Dentures are removable dental appliances that act as a replacement for missing teeth. Our Dallas Dentures Dental Office creates dentures to closely resemble your natural teeth. Depending on your particular situation, today’s dentures can actually enhance your smile.
Dentures are available in two types. – complete and partial. As the name implies, complete dentures are used when all teeth are missing; partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. A partial denture not only fills in spaces created by missing teeth, but acts as a stabilizer to help keep surrounding teeth from drifting into the empty space.
A complete denture may be either “conventional” or “immediate.” Conventional dentures are used after teeth have been removed and gum tissue has had time to heal, usually about 4 to 6 weeks. During this time the patient goes without teeth. For patients who do not want to go without teeth, immediate dentures are made in advance and immediately placed after the teeth are removed. Once the healing period is over, adjustments will be made to ensure proper fit of the denture.
Reasons for dentures:
- Complete Denture – Loss of all teeth
- Partial Denture – Loss of several teeth in an arch
- Enhancing smile and supporting facial tissues
- Improving chewing, speech, and digestion
The process of getting dentures requires several appointments over a period of time. Accurate impressions (molds) and measurements are taken and used to create your custom denture. Your Dallas Dentures Dentist will schedule several appointments so that your dentures can be adjusted to ensure proper shape, fit and color. During your final appointment, your dentures will be precisely fit and adjusted, and the completed denture placed.
Most patients experience an adjustment period as they get used to the new dentures. During this process 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.
Upon receiving your dentures, you will be given care instructions. As with any other dental appliance or restoration, proper cleaning, good oral hygiene, and regular dental visits can extend the life of your new dentures.