Removable Dentures

What are Dentures?

Partial Dentures: For patients missing several teeth, a removable partial denture may be recommended. This type of denture uses the remaining teeth to hold or anchor the removable bridge in place. There are many different types and designs for removable partial dentures. Typically, a removable partial denture is made of a metal framework with pink plastic to replace the gum tissue and plastic or resin denture teeth. The number of missing teeth and their location will affect the comfort and stability of the removable partial denture. The use of dental implants may increase the stability of a removable partial denture. Consult a prosthodontist to determine if a removable partial denture will satisfy your needs. A prosthodontist can offer you many designs for your removable partial denture or provide other alternatives to consider including dental implant-supported crowns and bridges.

Complete Dentures: Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth. Complete dentures replace all teeth. By matching each individual’s unique smile and bite, dentures can improve facial appearance and self-confidence. Dentures can also solve pronunciation problems caused by missing teeth and improve chewing.

Immediate Dentures: Immediate dentures can be placed the same day as your teeth are extracted. These dentures allow you to wear teeth while your gums are healing so that you can confidently go out in public without being embarrassed. Typically, the immediate denture is replaced after your gums heal with either a conventional complete denture or an implant denture.

What to Expect

In order to provide the best fitting denture for our patients, we go through a thorough impression appointment in which we capture the patient’s muscle movements as well as gum tissue. At the second appointment, a “wax-rim” is tried in as a template for the new teeth positions. We evaluate lip support, esthetics, phonetics, and function during this phase. The patient is also allowed at this appointment to choose their new teeth shape, color, and size.

At the third appointment, the new teeth are tried in a wax phase so that the patient can see what they look like and how they speak with them. After approval, the dentures are finalized in acrylic resin and fit to the patient’s mouth at the final appointment. Typically one appointment is needed for adjustments of sore spots.

Remember, getting a new set of dentures is like a new pair of shoes – you must break them in!