complete dentures

If you're like most people who are learning about dentures, you probably have many questions! Dentures have been around for many years. The earliest form of denture was introduced more than 2,000 years ago. Today, dentures are of better quality and are more comfortable than ever before.

Replacing missing teeth has substantial benefits for your health and your appearance. A complete denture, also called a full denture, replaces all the natural teeth and provides support for cheeks and lips. Without this support, sagging facial muscles can make a person appear older. And by replacing missing teeth, dentures improve a person's ability to speak and to eat.

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and adjacent tissues. It is made of acrylic resin (a plastic), sometimes in combination with various metals. Complete dentures replace all the teeth, while a partial denture fills in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevents other teeth from changing position. Complete dentures are either "conventional" or "immediate". A conventional denture is placed in the mouth after all of the teeth are removed to allow for proper healing, whereas an immediate denture is placed as soon as the teeth are removed. The drawback behind an immediate denture is that it may require more adjustments after healing has taken place. An overdenture is a denture that is constructed with special attachments to attach it to some retained roots or dental implants so that it will stay firmly in place.

Who needs a denture?

Candidates for complete dentures have lost most or all of their teeth. A partial denture is suitable for those who have some natural teeth remaining. A denture improves chewing ability and speech, and provides support for facial muscles. It will greatly enhance the facial appearance and smile.

What happens when you get a denture?

To make a full conventional denture when all teeth have been lost or all extraction sites have healed. An initial diagnosis is made; an impression and wax bite are made to determine proper jaw position; a "try-in" is placed to assure proper color, shape, and fit, and the patient's final denture is placed, following any minor adjustments. New denture wearers need time to get accustomed to their new teeth because even the best fitting dentures will feel awkward at first. Most patients can begin to speak normally within a few hours, many patients report discomfort with eating for several days or weeks. To get accustomed to chewing with a new denture, start with soft, easy-to-chew foods. In addition, denture wearers often notice a slight change in facial appearance, increased salivary flow, or minor speech difficulty.

The Denture-Making Process

The entire process usually takes about two weeks with a total of four appointments.

1. The first appointment is the initial exam. A careful diagnosis is made of the patient's oral condition. Any current dentures are examined. Prognosis for new dentures is explained to the patient. Study models of the patient's upper and lower mouth are taken.
2. Final impressions of the upper and lower ridges (the bony shapes which the dentures fit), along with bite relationships are taken. The color or shade, and shape (mold) of your teeth are determined either from the natural teeth or a prior denture.
3. The try-in appointment: the impressions, bite and tooth order are sent to our lab. The dental lab uses the models and sets the teeth in a wax base, which allows them to be tried in the patient's mouth. The clinical try-in allows us to correct problems with the bite or appearance before we finish the dentures. It allows the patient to see what the finished dentures will look like. After the patient and dentist approve of the wax dentures, they are sent to the lab to be finished. A mold of the wax-up denture is made, the wax is removed and the remaining space is filled with pink plastic in dough form. The mold is then heated to harden the plastic. The denture is deflasked, finished, and polished. It is now ready for the delivery appointment.
4. At the delivery appointment, the dentist checks the fit within the patient's mouth. Minor adjustments are done as necessary. The patient is instructed in denture cleaning, and told to return as needed for help with the dentures.

Remember that gum tissue is in a constant state of change but dentures do not change. So, periodic relining of your denture will be necessary. Dentures typically need to be relined or remade every 3-5 years. It is very important that we see you yearly to evaluate your gum tissue and bone condition to determine their state of health.