Dentures
If many of your teeth are loose or painful, and you have been diagnosed with advanced periodontal disease, it's possible that the only treatment available is the removal of your natural teeth. Periodontal disease causes loose and painful teeth and bone loss; if it is left untreated, your teeth may have to be removed because there's too little support for them.
To begin the process of making a denture, we first take impressions of your mouth. From these impressions, we make precise working models of your mouth, and it's on these models that we make the denture. We'll work with you to select the best color and shape for your new teeth. When your denture is ready, we'll thoroughly numb your mouth and extract your remaining teeth. After your teeth are removed, we'll immediately place your denture.
For the first twenty-four hours, your new denture will feel tight because your gums are swollen. As your bone heals over the next six to nine months, your gums will shrink and your denture will feel loose. When this happens, we'll use a temporary lining material to tighten the fit. After the period of healing is complete, we'll either construct an entirely new final denture or send your immediate denture back to the lab to be relined for its final fit.
Some temporary problems are a normal part of adjusting to your new denture. At first, your denture may tip when you chew. You may notice increased salivary flow. It may seem bulky, and you may gag a little. Your tongue will feel crowded, and you may have difficulty speaking. But don't worry, as you get used to your new denture, these problems will go away.
For many, using implants to anchor and retain your new denture is advisable. Implants can greatly improve the fit and retention of your new denture.
Implant Dentures
For those with seriously compromised edentulous (toothless) ridges, implant dentures is the treatment of choice. Titanium implants are placed in the jaw bone by a qualified surgeon. The implants heal over the next 4-6 months integrating with the bone to provide a secure anchor. After healing the top of the implant is uncovered and an abutment is screwed into the implant. The denture is then secured to the implant with metal attachments.
Learn more about Dentures at the Patient Education Center.
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