Dentures & Partial Dentures
A denture is a removable dental appliance replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and even enhance your smile.
There are two types of dentures – complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. A Partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from shifting.
A Complete denture may be either “conventional” or “immediate.” A conventional type is made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed, usually taking 4 to 6 weeks. During this time the patient will go without teeth. Immediate dentures are made in advance and immediately placed after the teeth are removed, thus preventing the patient from having to be without teeth during the healing process. Once the tissues shrink and heal, adjustments will have to be made. Since the bone can change considerably after extractions, it may become necessary to reline or add acrylic to the denture.
Making an esthetic denture and creating a smile is an art form. A lot of time and effort is taken so that your new smile is custom made just for you. Special attention is taken to choose the right shape, color and size teeth. As well as the correct tooth position and bite. It will look and feel very natural. You will look like you have “Nice Teeth” not a “Nice Denture”.
Dentures are very durable appliances and will last many years, but may have to be remade, repaired, or readjusted due to normal wear. In time the bone structure will change and the denture will become looser. also as the teeth on the denture wear out, chewing will become more difficult and your bite will also change. Denture patients frequently do not go to the dentist since they really have any teeth. In addition to evaluating the wear patterns just mentioned, Dr. Rodriguez will carefully examine the soft tissues of the mouth including those UNDERNEATH the denture.
Reasons for dentures:
• Complete Denture – Loss of all teeth in an arch.
• Partial Denture – Loss of several teeth in an arch.
• Enhancing smile and facial tissues.
• Improving chewing, speech, and digestion.
What does getting dentures involve?
The process of getting dentures requires several appointments, usually over several weeks. Highly accurate impressions (molds) and measurements are taken and used to create your custom denture. Several “try-in” appointments may be necessary to ensure proper shape, color, and fit. At this point you will get to see the actual teeth to be used in your denture. You can either approve or change the size, shape, arrangement or color. At the final appointment, your dentist will precisely adjust and place the completed denture, ensuring a natural and comfortable fit.
It is normal to experience increased saliva flow, some soreness, and possible speech and chewing difficulty, however this will subside as your muscles and tissues get used to the new dentures.
Implant-Supported Denture
An implant- supported denture is supported by and attached to implants. Unlike the complete denture, this one is supported by the implants and doesn’t rest on the gums. If there is enough bone in the jaw to support implants, and implant supported denture can be when the person doesn’t have any remaining teeth left in the arch.This particular denture has special attachments that snap onto other attachments on the implants.These dentures can be made for both upper and lower arches but are more Commonly used for the lower arches.
