Full and Partial Dentures
Our Services
Missing Teeth?
Missing teeth can be a serious problem when it begins to affect someone’s ability to eat the foods that they once enjoyed. Or maybe it makes you reluctant to smile. Missing teeth can also cause you to overuse and put too much pressure on the remaining teeth. These are just a few of the reasons why full and partial dentures are available options at Waters Family Dentistry. These restorative treatments can be used to replace multiple missing teeth, or even an entire arch of teeth.
Full Dentures
Full, or complete dentures replace all the teeth in the arch. They can be used to replace top, bottom or both arches. Complete dentures require multiple appointments to fabricate properly, but when we follow these steps we get the best possible fit, look and feel for a denture. Denture tooth size and color are customized to suit each patient individually, and care is taken to make the denture look very natural. Top dentures tend to be a bit easier to adjust to because they suction against the palate and gain a better fit. Lower dentures do not have the advantage of the palate, and are more difficult to adjust to. Many patients would benefit from at least two implants helping to hold the lower denture in place.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are used to replace a tooth or segment of missing teeth. They are also removable appliances and should be taken out at night while sleeping. They are traditionally made using a strong metal framework, with natural looking teeth attached to pink, gum colored acrylic. Partials are held in place by wires, or clasps, that hook to the remaining natural teeth. In certain cases, we can remove the metal all together and make an all pink partial denture out of a semi flexible material. These can be a very esthetic solution to missing teeth, blending in and making you feel like smiling again.
Implant Supported Dentures
Implants can sometimes be used to add support to a full denture or a partial denture. Implants have to have a good area of stable and healthy bone to be placed into. Once the implant is stabilized, a matching piece can be embedded in the denture that snaps to the implant, adding retention. This can be of particular benefit for lower full dentures, which many times present a challenge to the dentist and patient.