Dentures are artificial replacements for your natural teeth and gums. Partial dentures may be made out of acrylic (plastic) and may involve a metal framework or clasps that attach to adjacent natural teeth to get the best fit. Our team will take impressions, a record of your bite, and the shade of your teeth that will be used to design a denture that fits with your natural teeth and smile.

Resources for further information:

• Dentures
• Dentures | Partial and Implant Dentures
• Removable Partial Dentures

Complete dentures are used when all natural teeth are missing from the top and/or bottom. Complete dentures rest on the ridge of gums and bone where teeth once were. An upper denture is largely kept in by suction to the roof of the mouth, while the lower denture has very little suction and relies on biting down to keep it in place. Having dentures with the proper bite is essential for function, which requires careful design and adjustment by your dentist and lab technicians. Sometimes if there is very little bone left, it is difficult to keep a denture in place; this is particularly true for lower complete dentures. In these cases, people may prefer to use a denture adhesive for better retention. If this is not an acceptable solution, dental implants can be placed to support a denture.

As with any prosthesis, learning to function with complete dentures takes practice and patience. Successful denture wearers adapt their muscles to chew, swallow, and speak effectively. It is important to note that a person’s ability to bite into foods will not be as strong as with natural teeth, thus it is important to try to keep your natural teeth as long as reasonably possible.

Resources for further information:

• Dentures
• Dentures | Partial and Implant Dentures

In some cases, teeth can be extracted, and a partial or complete denture can be fitted at the same appointment. This involves making the denture around the teeth that are to be extracted, which typically takes several weeks. When the bone and gums heal after extractions they tend to shrink, which may make the denture loose. An immediate denture usually requires relining with a soft material that helps the tissues heal and may be needed multiple times during the healing process. Once the tissues are healed, and very little changes are expected, the immediate denture is relined with a hard acrylic material that is intended for long-term wear.

Resources for further information:

• Dentures (CDA)
• Dentures (ADA)

When there is limited bone to allow for a good fit with conventional dentures, implants can be placed and the dentures can be attached to the implants. The denture is similar to a complete denture in that it is still supported by the gums and bone that it rests on, so some movement of the denture can still be expected. Upper dentures are held into place by four or more dental implants, while a few as two implants can greatly improve the retention of a lower denture. There are many ways in which a denture can supported by implants, but in all cases the dentures are able to be removed by yourself for daily cleaning. To learn more about whether implant-supported dentures are right for you, please contact us for a consultation.

Resources for further information:

• The Better Solution
• The All-On-Four Treatment Concept
• Dental Implant Care

Whether you are missing a few teeth or all of your teeth, you may prefer a tooth replacement solution that stays fixed in your mouth. Implants can be placed in your jawbone and a bridge connecting two or more implants can replace the missing teeth. Biting with an implant-retained bridge is much stronger than with an implant-supported denture, and is the closest option to natural teeth that is available. Implant-retained bridges require cleaning on a daily basis, but are not removable by yourself; they do, however, need to be removed once per year by your dentist for a thorough inspection and cleaning. Contact us for a consultation to see if an implant-retained bridge is an option for you. In complex situations, multiple specialists may collaborate with your dentist to ensure you receive the best possible care.

Resources for further information:

• Why Dental Implants?
• What is a Dental Implant?
• The Better Solution