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 may 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.

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 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.

You will be given care instructions for your new dentures. Proper cleaning of your new dental appliance, good oral hygiene, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new dentures.
Implant dentures

Disadvantages
In the past, people missing all of their teeth had no option but dentures. This prosthesis has numerous disadvantages, such as:

• Dentures are uncomfortable and often painful
  
• Dentures do not look natural, especially when eating
  
• As the bone continues to melt away, the dentures become loose, and can fall out when laughing, sneezing, or coughing without the use of adhesives
  
• People without their teeth and supporting bone visibly age much faster
  
• Wearing dentures usually undermines a person's self confidence (they have missing body parts and do not feel complete or natural)
  
• People with dentures cannot eat certain foods, such as steak, corn on the cob and apples
  
• People with dentures generally have bad breath
  
• These problems can be solved with implant supported replacement teeth, which are stable (securely fastened to the implants) and maintain the integrity of the facial structures by preserving the bone.
  

Advantages
Some of the many advantages of implant supported replacement teeth include the following:

• They are more comfortable and stable than traditional dentures
  
• They virtually stop the bone resorption process (deterioration)
  
• Integrity of the facial structures is maintained
  
• Appearance is improved
  
• It is not necessary to cover the roof of the mouth, so food can be tasted
  
• Relines and repairs are infrequent compared to traditional dentures
  
• Natural biting and chewing capacity is restored

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