Dentures are a restorative dental service that benefits patients with rows or arches of missing teeth. Dr. Samantha Leatherwood offers dentures to her patients in Denton, TX. Replacing lost or missing teeth with a full or partial denture not only improves the look of the smile but the oral health of the patient.
Dental restorations like dentures create a full and stable bite that is evenly distributed. Missing teeth negatively affect the bite and can also make it more difficult to speak properly or chew certain foods. Patients who receive dentures may find that they can now easily enjoy the foods they love.
TYPES OF DENTURES
Full or complete dentures are used to replace a whole row of teeth. The false are fused to base made of acrylic and/or metal. The base is held in place in the mouth by way of suction. Sometimes denture adhesive is also necessary. Full dentures must be removed daily for cleaning and to give your gums a rest. Most people take them out at night time to do this.
Snap-on dentures and removable full dentures do not fully retain the bite. We recommend implant-secured complete dentures to patients missing full arches of teeth. Implant-supported dentures provide more long-term benefits than traditional methods.
Partial dentures are used to fill in gaps when there are remaining teeth left. Just like full dentures, they can be used on the top or bottom row of teeth. Partials also have a base with the false teeth fused to it. Once placed in the mouth, the false teeth will fill in the gaps in the smile. The base also has a metal framework with clasps. These clasps snap on to the remaining teeth to hold the prosthesis in place. This type of denture will need to be removed daily for clean as well.
Both full dentures and partial dentures can be secured in the mouth using dental implants. The implant fixtures are inserted into the jaw bone and left to heal for three to six months. Then a custom-made denture is fabricated and secured to the implant posts. This makes the prosthesis more stable and durable.
DENTURES AND DENTAL IMPLANTS
Patients receive a wide array of benefits when they choose dentures secured by dental implants, including:
- No messy adhesives
- Improved bone retention
- Stable fit
- Fewer repairs and alterations
- No slippage
- Improved bite
- Permanent results
It’s never too late to upgrade your dentures. If you already have a removable partial or full denture, our dental team can help secure it with dental implants. Please let us know if you have questions about the denture process and we will be glad to assist you. We take the concerns, budget, and goals of each patient into account before determining their treatment.
DENTURES FAQS
HOW MANY HOURS A DAY SHOULD I WEAR MY DENTURES?
Dentures should not be worn all day. Your gums and soft tissues need some time everyday to rest. Additionally, they must be cleaned everyday. Most people do this at night time. We suggest removing the denture and cleaning it each night. This should give your gums plenty of time to rest.
HOW LONG WILL MY NEW DENTURE HURT?
The most unfortunate part of getting a new denture is getting used to it. Since it is a foreign object in your mouth, this will take some time. They will feel funny for awhile. You will need to learn how to eat and speak with them in. Most people are comfortable wearing them in about one to two months.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HATE MY DENTURES?
This is common for a lot of patients. Sadly, your only options are to get used to them or upgrade to denture implants. Denture implants have a high patient satisfaction rate since they are the next best thing to natural teeth.
DO DENTURES CAUSE BONE LOSS?
When a tooth is missing or extracted, the underlying bone will slowly deteriorate. This is what leads to bone loss over the years. Dentures cannot prevent this from happening. The only way to prevent bone loss in the jaw is to secure the denture with dental implants. The implant fixtures are inserted into the jaw bone to replace the tooth roots and stimulate the bone for regeneration.
Contact Our Dental Office Today
Revitalize the look and function of your smile with professional full or partial dentures. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Leatherwood on our website. You can also contact Leatherwood Family and Cosmetic Dentistry by calling (940) 220-3566 today. Our office serves patients in Denton and Corinth, Texas.