Dentures and Partials

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and the tissues connected to those teeth. Complete dentures replace all of the teeth, while a partial denture is suitable for those who have some natural teeth remaining.

A denture improves chewing ability and speech, while providing support for the facial muscles. A denture can greatly enhance a patient's facial appearance and smile.

gifMaking a new denture takes about one month. There are usually four appointments needed to complete the process. New denture wearers need time to get accustomed to their new teeth because even the best-fitting dentures will feel awkward at first. Your cheek and tongue muscles must learn how to keep them in place. Normal speaking ability resumes shortly after final denture placement. In addition, in order to become accustomed to chewing with the new denture, it is recommended that you start with soft foods. To ensure proper fit, visit your dentist on a regular basis. Even when no teeth exist, you need to see your dentist at least once a year. At that visit, the dentist will examine the fit and balance of the denture, examine your soft tissues and perform an oral cancer exam.

It is important to remove your denture for at least eight hours each day. This lets the gum tissue rest, and allows for normal stimulation and cleansing of the mouth by the tongue and saliva. Denture adhesives may be recommended to improve the retention and stability for those with minimal bone support or small ridges.

Dentures and Dental Implants.
Too many people who have conventional dentures will not wear them because they don't stay in place. Dental implants offer a way to stabilize dentures.

The absence of natural teeth triggers shrinkage of the ridge, gum, and underlying bone. The pressure of a hard denture base may cause further shrinkage. Both factors contribute to a poor denture fit, and loss of denture retention. That's why denture wearers turn to denture adhesives. Unfortunately, adhesives are messy and need regular application. In general, dentures are adjusted and "relined" every two to four years, in an attempt to fill in the space of the bone that has been lost, but this doesn't prevent shrinkage. If you don't have teeth, the bone of the jaw disappears. Only the presence of a tooth or an implant will stop bone loss.

The placement of conventional implants involves a surgical process. To place implants in your jaw, a fair amount of bone is needed. Your dentist will be able to tell you about the quality and quantity of your bone, and whether implants will work for you. If you are a candidate for them, they are inserted into the jaw, where they will fuse to the bone. The existing denture is modified to sit comfortably over the implants during the healing phase. After the implants have healed, your denture is modified to snap onto the implants, locking them into place.

Unfortunately, not everybody has an adequate amount of bone for the dentist to place conventional implants. Atlas Denture Comfort is an FDA approved inexpensive and straightforward solution. The technique utilizes four to six thin Atlas implant anchors. Because of their ultra small size, Atlas anchors do not require surgical incision into the gum tissue. The Atlas anchors are the attachment between your bone structure and your dentures. A soft elastic silicone is fitted into your existing or new denture. The liner acts as a cushion between the denture and your gums and fits securely around the implants. The entire procedure is accomplished with local anesthesia, and in about an hour. In no time at all, you will be able to eat hard-to-chew foods without fear of denture dislodgment. For more information visit the Denture Comfort website at www.denturecomfort.com

The benefits of eating what you want, smiling with confidence and the confidence you get from a stable denture, are invaluable. Visit us for a complimentary consultation and found out if you are a candidate for implants.