Dentistry is all about smiles, and having a confident, healthy, and beautiful smile is important even for patients wearing dentures. Our practice provides personalized denture services that meet the needs and comfort levels of all our patients. All our patients are unique, and we create one-of-a-kind dentures that feel good and look natural.
Dentures are natural-looking replacement teeth that are removable. There are two types of dentures: full and partial.
Full dentures are given to patients when all the natural teeth have been removed. Conventional full dentures are placed after the gum tissue has healed, which can take several months. Immediate full dentures are placed immediately after the teeth have been removed and may require frequent adjustments during the first couple of months of use. Full dentures rely on suction in the mouth to keep them in place and functioning.
Partial dentures are attached to a metal frame that is connected to your natural teeth and are used to fill in where permanent teeth have been removed. Partial dentures are considered a removable alternative to bridges.
It is important to understand that dentures are a short-term and affordable solution for improving dental health. Dentures are certainly a good solution instead of spending months with missing teeth as a short-term solution for removed teeth. With a proper denture, the gumline beneath the removed tooth can be given time to heal and change shape in preparation for a bridge. This is certainly more comfortable and healthier than living for months without a tooth.
Additionally, people with dentures can eat more foods and speak more comfortably than with missing teeth. These are also optimal for their easy maintenance—you don’t have to remove them to clean them. Not only are dentures easy to take care of, but they are custom-fit to your mouth to create a natural and comfortable experience.
However, a few problems can result from wearing dentures for a long period. The most worrying issue is a deterioration of the jawbone beneath the denture, which can even bend and change shape due to the adjustment of dentures.
The roots of teeth are the primary foundation for healthy teeth. With restorative dental work, replacement teeth that do not move can use the jaw as a reliable anchor point. Dentures, on the other hand, can slide and move, adjusting with continued use. Overuse of dentures can lead to pain and difficulty eating; dental implants can solve this problem and keep the structure of your mouth healthy.
Dentures are not for everyone. If you’re interested in learning more about dentures and want to know if they are the right choice for you, please schedule an appointment. Our team will be happy to answer any questions you might have and can determine the best course of treatment for your ongoing dental health.
There are a few steps that you and our dentist will go through to make sure that dentures are right for your circumstances and to correctly fit them in your mouth.
Before discussing denture options, your complete dental health will be assessed through an oral examination. If there is any infection or tooth decay, we will need to resolve these issues before dentures can be put in place. This is especially true for partial dentures that will be affixed to other natural teeth. Any previous dental work that may get in the way of dentures will also need to be adjusted.
Much like preparing for orthodontic work, we will create a perfect mold of your teeth and obtain exact measurements to ensure the created dentures will fit correctly. After sending the mold to a dental laboratory for creation, you can schedule another appointment to return to get your dentures prepared for fitting.
On your second visit, your dentures will be ready for you! With your dentist’s and hygienist’s assistance, your dentures will be adjusted to fit your mouth perfectly. For partial dentures, we will set them and adjust them, so they feel decently comfortable. For full mouth dentures, we do the same and teach you how to best take care of them and wear them throughout the day.
At first, your dentures may be awkward and uncomfortable. There’s no pain to be worried about, but it will likely take time to adjust to the feel of speaking and eating with them. Eventually, however, your dentures will feel as if you were given another set of healthy teeth.
Dentures, just like natural teeth, require daily maintenance to stay clean and keep bacteria from growing inside of your mouth. Keep your dentures clean and your smile healthy:
If by chance your dentures do break, please contact our practice and schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Broken dentures that don’t fit properly can irritate your gums and mouth. Also, remember to continue scheduling regular dental checkups every six months to make sure that your smile stays healthy for many years to come.
