Tooth loss can lead to complications and potential future oral health issues. Unfortunately, lost teeth can compromise self-esteem, alter the bite, and affect the smile’s aesthetics. Luckily, recent advances in dentures allow those who suffer from tooth loss to replace their teeth and get their smile back. At Stonehenge Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we provide dentures for patients in Raleigh, NC.
Dentures are custom-made replacement teeth that closely resemble your natural teeth. This restorative dentistry treatment can improve your original tooth position.
What are Full Dentures?
Our dentures create an aesthetically pleasing smile, prevent sagging facial muscles, and reestablish proper face height and profile. Full dentures improve tooth function and restore your ability to eat, chew, and talk properly. Complete or full dentures replace full arches of missing teeth.
We will work closely with each patient to carefully design their oral appliances. Our team ensures that each denture looks and feels natural, is cost-effective, and lasts. We take dental impressions to create their full dentures, working with a dental lab to create durable dentures.
Dentures usually consist of a gum-colored base and fake teeth that match the shape and color of natural teeth. We may also recommend dental implants to secure a full denture in place. After you receive your complete denture, we will provide daily maintenance and care instructions.
What are Partial Dentures?
Partial dentures are a great solution for people who are missing only a few select teeth. Even if patients have single missing teeth, their natural teeth can shift to fill in the gap.
Shifting teeth can cause headaches, neck pain, and jaw pain. This pain can also lead to tooth sensitivity and difficulty chewing and swallowing. Partial dentures are an economical option to replace missing teeth. They fill in these spaces to avoid shifting problems.
If you are interested in this less invasive approach, we will make impressions and have the lab construct a partial denture to match your existing teeth perfectly. Depending on the design, the partial denture will be held on by clasps or slip over the teeth. The end result will be a natural-looking smile that is easy to manage with proper daily oral hygiene.
How Do Implants Secure Dentures?
Implants are small metal posts that are inserted into the jawbone to help support and secure dentures. These implants act as artificial tooth roots. They provide a stable foundation for the dentures.
Implants offer many benefits. Dental implants can prevent the dentures from slipping or moving around while eating or talking. They make dentures feel more comfortable and natural-feeling. Implants can also help preserve your bone structure. They prevent further bone loss that can occur with traditional dentures.
Dental implants are also permanent. After the implant posts heal, they will stay in the jaw bone. While you may need to replace your false teeth over time, the implants will stay in place.
Are Dentures For Me?
While you must have missing teeth for dentures, you must also have good oral health. We will recommend root canal therapy, tooth extraction, gum disease treatment, or other treatments as needed.
If you get implant-supported dentures, you need healthy jaw bone to support the implant posts. We will recommend bone grafting to build healthy bone tissue.
Once you are ready for treatment, we will explain the denture fitting process and how we will adjust your dentures for a proper fit. We will ensure your final denture blends in with the look of any remaining natural teeth
Immediate vs. Conventional Dentures
An immediate denture is a removable denture placed in the mouth directly after we remove the remaining teeth. This allows you to have teeth immediately after a tooth extraction. You don’t have to go without teeth during the healing process.
However, these dentures are temporary. Once your mouth fully heals, we will place the final denture.
A conventional denture is a removable dental appliance we place after you are healed from a tooth extraction. Conventional dentures are custom-made once the gums fully heal, making for a more precise fit. They also tend to be more durable and long-lasting compared to immediate dentures.
How to Care for Dentures
Oral hygiene is essential after you get your final dentures. If you have removable dentures, remove them each night before bed. Gently clean them with a soft-bristled toothbrush and denture cleaner. Soak your dentures in water or a denture-cleaning solution. This will keep them moist and prevent them from drying out.
If you have implant-supported dentures, you can brush and floss your false teeth like your natural teeth. When you brush, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. You can use a threaded floss or water flosser to remove food debris from beneath your restoration.
In addition, be sure to visit your dentist regularly for check-ups. We can also make adjustments to ensure your dentures’ proper fit and function.
If you damage your dentures, we can provide denture repairs. We can rebase or reline your dentures if needed. You are more likely to need denture realignment if you have removable dentures. Over time, you can experience jaw bone loss without support from natural tooth roots.
Restore Your Smile
Do you have multiple missing teeth? Call Stonehenge Family and Cosmetic Dentistry for dentures in Raleigh, NC, today at 919.295.0936. You may also request a dental appointment with our team online.