Dentures

Traditional dentures are replacements for missing teeth that are removable and are generally made of acrylic. A complete denture replaces all of a patient’s teeth, while a partial denture fills in any missing spaces in the mouth, preventing other teeth from moving. If you have lost all or most of your teeth then you are a candidate for complete dentures. If you have some of your natural teeth remaining then a partial denture may be more suitable.

Types of Dentures

• Full or Complete Dentures replace all of your teeth on your upper jaw, lower jaw or both
• Immediate Dentures are inserted immediately after the removal of any remaining teeth
• Overdentures fit over a small number of remaining teeth and are removable
• Partial Dentures are often a solution when several teeth are missing
• Removable Partial Dentures attach to your natural teeth with a metal framework

How Dentures are Made?

It takes approximately one month and five appointments to create a set of dentures. The process begins with an initial diagnosis where an impression of your mouth is made to determine the proper dimensions and jaw position. A “try-in” is then placed to assure fit, shape and aesthetics, then the final denture is placed and minor adjustments are made to improve the fit and feel of the denture.

The impression, bite and shade are provided to a dental laboratory so a denture can be customized for your mouth. A dental laboratory creates a mold of your jaw by placing the teeth in a wax base, and carving the wax to the exact dimensions. The denture is completed at the laboratory using “lost wax” technique known as “lost wax” where a wax version of the denture is created, the wax is removed and the remaining space is filled in. After this, the mold is heated and hardened and finally, the denture is polished and ready for wear.

Common Concerns About Dentures

When you first place a denture, you will notice that eating takes a little getting used to. We recommend beginning with softer foods that are cut into small pieces, then chewing slowly using both sides of your mouth to prevent the dentures from shifting. As you become more comfortable chewing with your dentures, you can begin adding other foods until you are back to your normal diet.

Take care to chew using both sides of your mouth at the same time and be cautious eating food that is hot, hard or has sharp edges.
Speech can be affected when you have dentures and pronouncing certain words may take some practice. We recommend talking out loud and repeating any words you may have difficulty pronouncing. If you are creating a clicking sound when talking then you may want to try speaking a little more slowly.

It’s possible that dentures can occasionally move out of position when you cough or laugh. Simply bite down and swallow to reposition your dentures.

To discuss your options for dentures, please call one of our offices or schedule an appointment online.