Dentures - Metzger Dentistry

RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY

Dentures (full and partial)

If you are missing several teeth due to injury or decay, you might benefit from dentures. With the proper design and fit, your dentures will restore your ability to smile, speak, and chew with confidence, just like your natural teeth.

There are various kinds of dentures available, and they all share a common function: replacing teeth that have become loose or lost. Dentures are a removable replacement for missing teeth and can be either full or partial oral appliances.

Natural, existing teeth may need to be prepared for dentures to fit properly. In some cases, teeth may need to be extracted and your mouth given a chance to heal before new dentures can be placed.

What to Expect

After you receive your dentures, you’ll be instructed on how to properly clean them to eliminate bacteria and other particle buildup.
Make sure to handle your dentures carefully, and do not bend or damage them.
It is important to clean your mouth and brush your dentures daily, and to soak the dentures overnight with a mild soaking solution.

Even with dentures, regular dental appointments are still necessary to have your dentures examined and professionally cleaned. Our dentists can help make sure your dentures still have a proper fit to prevent slippage and discomfort.

Still Curious?

TYPES OF DENTURES

Complete dentures have replacement teeth fitted into an acrylic base. The base is made to closely match the color of your gums. If you still have some natural teeth, they will be removed before your dentures are placed.

Implant-Supported Complete Dentures

A complete denture may also be attached to dental implants, which provide a more secure fit. Implants are posts that are surgically placed in the upper or lower jaw. Properly placed implants make the denture stable and can help reduce bone loss.

Many patients find that implant-supported dentures are more comfortable and secure than conventional complete dentures. However, not everyone can get implants. Patients must be in good health and have enough bone to support the implants. Ask your dentist if you are a good candidate for dental implants.

Conventional Complete Dentures

A conventional complete denture is made and placed in your mouth after the teeth are taken out and the tissues have healed. Healing may take several months. The base of the upper denture covers the palate (the roof of the mouth). When the base of the upper denture rests against your gums and palate, it makes a seal to hold the denture in place.

The lower denture has a horseshoe shape so there is room for your tongue and its muscle attachments. It rests on the gum and bone tissues of the dental ridge. Your cheek muscles and tongue also help hold the lower denture in place.

Immediate Dentures

Some patients may have the option to get immediate dentures. These dentures are made before the remaining teeth are removed. Once the denture has been made at the lab and is ready for you at your dentist’s office, the dentist removes your teeth and the denture is placed right away. With immediate dentures, you do not have to go without teeth during the healing time after your teeth are removed. Healing can take several months. Once healing is complete, the dentures may need to be adjusted or relined. Sometimes a new denture needs to be made.

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IMPLANT-SUPPORTED BRIDGES AND DENTURES

Implant-Supported Bridges and Implant-Supported Dentures

An implant-supported bridge replaces the lost natural teeth and some of the tooth roots when more than one tooth is missing. Unlike traditional bridges, an implant-supported bridge does not need support from the teeth next to it.

If you are missing all of your teeth, an implant-supported denture can replace the missing teeth and some of the tooth roots. Because the bone in your jaw actually grows around the implants, an implant-supported denture tends to be comfortable and stable. This allows you to bite and chew naturally.