TREATMENTS

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.

A conventional denture is made after all teeth have been extracted and the tissues (gums) have healed.
An immediate denture is fabricated and inserted immediately after the teeth are extracted and the tissues are allowed to heal under the denture.
An upper denture has acrylic, usually flesh colored, that covers the palate (roof of the mouth).
A lower denture is shaped like the letter "U" to leave room for the tongue.

Dentures can be fabricated to fit over endodonticly treated teeth, or a complete denture can be attached to dental implants to allow for a more secure fit of the appliance. The denture that fits over endontically treated teeth or dental implants, is called an overdenture. Retaining endontically treated teeth or having dental implants placed, results in maintaining the heighth of bone for a longer period of time.

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 tooth loss. Regular dentist examinations are still important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissues can be checked for disease or change.