Your permanent teeth are tough, but they aren’t invincible. If you develop a deep cavity, experience a blow to the mouth, or need extractions, dentures can make it easier to bite and chew while allowing you to smile confidently. At True Dental Group, James Brown, DDS, Randal Silver, DMD, and the team regularly use full and partial dentures to encourage optimal oral health. To make an appointment at the practice in Independence, Missouri, call the office to speak with a team member or request an appointment online.
Dentures are removable prosthetics that replace your permanent teeth. They sit on top of your gums and are held in place with small, metal clasps or a denture adhesive.
By getting dentures, you can significantly reduce the risk of oral health problems associated with missing teeth, including gum recession, bone loss, and persistent bad breath.
True Dental Group offers several types of dentures, including:
Full dentures replace your upper or lower arch. They have a horseshoe-shaped base plate, pink gums made of nylon or acrylic, and an entire row of artificial teeth. To prevent full dentures from moving around, you apply an adhesive or glue to the bottom.
Partial dentures replace only some of your natural teeth. They have a metal framework and two (or more) artificial teeth. Partial dentures attach to small, metal clips that your True Dental Group provider bonds to your existing permanent teeth.
At True Dental Group, getting dentures takes two visits.
To determine if you can benefit from dentures, your True Dental Group provider conducts an oral exam and takes X-rays. If you’re missing more than a single permanent tooth and you aren’t interested in (or don’t qualify for) dental implants, your provider moves forward with treatment.
First, they use an intraoral scanner to take digital impressions of your mouth. Your True Dental Group provider sends your impressions to a laboratory that uses them to manufacture a set of custom dentures that fit your mouth perfectly.
A week or two later, when the lab finishes your dentures, you return to True Dental Group. Your provider has you try your full or partial dentures on and makes adjustments as necessary. Then, they polish your dentures and provide at-home care instructions.
Dentures usually last 7-10 years*, but it’s possible to extend their lifespan by taking good care of them and practicing optimal oral hygiene. True Dental Group recommends:
Over time, it’s normal for dentures to stop fitting as well as they once did. If yours feel loose or uncomfortable, make an appointment at True Dental Group. Your provider can make adjustments or reline them as necessary.
To explore the benefits of dentures, make an appointment at True Dental Group. Call the office or request an appointment online.
*Individual results may vary.