Dentures
Having a confident, healthy, beautiful smile is important for everyone. All patients are unique, and therefore we provide personalized denture services to create custom dentures that feel good and look natural.
What are dentures?
Dentures are natural-looking replacement teeth that are removable. There are two types of dentures: full and partial.
- Full dentures are necessary when all of 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 as well as a reline procedure.
- Partial dentures are used to replace missing teeth when a patient still has other healthy teeth present. They are typically recommended when other more permanent replacement options (a fixed bridge or implants) are not possibilities. A partial denture "hooks" onto 2 or more of the remaining teeth for retention and increased comfort.
What is an overdenture?
An overdenture is a removable denture that fits over a small number of remaining natural teeth or implants. Overdentures provide increased retention and stability for the denture, particularly in cases where a patient lacks adequate bone support.
Dentures are not for everyone. If you're interested in learning more about dentures, please schedule an appointment. Our team will be happy to answer any questions you might have, and together we can determine the best course of treatment for you.
Because we want to ensure every patient be as satisfied and comfortable with their new dentures as possible, we do not take short cuts. Fabricating a properly fitting custom denture requires several vital steps that are completed over 5-7 separate appointments. To create your optimal esthetic result, we spend time finding out what your ideal smile looks like and may even ask you to bring in photos of your "perfect smile." We take a series of impressions and measurements that help ensure the best denture fit possible. Once you receive your dentures, it is customary to expect at least 2 follow up appointments during which we will make minor adjustments.
Over time, dentures will need to be relined, rebased, or remade due to normal wear and natural changes of the mouth that occur with age. Bone and gum ridges can recede or shrink, causing jaws to align differently and dentures to fit less securely. Loose dentures can cause health problems, including sores and infections. A loose denture also makes chewing more difficult and may change your facial features. It's important to replace worn or poorly-fitting dentures before they cause problems.
Regular dental check-ups are still important. We still need to examine your mouth to see if your dentures continue to fit properly and look for signs of oral diseases including cancer.
With regular care, a positive attitude and persistence, you can become one of the millions of people who wear their dentures with a smile!