Restore Your Smile With Dentures
Full or partial tooth loss doesn’t just affect a person’s self-image. It can also increase the risk of developing nutritional problems and other systemic health disorders. Fortunately, there’s a reliable restorative dental treatment and time-tested method for treating this condition: full or partial dentures.
Dentures can provide a more stable, natural-looking solution to your missing teeth. They can also help you eat and speak more comfortably. Our modern dentures consist of durable acrylic or plastic that provides a strong bond to your gums. Continue reading to learn about denture treatment in Silver Spring at our office, Advanced Total Dental Care.
Fixed (Implant-Secured) Dentures
If applicable, most patients opt for fixed dentures due to their strength. Dental implants secure fixed dentures, which provide stable support for the dental prosthetic. You cannot see the dental implants because they are deep-rooted into the jaw bone.
Patients can receive anywhere from 2-6 dental implants to help secure their dentures. Dr. Rever will walk you through the process to make sure you know the ins and outs, and relieve you of your anxiety.
Under local anesthetic, Dr. Rever will insert the correct number of dental implants into the mouth. For you to receive the best results possible, Dr. Rever will assess what the best healing practices are for your oral health.
Sometimes, the dentist may apply a set of temporary false teeth during the healing process. Once the implants and the jawbone fuse, patients will receive their fixed dentures and are one step closer to a brighter and healthy smile.
Removable Dentures
Dr. David Rever will decide whether you may need partial or full dentures. It will depend on the number of teeth lost and the status of your overall oral health. The primary function of dentures is to allow patients to resume normal chewing, talking, and eating functions. Dr. Rever will work with you to figure out what kind of dentures will give you the best results.
Some types of dentures include:
- Transitional Dentures: Applied as a patient’s transition into wearing dentures. Due to the reshaping of the gums and the surrounding area, immediate dentures will not fit as well as permanent dentures once the healing is complete. However, it does help your teeth and gums adjust to wearing dentures.
- Conventional Dentures: Your dentist carefully crafts and customizes full and partial dentures to fit into your mouth. Dr. Rever skillfully places these dentures into the mouth to ensure a great fit. Patients can obtain dentures that match their existing teeth, as well as providing a functional, comfortable smile.
The Dentures Procedure
Making quality dentures is a blend of science and art. First, your dentist makes an accurate impression of the alveolar ridges on the top and bottom of your mouth. A dental laboratory makes the base of the denture from this mold.
Working together, the dentist and lab technician choose from among many different sizes and shapes of prosthetic teeth to re-create a natural-looking smile. When everyone is satisfied with the result, the temporary dentures are made in permanent form.
To enable normal speech and eating, it’s crucial to balance your bite. This means that the upper and lower dentures come together and properly stabilize each other. The dentist will check the form and function of the dentures to ensure that they are working and fitting properly.
If you’ve recently lost your natural teeth and have an immediate denture, it’s normal to find some tissue shrinkage and bone loss. Therefore, in several months you may find that the immediate dentures no longer fit well.
You will have two choices at this point: You can visit the dentist to reline your immediate (temporary) dentures, or get full dentures. To reline dentures, the dentist adds material under the denture’s base to better conform to the new contours of your alveolar ridge.
A better option is to move to a set of conventional full dentures, which will last longer and fit better. With proper care, dentures offer a functional, aesthetic, and economical solution to the problem of tooth loss.
Dentures & Partials FAQs
Can you permanently attach dentures?
- Yes! We can create modern dentures that your dentist will permanently attach to the dental implants. We call this type of restoration an implant-supported denture. It is a very common and successful treatment for replacing missing teeth. This is the number one choice among patients looking to replace a full row of teeth and old dentures.
Can I get dental implants if I already have dentures?
It is possible to get dental implants if you currently wear a complete denture set. The process may include a bone graft to restore jawbone so that your dental implants fit snuggly. It may also include other procedures since wearing dentures for a long time can affect your structure.
What should I do if I have a broken denture?
Stop wearing it. Broken and damaged dentures can cause damage to your sensitive mouth tissue. However, if your appetite starts diminishing or your gum starts to bleed excessively, then most likely there might be an issue with the gums or teeth and not just the denture itself. Schedule a visit with your dentist or Dr. Rever for a consultation to fix or replace your dentures.
Can you whiten dentures?
Yes. In most cases, you can whiten dentures at home. You can purchase a denture bleaching product at your local pharmacy. You can also use hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to periodically remove stains from your denture.
When it comes to dentures, it’s important to be proactive about their health and well-being. On an annual basis, make sure you visit a dental hygienist who specializes in teeth cleaning for dental appliances like dentures.
How do I take care of removable dentures?
Taking care of removable dentures is not a difficult task, as long as you are aware of the best practices. You must clean your dentures after every meal to remove any food particles or bacteria. You should brush your dentures with a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste at least once a day. Also, soak them in water mixed with hydrogen peroxide or mouthwash overnight.
Taking care of fixed dentures is even easier. Brush them twice a day just like real teeth and floss gently under them. You do not need special products when maintaining fixed dentures.