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If you have lost all of your teeth, or even a few, whether it is from periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury, dentures can replace your missing teeth and restore your smile.  By replacing your missing teeth, your health and appearance will benefit greatly. 

Today, dentures are designed to be more comfortable and functional than they were in the past.  They are similar in appearance to natural teeth, allowing your smile to improve as well as your facial appearance.

Complete Dentures

Made when all of your natural teeth are missing, complete dentures can be used on your upper or lower jaw, or both.  Complete dentures are often called “conventional” or “immediate” depending on when they are made and inserted into the mouth.  Immediate dentures are inserted immediately after the removal of your remaining teeth.  In order for this to happen your dentist takes measurements of your mouth and teeth and makes the models of your jaws during a preliminary visit. 

An advantage of immediate dentures is that you do not have to be without teeth during the healing period.  Bones and gums can shrink over time, especially during the period of healing in the first six months after removal of your teeth.  When shrinking does occur, immediate dentures may require rebasing or relining to allow for a proper fit.  A conventional denture can then be made once the tissues have been healed, which can take at least six to eight weeks.

Partial Dentures

A partial denture fills in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevents other teeth from changing position.  Partial dentures are often a solution when several teeth are missing, but not all.  Removable, partial dentures usually consist of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-colored plastic bases.  These bases are connected by a metal framework and attach to your natural teeth with metal clasps or devices called precision attachments.  Precision attachments are generally more esthetic than metal clasps and are virtually invisible.  Crowns on your natural teeth may also improve the fit of removable partial dentures.

Taking Care of your Dentures

It is very important to practice proper dental hygiene when wearing dentures. Additionally, it is best to stand over a folded towel or a sink of water when handling your denture, just in case you accidently drop it.  Brush your denture with a denture brush daily to remove food deposits and plaque, which can also keep your denture from becoming permanently stained.   Avoid using a brush with hard bristles, as it can damage your dentures.  When purchasing a cleanser for your dentures, keep an eye out for the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. 

Upon initial wear, dentures may cause eating and speaking to be difficult. Start out by eating soft foods that are cut into small pieces.  Chew on both sides of your mouth to keep even pressure on the denture and avoid sticky or hard foods, including gum.

Dr. Gregory A. Stiver can work with you to tailor a self-care plan that will ensure optimal use of your dentures in Kansas City.  Contact Dr. Stiver at (816) 533-7393 today if you are missing multiple teeth, or even all of your teeth, to see if dentures are an appropriate solution to restoring your smile.