Our dental professionals at Cleary Dental are qualified to go over every dental option available to determine a treatment plan that is best suited for your individual needs. If you have lost all of your teeth, you should consider replacing your teeth with dentures because they may be the best option to quickly restore your smile’s appearance and help improve your oral health. Dentures are a removable prosthetic set of teeth that you can use to replace your missing teeth and any soft tissues and supporting structures.
TYPES OF DENTURES
There are two kinds of dentures, and they vary in composition. The two kinds of dentures are complete or partial dentures. Complete dentures are a full set of teeth that can be made for you if you have lost all of your teeth. Partial dentures are ideal if you have some teeth left remaining.
DENTURES ARE MADE OF MOLDED RESIN
The process involved in having your dentures made will require up to three appointments over a few weeks. A prosthodontist is a dentist who will specialize in the restoration and replacement of your teeth. They will be a big help in developing your new smile. The first step will require our dentist to make an impression and measure your jaw. This includes how your jaws relate to each other and how much space is between them. Next, our dentist will create a model of the exact shape and position that your dentures are made in. Now your final denture can be cast, and any final adjustments can be made to ensure that your dentures fit nicely.
CONVENTIONAL AND IMMEDIATE DENTURES
Your complete dentures can be conventional or immediate. These are made after your teeth are removed and your surrounding gum tissue has started to heal. Conventional dentures are ready to be positioned in your mouth about eight to twelve weeks after your teeth are removed. Immediate dentures can be positioned in your mouth as soon as your teeth are removed. This type of denture can be made in advance, this way you will not have to go without teeth for a longer period of time. However, since your gums and bones will shrink over time, especially following tooth extraction during the healing period, immediate dentures have a disadvantage. Their dentures will need adjustments to fit properly in the future and are normally considered as a temporary solution.
GETTING USED TO DENTURES
New dentures will feel weird for a few short weeks until you become used to them. They may feel loose until eventually the muscles in your cheeks and tongue will become used to holding them in place. In the beginning, it is common to experience minor irritation or soreness. Additionally, you may also have an increased flow of saliva temporarily, but if problems persist for too long you should schedule a follow-up and consult with the dentist.
DENTURE CARE
Just like your teeth, you will need to care for your dentures by brushing them daily to remove food particles and plaque. When brushing be sure to clean your whole mouth thoroughly including your gums, cheeks, tongue, and the roof of your mouth. When you are not wearing your dentures, you need to keep them in a safe place and keep them covered in water.
GET YOUR SMILE RESTORED
Consider scheduling a consultation for your dentures at Cleary Dental. Our dental professionals are qualified to go over your options and determine a treatment plan that is best suited for your individual needs. To speak with us now, call (856) 428-3050.