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Dentures

RELIABLE SOLUTION TO REPLACE MISSING TEETH

Dentures are artificial teeth and gums that are created and formed to your mouth to replace removed or lost natural teeth. Dentures can either be a full set (replace all teeth on either the top or bottom gum line) or a partial set (replace just a few missing teeth). Regardless of what kind of dentures you may need, they will be custom designed to fit your mouth, and visually matched to your existing teeth.

The Impact of Missing Teeth

Missing teeth don’t just affect your self-esteem! No matter if you lost your teeth by disease, injury, or tooth decay, the long-term impact of missing teeth can lead to serious health problems like difficulty chewing, biting, and speaking. It also negatively impacts your facial muscles, making your skin and face look older. Dentures not only improve the appearance of your smile, but they also support the structure around your cheeks and lips.

Pros and Cons of Dentures

Whether you need a full or partial set, dentures can replace missing teeth in a non-invasive way. There is no surgical element to worry about, and temporary dentures can be fitted immediately. The biggest challenge with dentures is that they do not feel like natural teeth. While they are functional, you still have to take care of them as a separate appliance. Modern techniques have made dentures more secure and comfortable than they used to be, but they are still a foreign object in your mouth and can become loose when eating or speaking.

Types of Dentures

There are three main types of dentures: temporary dentures, partial dentures, and complete dentures.

Temporary Dentures
We can provide patients with temporary dentures while they are undergoing a local dentistry procedure to replace a missing tooth. Temporaries ensure that patients have a natural looking smile while waiting for dental implants or a dental bridge to be completed. This is an excellent solution for when a tooth is knocked out during a sports game or in an accident. The temporary denture is secured in place with a metal wire that works like a retainer and can be taken in and out whenever you like.

Partial Dentures
If only a few of your teeth are missing, partial dentures are a good solution for replacing them. Unlike a full set of dentures, these are held in place by a plastic base that is the same color as your gums. A metal framework is typically created in order to secure the base and prevent it from falling out. As long as you have natural teeth in place, you cannot wear a full set, so a partial set of dentures is necessary. They function differently because dentures are removable and cosmetic dentistry solutions are typically permanent.

Complete Dentures
When all of your teeth are missing, complete dentures can replace them. Technology has improved in recent years, making them more comfortable and natural looking than ever. We can determine if this is the best way to replace your teeth or if an alternative solution will help you to achieve your goals. If you proceed with getting a complete set of dentures, your gums will be healed and ready in eight to 12 weeks after your teeth have been removed. Following teeth removal, the bones and gums will start to shrink. By waiting for up to 12 weeks, you can be sure that your set of complete dentures will fit securely. Many patients prefer not to wait and get immediate dentures. This solution does not require a waiting period, but there will be adjustments later on after the gums and bone have settled into their permanent size.

FAQs

QUESTIONS ABOUT DENTURES

How are dentures made?
During your appointment, we will examine your gums and other teeth to determine if dentures are the best solution, and if so, what type. A mold will then be taken of your teeth and gums so that the dentures can be created in a dental lab. Typically, several molds or impressions will be made so that the dentist can determine how your jaw functions and moves. Using these impressions, the lab will make a set of dentures that looks natural and fits perfectly. If necessary, adjustments will be made. We can discuss the process in more detail during a consultation.

How do I care for my dentures?
If possible, dentures should be cleaned after each meal. Remove and rinse them thoroughly, then use a denture brush to remove any food particles before rinsing them again. You also need to brush your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste. You can use an antiseptic mouthwash afterwards to kill any lingering bacteria and improve your breath. Soak your dentures at night after brushing them (in either water or a denture cleaner). Do not allow them to dry out because they may warp.

Can I sleep in my dentures?
Do not wear dentures 24 hours a day! It is recommended that you remove your dentures for at least eight hours either during the day, or at night, to avoid excessive pressure on the soft tissue and bone. This gives you the opportunity to properly clean your mouth (including brushing your tongue and lightly brushing the gums with a soft toothbrush) and allow for normal stimulation and cleansing by the tongue and saliva.

Fixed vs Removable Implant Dentures

Looking for a secure alternative to traditional dentures? Implant-supported dentures combines implant dentistry with dentures! In this procedure, dentures are anchored to your jaw just like your natural teeth, giving them more stability as well as helping to prevent future bone loss. Instead of replacing each missing tooth with its own single-tooth dental implant, an implant-supported denture allows us to strategically place a few dental implants on an arch to support an entire set of replacement teeth. There are two types:

Fixed Implant-Supported Dentures
A fixed implant-supported denture is not meant to be taken out. Just like it sounds, these dentures are permanently attached to your dental implants. Fixed implant-supported dentures function, and can be cared for, just like real teeth. No nightly cleaning solutions to deal with, simply brush daily like your real teeth. One consideration is that fixed implant-supported dentures require more bone and tissue support than removable implant-supported dentures. Overall, many patients enjoy this type of restorative dentistry because it lets them forget that they even have dentures!

Removable Implant-Supported Dentures
Removable implant-supported dentures (also known as snap-in dentures) are more like traditional dentures — the key difference is that instead of using adhesives to hold the denture in place, dental implants are used. Removable implant-supported dentures are suited for patients who don’t have the bone mass to support fixed dentures, or those who are used to wearing traditional dentures and don’t mind taking them out each day for cleaning, they just want a more secure option!

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Have missing teeth? Find out if you’re a good candidate for dentures. Schedule an Appointment today to discuss your options!

Call Village Parkway Dental at 972-221-8724

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