Causes: Dentures are necessary when you have lost multiple teeth due to decay, gum disease, or trauma. Complete dentures are used when all teeth are missing, while partial dentures are suitable when some natural teeth remain.
Symptoms: The need for dentures arises when you experience difficulty chewing, speaking, or notice significant gaps in your smile. Missing teeth can also lead to facial sagging and a change in your bite, causing discomfort.
Procedure: Our skilled dentists begin by taking impressions of your mouth to create custom-fit dentures. For complete dentures, any remaining teeth are extracted, and the gums are allowed to heal. This process can take several weeks. Immediate dentures can be placed right after tooth extraction, but they may require adjustments as your gums heal. For partial dentures, we design a framework that attaches to your remaining natural teeth, ensuring a secure fit.
Duration of Procedure: The process of getting dentures typically spans several appointments over a few weeks. Initial consultations, impressions, and fittings are followed by adjustments to ensure comfort and functionality.
Recovery Time: After receiving dentures, you may experience some discomfort and increased saliva production as your mouth adjusts. This usually subsides within a few weeks. It’s important to follow our care instructions to ensure a smooth transition.
Benefits: Dentures restore your ability to chew and speak properly, enhancing your overall quality of life. They also support facial muscles, preventing the sunken appearance that can occur with missing teeth. Additionally, dentures improve your smile and boost your confidence.
How to Avoid It: To minimize the need for dentures, maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice daily, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings. Avoiding tobacco and a diet high in sugar can also help preserve your natural teeth.
By following these guidelines, you can maintain a healthy smile and reduce the likelihood of needing dentures.
A crown is a tooth shaped cap that covers the natural tooth in order to strengthen it so that the tooth does not fracture, or make the tooth more cosmetically pleasing. This is commonly done when the tooth has been weakened due to root canal treatment, tooth fracture, when there is not enough healthy tooth structure to hold in a larger filling, or to cover staining. Crown materials include gold, ceramics, porcelain, or a combination of metal and porcelain. The office may use an outside dental lab in fabricating the crown restoration.