Dentures

A denture is a removable replacemnt for missing teeth, and the tissues connected to those teeth. It is made of acrylic plastic and sometime porcelain and metal materials. A denture closely resembles natural gum tissue and teeth.

There are two types of dentures - complete and partial dentures.  Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.  A Partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from shifting.

A dentist can make a full conventional denture when all teeth have been lost or all extraction sites have healed (up to eight weeks or longer). The denture process takes about one month and five appointments:  the initial diagnosis is made; an impression and wax bite are made to determine vertical dimensions and proper jaw position; a “try-in” is placed to assure proper color, shape, and fit; and then patient's final denture is placed, following any minor adjustments.

New denture wearers need time to get accustomed to their new "teeth" because even the best fitting dentures will feel awkward at first.  While some patients can begin to speak normally within a few hours, some patients report discomfort with eating or chewing for several days to a few weeks.  To get accustomed to chewing with a new denture, start with soft, easy to chew foods.  In addition, denture wearers often notice a slight change in facial appearance, increased salivary flow, minor speech difficulty, minor irritation or discomfort.