What are removable complete dentures?
Removable complete dentures are a full set of artificial teeth that fit over the gums and can be removed when you are not using them. There are two types of removable dentures: conventional and immediate.
Conventional Removable Dentures
Conventional removable dentures are for those who are missing all their teeth. If you need to have teeth removed before fitting your dentures, it may take four to six weeks for your gums to heal, and three to six months for the jaw bone to remodel its shape.
Immediate Dentures
During this healing and bone remodeling period, you may choose to be fitted with immediate dentures that are made in advance and placed in your mouth immediately after your teeth are removed. These types of dentures provide you with chewing ability while your gums are healing.
What are the characteristics of a complete denture?
The upper full denture has an acrylic, flesh-colored area that covers the roof of your mouth (your palate). The lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe and is open to leave room for your tongue. The teeth for the upper and lower dentures are connected by a chemical bond and physical interlocking.
What are the benefits of wearing complete dentures?
Missing teeth can cause problems with both your appearance and overall health. Here are several benefits of complete dentures:
- Protects Gum Tissue: When teeth are missing, your soft gum tissue is vulnerable to damage from food that may be hard or extremely crunchy. Full dentures will help protect your gums from injury.
- Prevents Facial Sagging: When teeth are missing, this can result in facial pain and can even change the shape and integrity of your facial features. Dentures can help provide fullness of facial features.
- Avoids Implant Surgery: If permanent full implant-supported dentures do not appeal to you, full-arch complete dentures may be your best option. Dentures are easy to remove when not in use or when you need to clean them.
Who should consider wearing complete dentures?
- You're Missing Most or All Teeth: Those who have few or no teeth in their mouth and who still have enough healthy gum tissue and jawbone.
- You Desire Better Functionality: You find that you are having difficulty speaking or chewing your favorite foods with your limited number of natural teeth.
- You'd Like Better Esthetics: Those who want to feel confident when they speak and smile.
- You Want to Avoid Surgery: Patients who are opposed to invasive surgery (which is necessary for dental implants) and prefer using a removable prosthesis, or those who are not eligible for dental implants for medical reasons.
What happens during a denture fitting appointment?
Step 1 – Consultation
An initial consultation with your prosthodontist will be scheduled so that he can conduct a detailed evaluation of your mouth, any remaining teeth you may have, and your overall health. Your medical and dental history will also be reviewed to ensure that the best plan can be put into place for you. A mold of your upper and lower jaws will be taken so that a special impression tray can be custom-made to fit your mouth.
Step 2 – Rectifying Oral Health Issues
Any oral health issues, such as gum disease, will need to be addressed before you can be fitted for complete dentures. At this stage, any teeth that are still present will be extracted. Your gums will need to heal before you are fitted for your dentures, which can take four to six weeks. You can opt for immediate dentures to provide you with chewing ability during this time.
Step 3 – Secondary Impressions
On a follow-up visit, secondary impressions will be taken using your custom-made special trays to obtain the exact anatomy of your mouth. This is used to make the denture base that follows your jaw anatomy.
Step 4 – Bite Mold
A wax bite mold is taken to determine the relationship between your upper and lower jaw. These molds are then sent to our in-house lab so that a trial denture can be crafted that will reflect the exact shape and position of your finished dentures. At this visit, we will help you choose the color and quality of the teeth for your new dentures.
Step 5 – Try-In Appointment
When your wax-based trial dentures return from the lab, a try-in appointment with your prosthodontist will be necessary to assess the shape, fit, color, and appearance before your final dentures are crafted. Adjustments will be made if necessary so that your new dentures will fit properly and are comfortable to wear. Speech, esthetics, and bite will be assessed and confirmed to the highest possible standard. The lab then creates your final set of full dentures.
Step 6 – Final Fitting
When your final dentures are finished, you will return to your prosthodontist to ensure that they fit properly and are comfortable to wear. If all goes well, you can take your removable dentures home. After you have worn them for a while, if any adjustments are necessary, you can call our office for a follow-up appointment.
Looking for complete dentures in Rochester, NY? Visit Dental Prosthodontics of Rochester
If you'd like more information, Dental Prosthodontics of Rochester will help give you the most comfortable, natural-looking smile. Complete dentures are just one way to restore your missing teeth — if you are interested in an alternative, implant-supported dentures are also available. Call us today at (585) 522-1922 to schedule a consultation, or click the link below.