A Reliable Solution for Missing Teeth
If you have missing teeth, your jawbone gradually degrades and the empty spaces can cause significant changes to the structure of your mouth and jaw. Eating the foods you once enjoyed can be a struggle, it’s too embarrassing to smile, and your self-confidence has taken a hit. Tooth loss can also lead to increased sensitivity, decay, and chips in your remaining teeth because they’re taking on an added burden. If you’re missing several or all your teeth, Dr. Avi Matha provides several types of dentures in Woodbury, MN to help restore your dental function and appearance! As with any dental solution, there are pros and cons to wearing dentures. At your first consultation, Dr. Matha will discuss your lifestyle and goals, including the functionality of your smile to determine if dentures are the best option for you.
We Offer Four Types of Dentures
We provide four types of dentures in Woodbury, MN, each of which has specific purposes. The last one combines the benefits of dental implants with removable dentures to provide far greater security and support.
Temporary Dentures
This solution is ideal for patients undergoing cosmetic dentistry to replace a missing tooth, e.g. if a tooth was knocked out playing sports or in an accident. Temporaries ensure you have a natural looking smile while waiting for dental implants or a dental bridge to be completed. The temporary denture is secured in place with a metal wire that works like a retainer and can be taken in and out whenever you like.
Partial Dentures
If you have a few missing teeth, partial dentures are a good solution for replacing them. This type of denture is held in place by a plastic base the same color as your gums. A metal framework is typically created in order to secure the base and prevent it from falling out. Partial dentures provide necessary support for your jaw and remaining teeth, which helps mitigate problems such as eating and sensitivity.
Complete Dentures
When all of your teeth are missing, complete dentures are a viable tooth replacement solution. Technology has improved in recent years, making dentures more comfortable and natural looking than in the past. If you decide a complete set of dentures is the right option, your gums need to heal for 8-12 weeks after any remaining teeth are extracted. Following extraction, your bones and gums will begin to shrink. Waiting up to 12 weeks, ensures that your set of complete dentures will fit securely. Another option is to get immediate dentures. Although this solution doesn’t require a waiting period, Dr. Matha will need to make adjustments later after your gums and bone change shape.
Implant Supported Dentures
This innovative restoration option offers a better fit than traditional dentures, for greater confidence when speaking, smiling, and eating. If you’re a suitable candidate, Dr. Matha drills holes into your denture to line up perfectly with the new implants, which have small ball joints on the heads. Your denture snaps firmly into place over the ball joints, holding the restoration in place to prevent it from slipping or irritating your gums.
How are Dentures Made?
First, Dr. Matha will examine your gums and remaining teeth to determine what type of denture is most ideal for your needs. A mold will be taken of your teeth and gums to enable a dental lab to create your dentures. Typically, Dr. Matha will create several molds or impressions so he can effectively assess how your jaw functions and moves. Using these impressions, the lab will make a set of dentures that looks natural and fits perfectly. If necessary, adjustments can be made during your first fitting and subsequent appointments.
Pros of Dentures
Dentures have a learning curve as you adjust to wearing your new teeth, but you’ll become used to them in just a few weeks. You’ll then experience the benefits of our modern dentures, including:
- Cost-effective option
- Non-surgical solution
- Improved appearance and smile
- Better ability to bite, chew, and enjoy food
- Better support for facial muscles
- Renewed self-confidence
Understanding Denture Limitations
The biggest challenge with traditional dentures is that they may not feel like natural teeth. Although functional, you have to take care of them as a separate appliance. Other cosmetic dentistry procedures make it easy to forget you ever lost a tooth. While modern techniques have made dentures more secure and comfortable, they can fall out, click, or slip, especially when eating or speaking. If you’re a denture wearer, you need to remove and clean them every night and soak them overnight. Before placed them back in your mouth, it’s important to brush your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste and use an antiseptic mouthwash to kill any lingering bacteria.
