Dental Dentures

Dentures In Carmichael, CA

Dentures are a set of artificial teeth that provide both functional and cosmetic benefits to patients who need them. They are a great tooth replacement option for people missing many or all of their natural teeth. Dentists often recommend dentures to patients to help them improve their smile, chew better, and support the structure of their mouth and cheeks.

Full dental dentures can replace all of the teeth in the lower or upper jaw. Partial dentures can be used when the patient still has some natural teeth left. Conventional dentures fit directly over gums, though patients can also opt for implant-supported dentures that attach to metal posts implanted in the jaw bone. Both types of dentures are removable, so you can clean them every night and wear them again the next morning.

While it might take a while to adjust to new dentures, they are a safe and affordable way of replacing multiple teeth. Whether you’re just starting your journey to get dentures or are looking to have your current set replaced, the experts at Marconi Dental Group in Carmichael, CA are here to help. We specialize in all

What are Dentures?

People wear dentures as replacements for missing or lost teeth so they can continue enjoying a healthy diet and smiling with confidence. Dentures are made of either metal or acrylic (plastic). A “full” or “complete” denture is one that replaces the entire set of natural teeth in either the upper or lower jaws. “Partial” dentures, on the other hand, fill in spaces left by missing or lost teeth, and fasten to natural teeth with precision attachments.

In case you recently have had a few teeth removed because of dental abscesses or advanced decay, your dentist may advise you to get dentures as a tooth replacement option. In most of the cases, your dentist will do all they can to ensure your natural teeth remain strong and viable, but they can only do so much. Teeth that get large cavities or cause you pain may need to be removed to avoid compromising the health of the surrounding teeth further.

Why Should I Consider Getting Dentures?

Here are some of the reasons why you may want to consider going with dentures:

• When you lose many or all of your teeth, your jaw area gradually starts to look sunken in, which affects your appearance. Dentures ideally fill out your jaws and help to retain your normal appearance.
• They help make it possible to continue eating the foods you love, which might otherwise be difficult to chew with missing teeth.
• They also allow you to talk more clearly, as they provide a place to conveniently rest your tongue while making certain sounds.
• For many patients, they help improve self-confidence – you feel more comfortable smiling and speaking in public when you have them.
• When you choose conventional dentures, you avoid the surgical procedures that would be needed if you were to opt for dental implants.

While most dental denture patients are older adults, there are many cases where younger adults may need to have their teeth replaced with dentures. For instance, in case you lose all or many of your natural teeth in an accident, your dentist may recommend dentures as a tooth replacement option.

Conventional dentures are also a viable option for tooth replacement in patients unable to go through with dental implant surgery because of conditions such as diabetes, poor healing, autoimmune conditions, or cost constraints. They are also great for patients whose jaw bone is not substantial or strong enough to support dental implants.

Types of Dentures

Dentures can be broadly categorized based on the number of teeth they replace and the way they are held in the mouth.

Full

These replace all of the teeth in the lower or upper arch. Some patients only wear an upper or a lower denture, while others wear both. The dentist will wait until you heal from tooth extraction before they design a denture for you. Note that there are immediate dentures that the dentist could place in your jaw immediately after tooth extraction. Once you have healed completely, the dentist may remake or adjust the fit of the denture accordingly.

Partial

These are designed to replace just a few teeth. For instance, if you’re missing a few molars and still have your natural incisors, your dentist can design a partial denture that wires over your front teeth. The false teeth would then sit where your molar should. Keep in mind that every partial denture is different, and if you end up losing extra teeth after getting your partial dentures, your dentist can modify the denture to add new false teeth as needed.

Conventional

Conventional dentures are designed to sit over your jaw bone. You might need to use denture cement or glue to hold them in place and keep them from moving while you chew or speak.

Implant-supported

Also known as mini-implants, implant-supported dentures anchor onto four or more titanium screws inserted into your jawbone through a surgical procedure. This kind of denture has a few advantages: it won’t move while you chew or talk and you won’t have to use cement or glue to keep it in place. Plus, they often feel a lot more natural compared to conventional dentures. However, not all patients are comfortable with the fact that they require a surgical procedure, which results in them costing significantly more than conventional dentures.

Conventional Process

Dentures are usually made by prosthodontists, who are dentists that specialize in making dentures and fitting them. If you choose to have partial or full conventional dentures, your dentist will start by creating an impression of your jaw and taking precise measurements of your mouth. They will then build a model denture for you to try on. You can then assess the fit and comfort of the dentures, at which point you can now decide on the final model of the dentures. You will return a few weeks later to pick up your dentures and have them adjusted if needed.

Implant-Supported Process

Having mini-implants or implant-supported dentures installed is a bit more extensive. Your dental surgeon or prosthodontist will x-ray your jaw to make sure that your jaw bone structure is rigid enough to support the implants. You will then undergo a procedure where four or more screws are implanted into your jaw bone.

You will then be allowed to heal completely for three to six months. During this period, your jawbone will gradually integrate with the implants to create a stable platform for your dentures. You may be given a temporary denture to wear to cover the surgical site and give you a surface to chew on. Once you’re sufficiently healed, your dentist will design a specialized denture that will snap onto the screws protruding from your jaw.

How are Dentures Made?

For dentures to fit and function properly, they must be custom forged, fit, and securely fastened to your mouth. If there are any existing teeth involved, the dentures will be made to visually match them. Throughout the entire process, your dentist will work with you to get the right measurements and address any concerns you may have. They will then have dentures formed from hard resin, porcelain, or plastic paired with a flexible polymer or resin gum line.

In general, it will take approximately 5 dental visits to have your dentures made. During these visits, your dentist will:

• Measure your bite and make impressions of your mouth and teeth
• Send the impressions to a lab for them to be made into intermediary wax dentures
• You then try out the wax dentures to check the fit and aesthetics
• When you and your dentist are satisfied with the fit and comfort, final dentures will be made based on the wax mold
• Before you leave, the dentures will again be checked and modified to ensure a good, comfortable fit in your mouth

Keep in mind that you may experience some level of discomfort in the first few weeks or months of wearing dentures. These include:

• Difficulty eating
• Excess salivation
• Difficulty pronouncing some words
• Small irritation in the mouth

However, these discomforts will disappear as you get more used to your dentures.

How to Get Used to Dental Dentures?

It typically takes patients a few weeks to a few months to feel completely used to wearing dentures. In the first weeks of wearing them, you may want to stick to soft foods to let you get used to chewing with the dentures in place. It’s usually normal to experience a little tightness of soreness in your cheeks or jaw. Your muscles must get used to chewing with the dentures.

How To Care For Dentures?

With proper care, dentures should last for many years. However, you should return to your dentist or prosthodontist at least once every year to have your fit assessed and adjusted. The shape of your mouth might gradually change over the years, causing your dentures to feel insecure or loose if you fail to have them refitted.

Keep the following tips in mind to properly care for your denture:

• If possible, remove them every night and clean them by brushing them with toothpaste and toothbrush
• Always store them in a denture cleaning solution. Put them in this solution after cleaning and rinsing them – don’t let them dry out!
• Brush your remaining teeth and gums every morning before putting your dentures in place. This should help prevent gum disease and stimulate circulation to your gums, thereby preventing irritation
• In case your dentures feel uncomfortable or are rubbing, schedule an appointment with your dentist. Never try refitting or reshaping your dentures on your own. There are delicate and you may break them easily

How Much Do Dentures Cost?

If you have dental insurance, it should cover for all or at least part of the cost of dentures. They are a more inexpensive option for tooth replacement than you might assume. The average cost of an entire set of conventional dentures sits at around $2,500 to $5,000. However, partial dentures aren’t necessarily cheaper than full dentures. While they replace fewer teeth, they are a lot more difficult to make and install, as they fit around the teeth you already have.

How Soon Can I Have A Denture After My Teeth Are Taken Out?

In many cases, dentures can be installed straight after your teeth are removed. These are known as “immediate dentures”, though you have to visit the dentist beforehand to give them an impression and measurements of your mouth. Immediate dentures ensure that you don’t spend time without teeth while your gums are healing.

Am I a good candidate for dentures?

If you have a few missing teeth, dentures are one of the more affordable options for restoring your smile. Modern dentures, whether full or partial, have come a long way over the years, and allow you to enjoy amazing results, such as:

• Restoring facial and smile structure
• Looks and feels like natural teeth
• Improved self-esteem
• Will last for more than 10 years with proper care
• Are easily removable for cleaning and maintenance

Our Dental Dentures Repair Services

We are happy to provide one-day dental repairs, so as to minimize the inconvenience of going without dentures for more than needed. You may require denture repair if breakage of chipping occurs, or if some teeth need to be added to the denture you’ve been using. Fortunately, we can repair any cracked or broken denture and restore it to its original condition with our single-day repairs.

Contact us Today to Schedule a Consultation

If you’re interested in dentures, get in touch with Marconi Dental Group today to schedule a consultation with our dentists. We can assess your overall oral health, your jaw bone structure, and the health of your teeth to recommend dentures that should work perfectly for you. Modern dentures are more comfortable and effective than ever and can restore your smile and confidence in no time.

Marconi Dental Group can help when you are missing teeth. Dental implants and dentures can get your smile back and keep your mouth healthy! To make an appointment with in Carmichael, CA, contact us at (916) 487-7148.