Dentures

A denture or a complete denture as it is often called, is an appliance that is inserted in the mouth, replaces natural teeth and provides support for the cheeks and lips.

Most dentures are made of acrylic and can be fabricated two different ways.

• An immediate denture is fabricated and inserted immediately after the teeth are extracted and the tissues are allowed to heal under the denture.
• Most patient choose to have 2-4 dental implants placed that the denture can attach to. The implants can be attached to a new denture, or an existing denture.
• An upper denture has acrylic, usually flesh colored, that covers the palate (roof of the mouth). However, a “palateless denture” can be fabricated if dental implants are placed as well. This option works well for people with a gag reflex or difficulty talking with a traditional denture.
• A lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to leave room for the tongue. It tends to be less retentive than upper denture since it has less “seal” and Dr. Hulings will almost always recommend implants to aid in the fit and retention.

Denture wearers’ lives can literally be changed by the addition of dental implants. You can count on your denture to remain in place during conversation and while eating without having to use messy adhesives.

Dentures over a normal course of time will wear and need to be replaced or relined in order to keep the jaw alignment normal. The alignment will slowly change as the bone and gum ridges recede or shrink due to the extraction of the teeth. Regular dentist examinations are still important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissues can be checked for disease or change.