Dentures

What are the different types of dentures?

There are numerous types of dentures available. Your dentist can recommend the best option for you, based on your needs, budget, and preference of denture.

• Traditional dentures that can be easily removed and cleaned on a daily basis. This is a non-surgical denture option. The removable dentures grip around the dental arch / remaining jawbone and rely on suction to remain securely in place. They are easily removable and do not require any recovery time for a patient to start using them.
• Partial dentures are removable prosthesis that fills an area of several missing teeth. It can be removed to clean and sleep and is an affordable and good-looking option for many patients.
• Implant-supported dentures where the dentures snap into place onto dental implant attachments. These are much more secure than traditional dentures, can still be removed for easy cleaning, and help prevent future bone loss, premature and facial sagging.
• Fixed dentures which are permanently secured using dental implants. Once installed, they cannot be removed unless oral surgery is provided. With the proper care, fixed dentures will last a lifetime and feel almost indistinguishable from natural teeth.

What is a full mouth extraction?

Full mouth extraction, also known as tooth extraction, involves removing many teeth at one time. Your dental team will carefully remove all of your natural teeth using advanced tools and techniques.

You may decide to undergo full mouth extraction for numerous reasons. The most common is to improve the quality of life by eliminating pain and discomfort and to remove infected or badly decayed teeth so you can improve your ability to chew and talk by replacing missing teeth with dentures or implants.

An FME typically requires several appointments. Your dentist will perform novocaine injections to numb up your gums, as well as provide an anesthetic with a needle in your mouth. He’ll then use special tools to grasp each tooth and remove it.

How do I clean dentures?

Traditional (removable) dentures require proper care to keep them clean, free from stains and looking great. Below are some cleaning steps and things to avoid when using traditional removable dentures:

• Remove and rinse dentures after eating by running water over them to remove food debris and loose particles.
• Handle them carefully and don’t bend or damage the plastic or clasps when cleaning
• Clean your mouth after removing dentures with a soft-bristled toothbrush
• Brush your dentures once a day and soak them in a nonabrasive denture cleanser to remove food, plaque and other deposits
• Soak dentures overnight in a mild denture-soaking solution to keep them moist and so they hold their shape.
• Schedule regular dental checkups so your dentists can ensure proper fit, prevent slippage and discomfort and check the inside of your mouth to ensure it stays healthy.
• Likewise, avoid abrasive cleaning materials, whitening toothpaste, and products containing bleach on your dentures, and hot or boiling water that could warp them.

What are full dentures?

Sometimes dental conditions, such as tooth decay or gum disease, can become unmanageable. This may lead to the decision to remove your remaining teeth on one or both jaws. Regardless of the case, full dentures are an economical and efficient way to restore your function and smile.

A complete denture consists of a thin acrylic base that rests on the gum tissue and is the same color as your gums. Porcelain or acrylic replacement teeth built into the base give the appearance of natural teeth emerging from the gums. We know that your smile is unique, and our staff has the experience to help you select the teeth that appear most natural and harmonious in your smile. This gives you the option to customize the way you look, whether you want a “new” smile or just want to restore the one you had.

While dentures boast a long history of successful use, modern technology offers better options to enhance the way they fit and the way you look. In many cases, dentures can be secured more firmly to your jaw with the use of dental implants, placed in the jaw and connected under the base of the denture. This connection can be designed to create permanent fixation of the denture or to allow for its removal at times. In addition to having greater retention and a more natural look, implant-supported dentures tend to last longer. Your dentist can discuss these options and help you understand the ways they can improve your experience with dentures.

What are partial dentures?

Whether you’ve lost one tooth or many, chewing and smiling can become more difficult because of the gaps left behind. Partial dentures are an economical solution to replace the missing teeth and fill in the spaces, improving chewing ability and the confidence to smile. A partial denture in place will also help keep your natural teeth from shifting, lowering the risk of losing those teeth in the future.

Most partial dentures contain a thin metal framework that is designed to rest close to your gums and allow for a smooth, non-bulky feel. The framework is supported by your natural teeth to provide a reliable, secure appliance that is easy to use. Where teeth are missing, natural-looking replacement teeth are attached to the frame, and gum-colored acrylic is used to make the appliance blend with your mouth. Again, your mouth and your needs are unique, and your dentist will work with skilled technicians to create a solution that is comfortable and esthetic.

With advances in technology, implants can also be used to support removable partial dentures, improving the fit while reducing the size of the appliance. Dentures inherently bring some challenges, especially to new wearers. Our goal is to minimize the everyday frustrations to the lowest level possible.

We look forward to discussing your options to make your mouth full again and to give you back a confident, glowing smile!