operate those vehicles.

Just as with the bike and the car, you must learn how to operate and use a denture appliance. They just don’t automatically work just because they are placed between your nose and chin. The learning process depends on your dedication and determination to master them.

Do not make the classic mistake of comparing your denture appliance fit and function to someone else’s. Mouths and people are like fingerprints, no two are alike. To play the comparison game can make your personal experience a failure more often than a success.

Please Be Advised

"THE FIVE PHASES" is a copyright product of the "Denture Pro." Copying or distribution is prohibited unless written permission is granted by the author

                 The Temporary Soft Liner Series For Dentures

                                                             F.Spiva Jr,. CDT MDT CD

                                                              Revised Copyright 2009

 

    The Temporary Soft Liner Treatment Series is a system used to protect, cushion and stimulate the healing process of gum tissues. In some cases the Soft Liner is also intended to refit a dental appliance as it performs the other services.

    There are three instances when the Soft Liner Series is the best way to proceed. One is when the gum tissues under a dental appliance has become irritated and sore do to an ill fitting dental appliance.The soft liner material is applied over the inside of the appliance in a honey like consistency. As the appliance is seated in the mouth, the liner spreads out and creates a new fit and a cushion over the gum surface, eliminating pressure points. With the liner in place the tissues can heal. Once healed the appliance can be replaced or refitted with permanent material....In most cases the liner will have to be resurfaced about every two weeks until total healing has taken place.

    Another reason to use the Soft Liner Series is when a person has had all their teeth extracted and "Immediate Dentures" put in place. About two to three weeks following extractions, the gums will begin to have gone through changes in both the size and shape of the gum tissue and underlying bone. This change will be shrinkage making the denture loose. Because these changes take place on a continuing basis, the denture can cause abrasions to the gum tissue and allow the jaws to end up in a mis-aligned position unless the soft liner is used to prevent it.

    When the Temporary Soft Liner is used in Immediate dentures it needs to be serviced every three to five weeks during the healing period. The liner will keep the denture cushioned , fitting and properly aligned. Once healing has been achieved (5 to 6 months)the denture can be refitted by relining with a permanent material.

    An older ill fitting denture can cause the bone to shrink away leaving soft flabby tissue. This type of tissue will not allow a replacement denture or relined denture to achieve a suction fit....Getting a denture to suction on to soft flabby tissue would be like trying to get a plumbers plunger to suction on to a mattress or carpet. By using the temporary soft liner treatment series in the older ill fitting denture, the tissue can actually be firmed up and the denture replaced or refitted. HOWEVER...if the flabby tissue is excessively thick, the series will not work, and in such cases surgery is required to remove the excess tissue.

    Now, no doubt cost will be a factor to some degree so let me tell you that the major expense is labor. The material it self will cost about $5.00 per application...Adding a new layer should not take over fifteen minutes. In some cases it's necessary to remove the existing liner and place new material in it's place, that will require more time...On average given today's fee schedules and actual material and labor cost, I would anticipate an average complete series should be an additional cost of $150.00 maximum.

    If you have questions about the soft liner series or any other dental issue, feel free to contact:<thedenturepro@aol.com>

                                  “Immediate Dentures”

                                              The Denture Pro.

 

What Are Immediate Dentures?1....They are dentures that are “immediately” placed into the mouth when the last natural
tooth is extracted.

 

Are “Immediate Dentures” A Good Idea?1....They are a very good idea. They provide stability in jaw relationships during the
healing process.
2....They cover the extraction sites and provide,if you will, a plastic bandage affect.
3....The likelihood of getting a dry socket is all but removed.
4....The healing period is usually quicker and with less trauma.

 

What Is The Average Healing Period?1....The average healing period following extraction’s is between 5 and 6 months.
2....Health problems such as Diabetes can slow the process however.

 

Is There A follow Up Procedure”?1....At approximately 2 to 3 weeks following the extraction’s I always recommend that the
“Temporary Soft Liner Procedure” be instigated.

 

What Is The Temporary Soft Liner Procedure?1....A layer of temporary soft liner is placed inside of the immediate denture. The soft liner
material flows over the inside surface of the denture filling in any place that the gums have
shrunk away do the the healing process.
2....The liner performs three basic functions. It refits the denture. It provides a degree of
comfort. It helps maintain the jaw relationship that was established when the dentures
were created.

 

How Often Should The Liner Be Placed?1...The first layer of liner should be placed by the second or third week.
2....Follow up liners should be placed every three to four weeks following the first
placement.
3....Once the basic healing has taken place, 4 to 6 months, the immediate dentures should
be Dental Laboratory Relined.

 

What Happens If “NO” Follow Up Procedure Is Taken?1....As the gums heal they shrink. They change in shape and size. The shrinking allows the dentures to change position .
2....The  Denture edges are usually the first areas that begin to dig in and cause sore spots.
3....If the edges are continually cut off to rid sore spots, by the time the gums heal the jaws
will have over closed. The chin and nose will be closer together. The corners of the mouth
will turn down. Facial tissues will no longer be properly supported.....”IF” the dentures are
relined in this position the loss of features will get worse.

 

This information is provided by The Denture Pro.  <thedenturepro@aol.com

                What's This Bony Lump On My Gums?

                                                            By: F.Spiva Jr. CDT MDT CD

                                                                                      Copyright 1986

                                                                                thedenturepro@aol.com

 

 

    From time to time someone writes and asks why they have one or more "lumps" of what feels hard like bone at one or more places on their gums. The "lumps" they ask about are not really rare or are they necessarily common, but they do exist for a somewhat large number of people. The "lumps" can be found on the roof (Palate) of the upper gum, or they can be on the sides of the gums, upper or lower. These "lumps" can be small as a garden Pea, or as large as a the end of your thumb. I've seen the "lumps" begin just behind the front lower teeth, and extend down the side of the lower gum ridge all the way back to the last molar tooth.

 

    So, what are the "lumps" called technically you might ask, and the answer is that they are called "TORI". Tori hardly ever begins to appear after childhood, but instead begins to slowly grow in early childhood and stop growing once full adulthood is reached. In most cases they don't create problems with eating or speech, nor do they produce pain unless bumped by a hard substance or object. In some cases, when they are on both sides of the lower gums (right and left) next to the tongue, they can restrict the tongues movements and create both eating and speech issues.

 

    "TORI" can be such an issue that they must be removed. It could become a speech altering issue and it could be an obstacle if and when you need to wear a dental appliance such as a Denture or Partial Denture...Tori, as a rule, begin just below where natural teeth enter the gums and can extend only a few millimeters down towards the floor of the mouth, or they my extend all the way down...They seldom extend all the way to the floor however. They may protrude outward towards the cheek or tongue, depending on which side of the gums they are on, and that distance may be no more than the thickness of a match stick or it may be as thick as your finger.

 

    Because the tissue over a Tori tends to be far thinner than other gum tissue, it doesn't tolerate pressure like a denture or partial denture would place on it..Futher more, it will limit how far down the side of the gum a denture or partial could reach to help hold the appliance in place. If the Tori happened to be on the roof of the mouth, and you needed an Upper denture, it's doubtful you could tolerate the pressure of the denture on the thin skinned Tori.

 

    So..if you have a TORI, what do you do about it? The answer is, you have it removed. Yes, before you ask, it is a surgical procedure, but it's not in most cases a procedure that is considered risky or really serious. Because the Tori is nothing more than bone, it's either chipped off or ground off...It's a relatively quick procedure and you heal quickly. The best part is that it will not come back. Once removed it's gone from then on.

 

    Now, if you have a TORI, but are not currently considering a dental appliance that you will have to deal with, you might consider getting it removed now while your young and heal faster. That way it isn't an issue you have to deal with while at the same time learning to wear a dental appliance. If and when you need to consider having a Tori removed, I suggest you see an "Oral Surgeon".

 

    If you have comment or need to ask a question, you can do so on this site or you can Email me at: thedenturepro@aol.com, and I will personally respond directly to your Email address. All correspondence will be kept private

Why Did A Tooth Fall Out Of My Denture ?

                          Why Did A Tooth Fall Out Of My Denture ?
                                         By: The Denture Pro
                                          Copyrighted 2010
                                   <thedenturepro@aol.com>

 

     Denture Teeth “fall” out of a denture for a very specific reason and that reason is
because the denture was improperly processed. While there are a number of way's to convert the "wax" denture base over to the plastic one, all procedures must insure that the denture teeth are free of wax residue when the plastic is placed in the mold that will form the final plastic denture base. I will only discuss one of the methods here, but remember no matter the technique, the denture teeth MUST be free of all wax.

 

     One of the processing procedures in creating a denture is the point at which the “Wax”
denture is boiled out of the plaster mold. The Wax denture is placed into a three piece
metal box in two stages. The first stage is the placement of the Wax denture into the bottom half of the metal box. It is placed in a manner that holds the wax denture with the teeth exposed. Once the plaster sets it is coated with a special thin layer of material that prevents the next layer of plaster from sticking to it.

 

    The second stage is to put the top half of the metal box in place and fill it with plaster
covering the wax denture and the teeth and finally placing a lid on the box. The plaster is
allowed to set up for at least 30 minutes. The box is then placed in boiling water for about 3
minutes which is the calculated time required to soften the wax.The box is then removed
from the water and it is taken a part, the bottom is separated from the top. The bottom half
holds the model of the mouth and the top contains the teeth. The boiled out wax left the
mold of the denture base.

 

    During the boil out procedure the boiling water is poured over the inside of the model
along with wax removing chemicals. Once the two halves are deemed to be free of wax the
half of the box containing the denture teeth is painted with what is called a “separator”.
This coating is designed to keep the denture base “plastic” from sticking to the plaster
mold.......NOW, if the separator chemical is allowed to coat the denture teeth and the
denture base material is placed in the mold, that is a processing error.

 

    The separator chemical left on the teeth creates a thin layer between the teeth and the
denture base and the chemical layer will slowly dissolve when subjected to fluids like water
and saliva. When the separator is finally gone there is nothing left between the tooth and
the denture base except space. Had the separator been properly removed before processing the denture base plastic would have made a chemical bond to the tooth. Properly bonded denture teeth may brake off but will not come out of the denture base.

 

    If a denture tooth comes out of the denture base, you are entitled to a free repair by who
ever sold you the denture. The only denture teeth that does not chemically bond to the base
is “Porcelain” teeth....the front teeth have nail head post to hold them in and the back teeth
have specially designed retention holes for the base plastic to wedge into. Plastic teeth bond and become one with the base when properly processed.

 

    If you have comments or questions you can post them on this site or contact the The Denture Pro. at : thedenturepro@aol.com

WHat is a "REAL" Ultra-Sonic Denture Cleaner ?

                            What is a "REAL" Ultra Sonic Denture Cleaner

                                                             F.Spiva Jr. CDT MDT CD

                                                               The Denture Pro.

                                                                 Copyright 2010

 

    Don't get ripped off when you are tempted to buy an automatic denture cleaner advertised as an "Ultra-Sonic Denture Cleaner"... Those ads are misleading in that they don't tell you that a real "Ultra Sonic" cleaner does far more than just vibrate. The real Ultra-Sonic cleaners has what is called a "Transducer Tube" as part of the electronic system...The Transducer sends a high frequency impulse signal through the cleaner reservoir that when combined with a vibrating action creates a cleaning action that is very very strong, so strong in fact that some Transducer Tubes can send a signal that can literally fracture the bones in your fingers if you reach into the cleaning reservoir while the cleaner is running.

 

    While you see ads for what I call, "Drug Store" quality Ultra Sonic Cleaners, unless they specifically tell you the unit is equipped with a Transducer Tube, you are in fact being sold a cleaner that is nothing more than a cleaning reservoir (cup) mounted on top of a vibrator motor. These units can do a good job if used properly on a daily basis with a good cleaning solution.

 

    As for cost, the "real" Ultra Sonic Cleaners will in most cases begin at near $200 and up depending on size and Transducer Tube strength. Professional Ultra Sonic Cleaners will usually have multiple attached reservoirs allowing for cleaning of several items at once that may require a different kind of specialized cleaning solution in each resavor....A drug store ultra sonic (vibrator only) cleaner cost will usually range from $10.00 to $30.00........and by the way, they really do a good job cleaning jewelry.

 

If you have comments or questions you can post them on this site or contact the The Denture Pro. at: <thedenturepro@aol.com>

When Partial Denture Clamps Get Loose or Break

                             When Partial Denture Clamps Won't Stay Tight                                                             F.Spiva Jr. CDT MDT CD

                                                                  The Denture Pro.

                                                                   Copyright 2010

 

       Now Here This....what ever you do "never" attempt to Bend, Adjust or Tighten the clamps on your (PD) Partial Denture. PD clamps are specifically designed to only contact or grip the tooth they hold on to at their very tip end. Only the last 10%, of the tip of the clamp (clasps) is designed to actually hold on to the tooth...The rest of the clamp may touch to tooth but should not be expected to provide retention.

 

       PD clamps encircle a tooth but the only part that is designed to touch the tooth is the end portion of the clamp. An average natural tooth has somewhat of a "bell"shape to it. If you take a straight edge in a vertical position and place it against the side of a natural tooth, you will find that about half way down the face of the tooth the tooth's surface begins to move inward away from the straight edge.

 

       From the point at which the tooth's surface moves inward and on down to the gum line, that is called the "undercut" area. The PD clamp is designed in a way that only permits about 10% of the tip of the PD clamp to extend beyond the "Undercut" line. That final 10% is what provides the holding power of the clamp. The rest of the clamp only serves to form an attachment between the origin of the clamp and the tip.

 

       The only part of the PD clamp to be adjusted is the final 10% that goes beyond the "undercut." When you see a dental appliance professional adjust a PD clamp, it will appear that he/she is using a simple pair of "needle nose" pliers....NOT SO, what in fact is being used is a very specially designed "triple nosed" pliers.....standard needle nose pliers is unable to adjust the limited tip of a PD clamp, regular needle nose pliers will apply pressure over the entire PD clamp and most likely break it as the thick portion of a PD clamp has little to no give.

 

       Also, if you have a PD clamp break in the middle, don't bother to pay someone to weld the broken piece back on. Welding will leave the clamp brittle, especially at the weld joint. Chances are it will break again very soon.

 

       If the PD clamp broke while wearing, the chances are the partial did not fit well under the plastic portion that fits over the gums. If the gums had shrank, the partial was flexing up and down and eventually the clamps break into as the metal becomes fatigued. Had the partial been relined (refitted) the clamps should not break.

 

    NOW. you must "always" completely seat a partial denture into it's proper position with your fingers. NEVER place the partial in your mouth and then attempt to bite it in place...Partial clamps are designed to slide around a tooth in a very specific path...Biting them into place forces them to travel a path they were not designed to go and that will eventually cause them to get loose and break.

 

       If you have questions about the above information please Email The Denture Pro.

thedenturepro@aol.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Does Your Face Shape and Denture Match ?

            DOES YOUR DENTURE & TEETH FIT YOUR FACE ?

                                       By: F.Spiva Jr. CDT MDT CD

                                                           The Denture Pro

                                                           Copyright 2009.

 

    I can't tell you the number of times patients that came to my office with either "no" teeth, or a denture that was just simply wrong for them, wanted a dental appliance that balanced with their natural physical appearance and facial structure.

 

    After creating a dental appliance, or set of appliances, many patients would be astounded at how natural they looked. That astonishment had nothing to do with how white the teeth, how even they lined up, or if you will, pretty the teeth looked by themselves...The reason they looked so good was because the tooth shape, size, color and placement in the appliance was matched to their natural facial features and other influences, such as hair, skin, eyes and personality.

 

    Truly successful dental appliances must meet three criteria, Fit, Function and Appearance, in that order. For purposes of this discussion I will only deal with appearance.  As you sit in front of the person who is going to create your dental appliance, especially those that are removable and replace all of your extracted natural teeth, or just the front ones., that person should be mentally taking notes and writing down specific observations. Those observations should include the shape of your face, the color of your skin, hair, eyes, and an evaluation of your personality. Are you very reserved, even mannered, or do you exhibit a very outgoing personality. All those observations should be used to select the proper denture tooth, it's shape and it's color. The personality observation is used to influence how the teeth are arranged. The size of the denture teeth are determined by specific physical measurements and oral structure landmarks.

 

    Let's talk about what shape your denture teeth need to be to balance with your facial features. Say you look straight at the face of a friend,  take a pencil, and on a piece of paper, draw a line that represents the curve of the hairline across the forehead from temple to temple. Now extend that line down the left cheek, around the chin, and back up to the right side end of the hairline.......You should now have a line that depicts an outline of the persons face. Now, turn that outline drawing upside down, hold it next to the persons face, have them smile and you see that the outline of their face is the same outline of either of the two center upper front teeth.....So, if you came to my office with "no" teeth, I would use this facial criteria to decide what shape denture tooth would best balance with your facial features. This formula will prove correct with over 95 % of the population.

 

    Now, how about the size of the teeth best suited for you. First, the gums themselves will provide the best and most precise landmarks by which to select tooth size. However, those landmarks may not be totally correct if age shrinkage has occurred, or oral disease has changed them....Gum size and shape still must be a consideration in those instances, but other criteria can be taken into account. The other criteria can be combined with the physical characteristics and between the two, the best choice can be achieved.

 

    If you will hold a straight edge, such as a small ruler, vertically next to the outer edge of the nose nostril flange so that it extends down past the mouth and have the person smile, 90% of the time the edge of the ruler will pass down though the center of what we call the eye tooth...or Cuspid. What that tells you is that the distance between the outer edges of the nostrils, side to side...is the distance that should match the distance between the center of the Cuspid's...There are (6) six front teeth and the Cuspid's are the ones at each end of the six. You now know how wide the combination of the front six teeth should be to properly fill and balance the mouth from side to side.

 

    How about the length of the front teeth. To begin with, the distance between the jaws, when they are in a balanced centric position, must be determined. In other words, when the back denture teeth close together so they touch in proper occlusion...the jaws should be in a balanced position. While a denture professional will know a number of ways to determine that proper position, there is a very old, often called , unprofessional way to get an idea if the jaws are in a balanced position when the teeth come together. Jaws that are either "Over-closed" or "Open to far", can create slight to serious pain and jaw joint damage.

 

    To check your jaw balance yourself and get a reasonable idea if it's close to correct, do the following: Begin by taking a pencil an placing a small "dot" in the center of the end of your nose. Now place a small "dot" in the center of the most forward end of your chin....Now, using the ruler, measure the distance from the center of one eye pupil to the other eye pupil. Now, close you teeth together so that they touch in a normal bite.....Measure the distance from the dot of the nose down to the dot on the chin.....If that distance is less than the distance between the eye pupil measurement, it's likely the jaws are "over-closed", if on the other hand the distance is greater, it indicates the jaws are being held to far "open" when the teeth come together. In either of those cases, the jaws can be damaged and the facial features distorted from a natural attractive appearance.

 

    How about tooth color? Dental appliance tooth color must do one of two things, match existing teeth it sits between, or match the persons features that best compliment the tooth color. Your skin and eyes dictate the best tooth color to balance your appearance.  Dental appliance teeth that are to white scream out "FALSE TEETH". Dental appliance teeth that are to dark scream out...."UGLY".  Dental appliance teeth that are balanced with your skin and eye color don't scream out anything, they just make you look balanced, natural and great. Dark skinned people don't have natural exceptionally "white" teeth....90% of the time their teeth are two to three shades darker than a light skinned person, it's the contrast that makes their teeth look so white. Hair color can cause the same contrast issues with skin shade. What someone else has is no rule to use when creating an appliance for you.

 

    OK, how about the tooth arrangement? If you really, and I mean "REALLY", want to look both good and natural, you don't want the dental appliance teeth set up like a picket fence. While dental appliance teeth, crowns and veneers are created to mimic the iridescence and reflective properties of natural teeth, they look good in a group, but on an individual bases they are still lacking. If you set dental appliance teeth in a totally straight line, snugged  up next to one another, and you laugh, and smile, the light rays hit the tooth surface and bounce straight back making the teeth almost seem to be just one big expanse of teeth. If however, the teeth are arranged with just enough angle to cause the light rays to bounce from one tooth to the next, the refection is like the reflections from the facets of a diamond. That type of reflection allows each tooth to express it's own beauty and independence.

 

    If an expression of your personality is added to the arrangement you will look natural in the most positive way. That is accomplished by taking the teeth and maybe making one slightly overlap another at the chewing edge, or it may require making one or more of the front teeth a bit shorter or longer compared to the rest of the teeth....A competent creator of dental appliances will know what angles or twist to put on a tooth to achieve a personality effect. When all of the above factors are brought into play and skillfully assembled, a dental appliance should not draw undue attention, but instead blend with all your features....and if the fit and function has also been achieved, the result is very close to your feeling as though you still have healthy functioning natural teeth that add to your confidence and great appearance.

 

    A denture or partial denture that is properly created will provide facial tissue support. On the other hand, if you fail to get your first dental appliance correctly constructed, or you fail to have existing dental appliances and the oral structures checked on at least a yearly bases, facial tissue distortion can take place that even a newly created dental appliance can not correct. You can't achieve a face lift though dental appliances when facial tissues have been allowed to sag and become distorted due to poor health practices or ignoring preventative dental appliance exams.

 

    If you have comments or questions about any of the information offered, feel free to write The Denture Pro. at thedenturepro@aol.com