Dentures & Partials: An Overview
Dentures and partials are common restorative dentistry treatments for patients looking to replace a full or partial arch of teeth. Your teeth play an important role in your overall health and self-confidence. Our goal is to restore your smile as quickly as possible to help you avoid the discomfort of missing teeth. If you suffer from missing teeth or have teeth that will need to be extracted, schedule an appointment with our compassionate team today so we can get started on providing you with a set of custom-fit dentures or partials.
DENTURES & PARTIALS IN LAUREL, MD
As your trusted restorative dentist in Laurel, MD, we look forward to providing you with custom-fit dentures and partials to meet the needs of your smile. You deserve to live your life with a full set of functional teeth, and Laurel Smiles Dental Care is here to help you do so.
TYPES OF DENTURES
Dentures are custom, artificial teeth that your dentist may suggest to replace missing teeth and some of the gum tissue. They are made in a dental lab with impressions of your mouth. We offer removable, fixed, and permanent dentures at their Laurel, MD, dentist office.
- Partial Denture: Partial dentures near you resemble a dental bridge because they replace several missing teeth. They will fill in the gaps in your smile.
- Full Dentures: Full Dentures replace the entire upper or lower arch of teeth.
- Implant Dentures: Dentures secured by dental implants permanently attach dentures to the jaw using strategically placed dental implants. Dental implant secured dentures provide the highest rate of patient satisfaction.
THE BENEFITS OF IMPLANT-SECURED DENTURES
There are many reasons why patients have the highest satisfaction with implant-secured dentures. Implant-secured dentures give you the benefits of dental implants, but you don’t have the price of replacing each individual tooth with single implants. The dentist can place a limited amount of implants to support a full denture. Implants stop the jawbone from deteriorating, and they help to spur jawbone growth.
With implant dentures, you don’t have to worry about adhesive and suction. They stay in the mouth and won’t slip or fall out when you’re talking or eating. You get back full bite function and don’t have to eliminate anything from your diet. You take care of implant dentures the same way you would with your normal teeth. Brush twice a day and make sure you’re visiting the dentist bi-annually to ensure everything is going the way it should.
DENTURES AND PARTIALS FAQS
SHOULD I KEEP MY DENTURES IN WATER OVERNIGHT?
Yes, your dentures must stay moist to retain their shape and fit. While you can sleep with your dentures in, we suggest that you avoid doing so to give your gums and jaw a chance to relax from the pressure of the oral appliance.
HOW DO I CARE FOR DENTURES OR PARTIALS?
Do not brush your teeth with regular toothpaste, as this can damage your dentures. Instead, you will need to buy over-the-counter denture cleaner to clean your dentures effectively. You want to ensure you regularly clean your dentures by hand at least once a day. This helps keep your dentures in good condition. It will remove the bacteria daily so that it can not negatively impact your gums or jawbone.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO AVOID DENTURE SLIPPAGE?
Denture slippage is a common issue. We recommend a few dental implants, so your dentures have something to hold onto in your mouth. Dental implants are prosthetic teeth that a dentist will surgically fuse into your jawbone. Ensuring that your dentures fit well and comfortably is a priority at Laurel Smiles Dental Care. Talk to your dentist if you have concerns about the fit of your dentures, as there are often several improvements that we can make to try to alleviate this issue.
ARE THERE DIETARY RESTRICTIONS WITH DENTURES?
Dentures will restore some of your eating function. However, you will need to adhere to some dietary restrictions. Some types of food, such as sticky or hard food, simply require a strong biting force. It can be challenging to eat these kinds of food comfortably and keep the denture in place. To help make it easier to chew more difficult types of food, you can try cutting them into smaller pieces. Also, you must avoid very hot items.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY DENTURES BREAK?
Dentures are a crucial part of life for many patients. If they break, we understand that you may panic. The first thing to remember is never to try to fix them yourself. DIY repairs can lead to further damage. Contact your dentist right away to schedule an appointment. Remove the denture from your mouth and any of the broken pieces. Keep them in a safe, place like a glass of water, until your appointment. Do not try to wear them with denture adhesive. Until you can have them repaired, you should refrain from wearing them. Once your dentist can see you, they will determine if they can be repaired or if they need to be replaced.
CAN I WEAR MY DENTURES WHILE I AM SLEEPING?
Technically, yes you can wear your dentures when sleeping. However your gums will need a rest from them. During the evening when you are sleeping is the perfect time for this. This is why most dentists will suggest removing them when you are sleeping. Each night, you should remove them, clean them properly, and store them in denture cleaner or water. Wearing dentures continuously can lead to discomfort, sores, and irritation of the gums.
HOW MANY DENTAL IMPLANTS WILL I NEED TO SUPPORT MY IMPLANT DENTURE?
First, it depends on which arch your denture is being placed on. The bone in the upper jaw is softer and may require more dental implants to secure the denture. The upper denture typically uses about 4 to 8 implants. The lower jaw has denser bone. As little as two dental implants can support a denture however, most dentists will want to use at least 4. The exact number will vary based on factors like the patient oral health, bone density, and the type of denture being used.