Dentures

Dentures provide a reliable, comfortable, natural-looking solution to enhance smiles and restore oral function after tooth loss. Whether you’re missing one tooth, several teeth, or all your teeth, removable dentures address the multiple problems that come with tooth loss.

In this post, you can find out what you need to know about dentures at Metropolitan Prosthodontics in Plymouth MN, including:

  • Types of dentures.
  • Benefits of dentures.
  • The denture process.
  • How to take care of dentures.
  • Whether dentures are your best option.

If you’ve lost teeth, you may be wondering whether you really need to replace them. So we’ll deal with this question first.

Why Do I Need to Replace Missing Teeth?

About 178 million Americans have lost one or more teeth, according to the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP). And 40 million are missing all their teeth. If you have the misfortune to be one of these statistics, it’s important to understand the importance of replacing missing teeth. Failing to do so can have wide-ranging consequences.

Teeth enable us to speak clearly and chew and digest food. They also affect our smile, facial shape and symmetry, and jaw anatomy. Tooth loss can also result in a shift of bite force onto remaining teeth. Over time, these teeth can encroach into the gap left by a missing tooth.

Types of Dentures at Metropolitan Prosthodontics

Your Plymouth prosthodontist provides a range of treatments with removable dentures.

Full Dentures

A full denture – also known as a complete denture – is used when all the upper or lower teeth are missing.

There are two types of full dentures.

  • Conventional dentures – custom-made dentures that are ready to be worn about eight to 12 weeks after teeth have been extracted.
  • Immediate dentures – a temporary solution while you’re waiting for your permanent dentures to be made.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures replace one or more missing teeth in the upper or lower jaw. They’re typically more stable than a full denture and look more natural. They also prevent remaining teeth from moving out of position. A partial denture is often used when a fixed bridge or dental implants aren’t feasible.

Implant-Supported Dentures

Dental implants can be used to give full dentures greater stability and stronger functionality. Regular dentures rely on natural suction to remain in place, possibly with the help of dental adhesive. Implant-supported dentures are anchored by implants that are surgically inserted into the jaw.

These titanium posts fuse with jawbone to create synthetic tooth roots – something standard dentures can’t do. The benefit of this is a healthier jaw that preserves facial structure and appearance. Tooth roots provide the stimulus jaw bone needs to avoid deteriorating like muscle atrophies without exercise.

All-on-4 Dental Implants

Getting standard dental implants is a lengthy process. It can be several months before you’re ready for an implant-supported denture. All-on-4 dental implants at Metropolitan Prosthodontics overcome this problem, and you can get your artificial teeth in just one day. As the name suggests, All-on-4 implants typically support all the replacement teeth with only four implants – half the number of implants usually needed to support a full denture.

Benefits of Dentures at Metropolitan Prosthodontics

Most people with missing teeth can benefit from dentures, which improve facial appearance and oral functionality. Dentures may not feel exactly the same as natural teeth, but you should begin to feel more comfortable with them after a few days. Then you’ll start to fully appreciate the benefits of dentures.

Thanks to advances in denture technology and techniques, state-of-the art dentures from our Plymouth prosthodontists feel much more natural than those worn by previous generations. They allow you to communicate clearly when talking, and they eliminate problems with biting and chewing, so you don’t have to settle for soft foods.

Furthermore, dentures boost self-confidence by ending the embarrassment of unsightly gaps in your smile. And they can make you look younger by reducing the sunken-cheeked appearance that tooth loss can cause. Another benefit of dentures is that they’re more affordable than other tooth replacement methods such as dental implants, and treatment is faster.

In-Office Denture Fabrication

Most dental offices send impressions to an external denture lab to get dentures made. Metropolitan Prosthodontics has its own in-office denture fabrication lab. This streamlines treatment. It ensures complete control over quality of materials and craftmanship and the timing of making your dentures.

The Denture Process at Metropolitan Prosthodontics

Your Plymouth prosthodontist will adopt a more painstaking approach than a general dentist during the denture process. This includes welcoming your input on denture selection and positioning.

The denture process varies according to which type of dentures you’re getting, but the basic steps include:

  • Initial consultation and oral examination to determine which type of denture is right for you.
  • Tooth extraction if necessary.
  • Creating a mold from an impression of your mouth.
  • Using the mold to make the denture in our lab.
  • Placing a temporary denture.
  • Replacing the temporary denture with your permanent denture.

How to Look After Your Dentures

Dentures may need to be replaced eventually but with proper care they can last five to 10 years. As with natural teeth, oral hygiene is crucial with dentures.

  • Take your dentures out to clean them twice a day to remove plaque and food debris.
  • Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or denture brush and a denture cleanser. Regular toothpaste may damage your dentures.
  • Brush your natural teeth and your gums and tongue with a fluoride toothpaste before putting your dentures back in.
  • Remove your dentures at night and soak them in water. This prevents them from drying out and changing shape. It also gives your gums a chance to rest.
  • Be aware that dentures are fragile and may break if you drop them.

Are Dentures Right for You?

There are several ways to replace missing teeth. Some may not be your best option. For instance, you may not have remaining healthy teeth to support a dental bridge. However, custom removable dentures work for nearly everyone who’s lost teeth. They’re the most affordable tooth replacement option, and the procedure is non-invasive. Our Plymouth prosthodontists can help you make an informed decision on whether dentures are your best option. Call 763-559-7600 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.