When we focus on our dental health, most of us do so with one goal in mind – keeping our own teeth and keeping them healthy. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, past injuries, trauma, or care issues can lead to tooth loss.
It’s a devastating reality and, if it’s happened to you, the chances are that you want to know what exactly you can do about it. And, that’s where dentures come in. Far from the dreaded solution that they used to be, dentures now save the smiles of around 41 million Americans. That’s a significant number, and it’s no surprise considering that the range of modern dentures provide many benefits, such as:
- Increased confidence
- Restored bite
- Improved ability to eat and chew
- Protection for your remaining teeth
Dr. Patel has extensive experience both in correcting damaged smiles or creating new ones. She’s treated a wide range of patients from our Orlando office and is on hand to help you towards a denture solution that sees you smiling again. But, you don’t need to take our word for it. Let’s consider your options, and what they could do for your dental health in general.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DENTURES?
Far from the one-size adhesive and ill-fitting dentures of old, there are now different types of dentures to suit your needs. Dr. Patel has experience in the full spectrum of denture solutions, and she’s on hand to help with options that include:
Full Dentures
Full dentures are probably what most of us think of when we consider the term dentures and are used in cases where a full arch of teeth is missing. In this instance, Dr. Patel may advise that the best course of action is to remove any remaining teeth and, effectively, start from scratch.
Though this may seem daunting, many patients find that it’s the best way to a smile worth showing off thanks to custom-made full rows of teeth on a realistic gum-colored base. What’s more, there are various full denture options depending on your requirements, such as:
- Conventional dentures – Dentures that are typically fitted 8-12 weeks after tooth removal. This ensures a longer-lasting fit thanks to healing time, but it is a long time to wait for some patients.
- Immediate dentures – In some cases immediate dentures are an option, allowing for a full smile immediately after tooth removal. However, as your gums heal, these dentures do often become loose and require relining much sooner.
These types of dentures can be fastened either through natural suction or adhesive denture cream depending on your preference, and will typically need relining every year or two.
Partial Dentures
If you’ve acted fast after losing just one or two teeth, then Dr. Patel may instead recommend partial dentures, which fill gaps without requiring tooth removal. This less obtrusive solution is ideal if you’re looking or a quick smile fix, and will still look incredibly natural. In this instance, Dr. Patel will fit the individual dentures to your remaining teeth using small metal clasps, or, if you prefer metal-free solutions, using flexible partial dentures from Valplast.
Implant-supported Dentures
Whether you’re seeking full or partial dentures, Dr. Patel also offers implant-supported dentures. In this instance, small titanium fixtures are used in place of the roots from your missing teeth, and dentures are then fixed in place for secure solutions that won’t require the relining of traditional options.
We’re proud to offer this modern solution here at Dynamic Smile Design, and already have many happy patients thanks to a range of benefits including:
- More natural resemblance
- Higher rate of acceptance
- Longer lasting results
- Quick and easy placements
- And more
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT AT YOUR APPOINTMENT?
Those may be your options, but what exactly does the denture process look like? You’re certainly in safe hands with Dr. Patel, who has over twenty years of experience in the field to put you at ease from the moment you step inside our office.
In the vast majority of cases, patients seeking dentures require several appointments, during which Dr. Patel will take the time to discover precisely which denture option would offer the best solution for you through a range of techniques including:
- Taking measurements and impressions of your jaw
- Creating models to ensure comfort, fit, and coloration
- Casting the final denture
- Embarking on your chosen fixture method
The length of time that this takes will very much depend on the types of dentures you’ve specifically chosen, but rest assured that Dr. Patel will work closely with you to help you understand potential timelines, and to make the process as easy as possible at every stage.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR DENTURES BECOME LOOSE?
Whether you opt for immediate full dentures or not, natural changes in our gums over time mean that the vast majority of dentures need relining after around two years. No matter how long it’s been since your fitting, it’s vital to contact Dr. Patel the moment you notice a loosening or shifting in your dentures. In this instance, there are a range of options that she may suggest, such as:
- A hard reline – Removing a thin layer of plastic from the denture’s interior surface, taking molds, and replacing with a new landscape of the mouth for a closer fit.
- A soft reline – A soft liner that acts as a cushion between the denture and oral tissues.
- Rebasing – The ‘teeth’ of your denture set will be replaced onto a new acrylic base.
- Repair – General repairs that can typically be made in the office.
CONTACT DYNAMIC SMILE DESIGN TO START SMILING AGAIN TODAY
Whether you’re interested in dental implants or simply want to hear a little more about your options, our team is here to advise you on precisely what dentures have to offer. Dr. Patel has helped countless patients towards the ideal dental solutions.
