Dentures / Partial Dentures Specialist

What are dentures?

Dentures are removable sets of highly natural-looking prosthetic teeth. They’re used to fill gaps in your smile or replace an entire set of missing top or bottom teeth. Think missing teeth aren’t a pervasive problem? Think again. More than 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, while 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth. 

Each set of dentures is lined with a fleshy, acrylic gum-like base. Dentures are horseshoe-shaped to fit snugly inside your mouth and make room for your tongue. Full dentures replace an entire set of top or bottom teeth. Partial dentures, on the other hand, can replace a few missing teeth.

How are my dentures made?

First, your dentist takes detailed impressions of your teeth and gums. They use these impressions to custom-produce your dentures. 

An outside dental lab receives these impressions and makes your dentures according to the team’s specific shape, shade, and sizing instructions. It typically takes about 1-2 weeks to make your dentures. When they’re ready, you come back into the office for a fitting. 

Your dentures are held in place with metal clasps, or they’re attached to dental implants. Getting implant-retained dentures is the best way to limit any shifting or sliding around of the appliance inside your mouth. 

At first, your new dentures might feel a bit strange. That’s your mouth getting used to this new foreign appliance and it’s only temporary. Within a few short weeks, your dentures will feel exactly like natural teeth. 

Should I consider dentures? 

If you’re missing several teeth or an entire set of top or bottom teeth, you should definitely consider dentures. They’re an excellent restorative option that not only improves your appearance but also drastically enhances your oral health. 

When you’re missing teeth, the surrounding teeth shift into the empty spaces. This shifting increases the likelihood that you’ll develop tooth decay, bone loss, and severe gum disease. Missing teeth also cause speech, chewing, and digestion issues. 

Getting dentures to fill gaps in your smile helps with all of these issues. Also, if your jawbone is too thin and can’t support implants, dentures provide a viable alternative. 

How long do dentures last? 

The lifespan of your dentures depends largely on you. As long as you care for your dentures like they’re your natural teeth and practice good oral hygiene, there’s no reason they can’t last you 8-10 years, if not longer. 

To schedule a dentures consultation at the office, call or use the online booking tool and set up a time to come in today.