Dentures & Partial Dentures

A denture is a removable dental appliance used to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Dentures are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and may even enhance your smile.

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 Complete denture may be either “conventional” or “immediate.” A conventional type is made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed. It may be used to replace an immediate denture or an existing denture that is no longer functional. Immediate dentures are made in advance and immediately placed after the teeth are removed, thus preventing the patient from having to be without teeth during the healing process. Once the tissues shrink and heal, a conventional denture can be made.

Dentures are very durable appliances and will last many years, but may have to be remade, repaired, or readjusted due to normal wear.

Reasons for dentures:

Complete Denture - Loss of all teeth in an arch.
Partial Denture - Loss of several teeth in an arch.
Enhancing smile and facial tissues.
Improving chewing, speech, and digestion.

What does getting dentures involve?

In our practice, dentures are constructed using The Branching Technique, an alternative method of denture construction that utilizes a trial denture or set of dentures to recondition the oral tissues and reestablish the bite. Patients may wear the trial denture for a month to six weeks, during which time they can evaluate the fit as well as the functions of speech and chewing. Alterations to the dentures can be done during this period. When all levels of function and appearance are acceptable, a completed denture or set of dentures can be finished.

Final dentures are completed with porcelain teeth for enhanced esthetics and long term wear resistance. The teeth are set in custom-tinted resin to match the natural color of the patient's tissue. Special denture processing techniques and equipment are used in our office to ensure a retentive and comfortable fit. In most cases, implants can be placed to further stabilze and retain a denture.

You will be given care instructions for your new dentures. Proper cleaning of your new dental appliance, good oral hygiene, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new dentures.

For more information on The Branching Technique click on the following link: BranchingTechnique(slides).pdf

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