Dentures
Our Services

Dentures
Dentures are prosthetic removable appliances that replace missing teeth. Some people call them “false teeth”. Their function is to help with chewing, improve facial appearance and restore a person’s smile. They can have a very positive effect on one’s self esteem and image. Often, a new smile helps people become more confident and outgoing which leads to new friendships and connections that further enrich their lives.
Immediate Dentures
Often patients need to have some or all of their teeth extracted for different reasons. Immediate dentures can be fabricated to be inserted right after surgery to replace the extracted teeth. They provide immediate esthetics and protect the extraction sites from food debris and liquids as well as maintain the fresh blood clots in the extraction sockets to aid in healing.
This type of denture maintains the patients appearance and helps the patient begin the learning process of wearing a denture immediately after surgery. It aids in learning to speak and eat efficiently. The immediate denture may benefit from soft temporary relines which help it fit your mouth better during the time when your gums are healing and shrinking/changing shape.
Usually we recommend a new permanent denture to be made in about 12 months, when all the healing has occurred and gums have stabilized from shrinking after extractions. If a second permanent denture is not affordable to a patient, the immediate denture can be refitted by relining it.
It is important to know that poorly fitting dentures may cause permanent harm to your gums and bony ridges and can make fabricating future dentures more difficult. New permanent dentures should be made or immediate dentures relined within a year of tooth removal surgery.
full dentures
Conventional dentures are made when the patient’s gums have healed completely after extractions, or to replace old dentures which no longer serve the patient well. The dentures replace all of the teeth in the upper and/or lower arch of the jaw. This can help with physical and psychological well being. In addition to improving appearance and self-esteem, having a full set of teeth helps with proper chewing which aids in the digestion of foods. The more the food is chewed the more you are able to digest the food and use the nutrients and minerals contained in the food. Speech is also affected by missing teeth and replacing them will help with speech issues as well.
We strive to provide patients with beautiful natural looking dentures with proper shape and color of teeth and gums as well as correct bite to establish comfort and ease in speaking and chewing. We do that by applying our experience and skill in designing the denture and positioning the teeth correctly in the arch to help restore good appearance and speech.
You as a patient get a unique experience of having the dentist and the dental technician come to your residence in order to personally provide you with highest level of care.
partial dentures
Partial dentures are an option to replace one or several missing teeth. When teeth are missing it is best to fill in the spaces to keep the teeth from shifting forward. Having a full set of teeth helps with proper chewing which aids in the digestion of foods. The more the food is chewed the more you are able to digest the food and use the nutrients and minerals contained in the food. Speech is also affected by missing teeth and replacing them will help with speech issues as well. While wearing partial dentures, It is very important that the patient keeps taking good care of his/her remaining teeth which are used to anchor the partial denture in place. Therefore regular dental exams and cleanings are highly recommended.
Some benefits of partial dentures.
- Getting a partial denture is a much less invasive procedure than surgical implant placement or fixed crown/bridge preparation
- Typically cost a lot less than having to replace teeth with implants/crowns/bridges.
- Improves the look of your smile and instills confidence.
- If additional teeth are needed in the future, they are relatively easy to add.
- Improves the overall comfort when chewing, eating, and speaking.
- Easy to adapt to compared to complete dentures.
- Made out of biocompatible materials.
- Helps prevent teeth from shifting into gaps.
We offer three types of removable partial dentures: cast metal, flexible and acrylic.
- Flexible partial dentures
Our flexible partial dentures are made out of a gum colored material and offer much greater flexibility than other types of partials. The material doesn’t absorb odors or stains, and if patients suffer from allergies to acrylic or certain metals, it’s a great choice. It contains no BPAs and is considered the most biocompatible material. Because of their benefits, flexible dentures make an ideal temporary, fostering healing following dental extractions and helping patients adapt to wearing partial dentures. They snap over teeth and are supported by the gums. Some patients feel that the appliance “disappears” or is “invisible” in their mouth, thus the esthetics of it is far superior to conventional acrylic/metal partial dentures. They are also lightweight, which usually helps the patient get accustomed to their dentures more rapidly.
They are often used in difficult cosmetic anterior cases, but may not be ideal for patients missing multiple molars on both sides of the dental arch. For greatest success, we evaluate each patient’s situation individually and advise patients based on the findings.
However, there are cons to using this type of partials.
- Changes cannot be made – no relines, tooth additions etc. so will need to be remade if problems occur and when they lose their fit over time.
- Sometimes difficult to take in and out (this obviously has its advantages)
- They don’t give you as strong of a bite as cast metal partials. With the bite already compromised by the loss of teeth, it is important to consider if flexible dentures might diminish your bite too much and contribute to TMJ problems and accelerated facial aging.
- Require special cleaning
- May need to cover the palate if teeth are missing on both sides – this affects telling temperature and the chewing experience.
- If replacing a single tooth – are small and easily misplaced.
- They are harder to break than other types of partials, but once broken, they cannot be easily repaired and usually require re-making.
- Because of their disadvantages, flexible partials are not as good as permanent restorations and are only used as permanent dentures in certain situations. Case by case considerations and a thorough discussion with the patient are necessary.
- Cast metal partial dentures
These are the most durable and securely fitting dentures. Cast metal is considered the gold standard in partial removables. Teeth and acrylic material are set on top of a sturdy metal framework and adapted precisely to fit your mouth. Our design process helps patients disguise the metal framework and provides a natural, confidence-boosting smile. These partials are intended for patients who are missing several to many teeth.
- Acrylic partial dentures
These partial dentures are made completely out of pink acrylic material (it feels like plastic) and use metal wires to clasp onto teeth in order to keep the dentures in place. They do not fit as precisely as cast metal partials do, but they function well as temporary healing dentures inserted immediately after extraction of teeth, until a permanent cast partial denture can be made. They are also a great option for a patient who is missing only one to three teeth and does not require a cast partial denture. In addition, patient’s whose teeth are failing can use acrylic partials to transition to a complete denture.
Implant Retained Dentures (OverDentures)
Implant retained dentures are an alternative to conventional dentures for patients who require replacement of many teeth. Requiring less implants, makes implant retained dentures more affordable and less invasive than implant supported dentures. Depending on the situation, the addition of two to six implants can restore an entire arch of teeth to function closely to natural teeth. These complete or partial dentures are secured by special attachments that connect to the implants. The dentures simply “snap” into place. Dental implants have an additional advantage of actually fusing to living bone and helping preserve its volume and density, which is important for maintaining the strength of your jawbone and supporting facial features. This option eliminates the possibility of “floating” dentures as well as the need for denture adhesives to keep your appliance in place. It also gives you the freedom to remove your dentures to thoroughly clean them and perform good oral hygiene.
implant supported dentures
This type of denture is the most natural feeling solution to dentures. The denture teeth are still one denture unit similar to implant-retained dentures but they are permanently attached to the implants below. This makes it a fixed appliance and only your dentist has control over when your replacement teeth can be removed out of your mouth. Implant-supported dentures are not removed for cleaning, cannot be dislodged, and feel and function like your own teeth. However, achieving this effective option often comes with a higher cost, as more dental implants are generally required to support this type of denture. In addition, bone and soft tissue regeneration procedures may be needed to achieve desired outcomes.
Since implant-supported dentures are worn at all times and not removed at night, it makes people with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems or sleep apnea suitable candidates for this type of tooth replacement. These dentures are also a good option for those who want to avoid having removable dentures and don’t mind the higher price point.
Maintaining Your Dentures
Instructions On Caring For Your Dentures
- Daily Cleaning
- Your denture will need to be cleaned daily to prevent stains and bacteria from accumulating.
- Before cleaning, be sure to fill the sink with water or lay a soft towel down to protect the denture from breaking if you accidentally drop it.
- Rinse denture/partial under warm water after each meal to remove loose food debris. Do not use very hot water as it can cause the denture to warp and not fit properly.
- A denture brush has bristles that are specifically arranged to fit the shape of dentures, but a regular, soft-bristled toothbrush can also work. Do not use a brush with hard bristles, because it can scratch and damage the denture.
- Dentures can be brushed with warm water, hand soap, mild dish soap or denture paste. Do not use regular toothpaste as it is too abrasive and can cause scratches. Do not use bleach, as it can damage and whiten the pink acrylic.
- Cleaning tablets can be used while denture is soaking in water. These help to remove light stains and loosen plaque buildup. Some tablets can only be used on full acrylic dentures and are not suitable for partial dentures, so please make sure you read the manufacturer’s instructions prior to purchasing.
- After soaking, rinse your denture thoroughly under warm water to remove any remaining cleanser.
- It is very important to remove your denture at night and store it submerged in plain water or special solution. Make sure you clean the container well every day.
- Mouth Care
- When not wearing your denture/partials, always keep them in water or special denture solution. If you do not keep them moist, the acrylic will dry out causing them not to fit well and become brittle.
- It is important to always remove denture/partials before you go to sleep at night, to allow your gum tissues to relax and breathe. This helps to avoid irritation, pain, and infection of the soft tissue beneath your denture.
- Before putting the denture back in your mouth, brush your surrounding teeth, gums, tongue and palate with a soft-bristled brush to stimulate circulation in your soft tissues and remove plaque. If you do not have any remaining teeth and cannot tolerate the toothbrush, a dampened washcloth may be used to clean your oral cavity.
- Be sure to wipe your gums, tongue, cheeks, inside of the lips and roof of the mouth. Rinsing every day with warm salt water can help keep your gums healthy.
- If you wear a partial, it is important that you use a separate soft toothbrush from your denture brush to clean your natural teeth. Also, make sure you remember to use your regular toothpaste only on your natural teeth, as it can cause damage to your denture.
- Soreness Or Irritation
- It is not unusual for sore spots to develop under or around your denture. Sore spots are a very common occurrence. They happen if the denture is exerting too much pressure on a particular area of the mouth. This may appear as a wound, ulcer, or a small mark on the soft tissues.
- To soothe your gum tissues, you should remove your dentures and rinse your mouth with warm saltwater. Keep your mouth/teeth and dentures very clean to speed up the healing process and prevent infection.
- If you experience sore spots/ulcerations, please let us know so that we can make proper adjustments to your denture to relieve the pressure and prevent worsening of the condition.
- Never try to adjust or repair the denture by yourself. It can be easily damaged and not fit properly after you attempt to fix it.
- New dentures may need several adjustments to seat completely and comfortably in your mouth.
- It is best if you stop wearing your denture while sore areas of the mouth are present, so that your gums can start to heal. However, it is helpful to us if you put your denture back in your mouth on the morning of your appointment. This will help us spot the sore problem spots and better determine which area of the denture should be adjusted.
- Helpful Information
Like anything new in our lives, dentures take time to get used to. Normal functions like talking and chewing may be difficult for several weeks. Please try to wear your denture as long as possible every day.
Your first task with your new denture is to learn how to talk. You may experience slight speech difficulty or lisping at first. Reading out loud will help with learning to speak more comfortably.
You may notice an increase in saliva flow at first. This is normal and will normalize in a few days after wearing your denture.
Dentures do not have the same chewing efficiency as natural teeth and may affect your taste of food. Always chew your food on both sides to keep your denture balanced and to prevent rocking. We suggest you start chewing with small bites of soft foods at first in private, until you get comfortable with your new appliance.