When it comes to restoring their smile after significant tooth loss, patients have a number of options to consider. Dentures can be an excellent restoration option for those who require more extensive treatment, as they can replace multiple missing teeth at once. Dentures, also known as prosthetic teeth, are oral appliances designed to fit the individual shape and size of a patient’s mouth for optimal comfort and function. They can be secured in the mouth with an adhesive powder, think of the name brand Polident, with laboratory relines and tissue conditioning, or with dental implants. In order to maintain the denture, each night, they are removed for cleaning, giving the gingiva of the mouth a chance to rest and recoup.

Today, you can find ads for simple snap-on dentures that look like lab-made dentures. You could even purchase these off Amazon. These dentures are not custom made, however. They can be uncomfortable to wear and are not as high quality as dentures provided by a dental professional. Consulting a dentist for your restoration helps ensure you receive a quality product, a custom fit and a natural-looking appearance.

What Are the Different Types of Dentures?

Dentures are created with the specific patient in mind, and depending on the patient’s needs, there are two different dentures our dentists may recommend: full dentures or partial dentures. If the patient is missing several, but not all, of their original teeth, a partial denture is likely the best option. The partial will fit securely against the palate but can still be removed for nightly cleaning. If the patient is missing all of their teeth in their upper or lower arch, a full denture would be more fitting.

Who Can Have a Denture?

Anyone missing more than one tooth could be a candidate for dentures. Some factors put patients at a higher risk of tooth loss, such as diabetes, periodontal disease, high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, genetics, poor oral hygiene or advanced age.

What Are Dentures Made Of?

Dentures, like most dental restorations, can be made from a variety of materials depending on the patient’s specific oral health goals and budget. The most common materials for the framework of a denture are metal, acrylic, nylon, resin and porcelain. The tooth replacements themselves can also be made from a variety of tooth-colored materials. Because there are so many choices and factors that go into the success of a denture, it is important to have a trained professional working with you to help create the ideal denture for your smile.

Your First Denture Appointment

First, an examination and X-rays of any remaining teeth with be taken. If any necessary dental treatment is required, this will be completed prior to the start of your denture treatment. Once your mouth is healthy and ready for dentures, our team will take impressions of the remaining teeth or bone structures. These impressions will be sent to the laboratory. We will then invite you back to our office to try on your restoration and make any needed changes before the final denture is created. These additional appointments are necessary to reach the desired goal of a high-quality, well-fitting denture. The creation of your final denture may take a few weeks to complete and arrive at our office. Once it is here, we recommend another set of adjustment appointments to acclimate your mouth to the new appliance.

In Conclusion

Your journey to dentures starts with a visit to the dentist. Only a dental professional can provide you with quality, well-fitting and sometimes dazzling white dentures (by request only). Please give our Forrest Dental team in Chino, CA, a call at (909) 627-8544 so that you can get back to smiling and enjoy eating some of your favorite foods again!