A denture or a complete denture as it is often called, is an appliance that is inserted in the mouth, replaces natural teeth and provides support for the cheeks and lips.
A confident, radiant smile is always important, but it’s especially important for patients wearing dentures. Everyone has a different and unique mouth structure. For that reason we create customized dentures for every patient, ensuring a natural and aesthetically pleasing look.
What are Dentures?
If you have missing teeth, dentures could be your ticket back to a beautiful smile. Dentures are natural-looking, removable teeth that are attached to an aesthetically pleasing frame. They are a great solution for those who have lost their teeth from gum disease, tooth decay, or an accident. There are two different types of dentures; full and partial.
Full Dentures- Complete and Immediate
Complete dentures, also known as conventional dentures, are given to those who have had all of their teeth removed. Conventional full dentures can be placed into the patient’s mouth once the gums have fully healed. Gums may need to heal after tooth extraction or any physical injury to the gums. Healing can take anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks.
Immediate dentures are different in that the patient does not have to go without teeth for a period of time. They are made in advance and can be placed into the patient’s mouth right away. As the mouth heals, partial adjustments may be required to the immediate dentures.
Partial Dentures:
Partial dentures are used when the patient has lost only some teeth. They are replacement teeth attached to a naturally pink gum base. Because the teeth gaps may be in different locations, this removable denture is typically connected by a metal framework. Partial dentures are crucial because they help to fill in teeth gaps as well as prevent other teeth from shifting positions. The partial dentures will be customized for the patient's mouth structure.
The teeth are made of plastic, porcelain or a combination thereof. Dentures can be fabricated to fit over endodonticly treated teeth and a complete denture can be attached to dental implants to allow for a more secure fit of the appliance.
Dentures over a normal course of time will wear and need to be replaced or relined in order to keep the jaw alignment normal. The alignment will slowly change as the bone and gum ridges recede or shrink due to the extraction of the teeth. Regular dentist examinations are still important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissues can be checked for disease or change.
Dentures Procedure- How it works:
Most dentures are made of acrylic and can be fabricated two different ways.
Initial Appointment: Your first appointment includes a thorough examination of your gums and teeth to see if you are a good candidate for dentures.
Mold Replica:
In order to create dentures that are a perfect fit for your mouth, a mold replica will be created using dental putty. This mold is then sent to a professional laboratory for denture creation.
Fitting Appointment:Once your dentures are ready for use, you will come in for a second visit to get your dentures fitted and adjusted as needed.