A denture is a removable dental appliance replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and may even enhance your smile.
There are two types of dentures: complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. A partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, but it also prevents other teeth from shifting.
A complete denture may be either conventional or immediate. A conventional type is made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed, usually taking 4 to 6 weeks. During this time, the patient will go without teeth. Immediate dentures are made in advance and immediately placed after the teeth are removed, thus preventing the patient from having to be without teeth during the healing process. Once the tissues shrink and heal, adjustments will have to be made.
Dentures are very durable appliances and will last many years, but may have to be remade, repaired, or readjusted due to normal wear.
Reasons For Dentures
- Complete denture — loss of all teeth in an arch
- Partial denture — loss of several teeth in an arch
- Enhancing smile and facial tissues
- Improving chewing, speech, and digestion
What Does Getting Dentures Involve?
The process of getting dentures requires several appointments, usually over several weeks. Highly accurate impressions (molds) and measurements are taken and used to create your custom denture. Several try-in appointments may be necessary to ensure proper shape, color, and fit. At the final appointment, your dentist will precisely adjust and place the completed denture, ensuring a natural and comfortable fit.
It is normal to experience increased saliva flow, some soreness, and possible speech and chewing difficulty; however, this will subside as your muscles and tissues get used to the new dentures.
You will be given care instructions for your new dentures. Proper cleaning of your new dental appliance, good oral hygiene, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new dentures.
Our Approach To Smile Restoration
At South Suburban Family Dental in Blue Island, IL, our doctor approaches every denture case with the same honest, patient-centered philosophy that has guided this practice since 1983. Every patient presenting with significant tooth loss is walked through all available replacement options clearly and without pressure, including conventional dentures, partial dentures, and implant-supported denture solutions for patients who want greater stability and long-term bone preservation than a conventional removable prosthesis can provide.
Dentures & Your Options
Our doctor understands that losing teeth is a significant life event that affects confidence, daily function, and overall quality of life in ways that extend well beyond the mouth. The goal at every denture consultation at South Suburban Family Dental is to help each patient understand their options completely and make the decision that genuinely fits their needs, their lifestyle, and their budget. There is no one-size-fits-all approach here, and no patient is steered toward a particular option before their specific situation has been thoroughly evaluated and honestly discussed.
For patients who are interested in implant-supported dentures as an upgrade from conventional removable prosthetics, our doctor has completed continuing education specifically in dental implant placement and restoration, meaning that many aspects of implant treatment can be completed right here at South Suburban Family Dental rather than requiring referrals to multiple outside specialists. Implant-supported dentures provide dramatically improved stability, eliminate the slipping and dietary limitations associated with conventional removable dentures, and help preserve the jawbone that conventional dentures allow to continue diminishing over time.
Whether you are exploring dentures for the first time or looking to upgrade an existing prosthesis that is no longer fitting or functioning as well as it once did, the friendly and reliable team at South Suburban Family Dental in Blue Island, IL is here to help. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and find out which tooth replacement approach is the right fit for your situation.