Dentures – Bedford, TX

Effects of Missing Teeth

Teeth can be lost as a result from injury, infections like tooth loss or gum disease, or even genetic causes. Tooth loss is known to cause a variety of issues such as difficulty with speaking and chewing, facial sagging, bone loss in the jaw, and diminished self-esteem. These issues can make it hard to enjoy yourself at social gatherings or even simply smile confidently at loved ones. Missing teeth can also make the remaining teeth more likely to be injured by unevenly redistributing the pressure of chewing or allowing food debris to be caught in the empty spaces. Both of these can lead to oral infections.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

Dentures can be an excellent option for those who have lost teeth or deal with issues like dental sensitivity or extensive decay as long as they have healthy gum tissue and sufficient jawbone density. Patients will also need to commit to maintaining their oral health and their appliances with proper hygiene methods.

The denture that can best suit your needs depends on how many teeth you have lost. Partial dentures are great for those who have lost one or a few teeth while full dentures are best for those who have lost all or almost all of their teeth. Implant dentures can be an ideal option for those who wish for their appliances to fit more securely so they can chew and speak more easily. Dentures are also often more affordable than other tooth-replacement methods, which can make them great for those on a budget.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

If you aren’t a good candidate for dentures, you can still explore other tooth-replacement options. Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed in the jawbone, where they fuse with the surrounding bone structure through the natural process of osseointegration. After an implant is placed, a crown made from high-quality materials that mimic the appearance of real teeth is attached to it above the gumline. While dental implants are more expensive than traditional options, they are permanent and can exert almost all of the same chewing force as real teeth. Some patients even use dental implants to secure their dentures in place for a superior hold.

Learn More About Dental Implants

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures can be used in place of other tooth replacement options when the surrounding teeth are too weak to support structures like dental bridges or when more than one tooth is missing. Partial dentures will fit on the gumline and attach to nearby natural teeth to ensure that they don’t fall out of their place. They don’t have to be attached permanently and can be easily removed for cleaning and sleep.

Full Dentures

Full dentures are also known as complete dentures, and they replace all your natural teeth. They can be fitted to your top or bottom arch and are held in place with suction. Their stability can sometimes also be improved using an oral adhesive. They can be easily removed, just like partial dentures.

Implant Dentures

These dentures are fixed to the jawbone by dental implants, as the name suggests. Dental implants are permanent fixtures that attach to the jawbone. They can replace any number of missing teeth. The implant is made up of a metal post (usually made from titanium), an abutment, and a custom-made crown that looks like a natural tooth. Implant dentures can be attached in a variety of ways, but they should be treated and cared for in the same way as traditional dentures.

Learn More About Dental Implants

What Materials are Dentures Made From?

Whether you get partial or full dentures, they’re typically crafted using acrylic and ceramic. For partial dentures, bases can also be made from metal. The acrylic is used to create the gum-colored base that fits atop the gumline. It will be color-matched to blend in with your gums and look completely natural. The tooth-colored material used to create the replacement teeth is usually ceramic, but it can also be made from resin or porcelain, depending on your preferences.

The Denture Creation Process

Once our team captures an impression of your mouth, we’ll send it off to the dental laboratory we work with to start the process of crafting your prosthetic. This process is typically completed in several routine steps:

1. After a model of your mouth is cast from the impressions, a wax or plastic model will be created of your denture to check that they fit your mouth well.
2. The model will then be placed in a mechanical device that mimics the jaw so it can be shaped to resemble your gums and teeth.
3. The dental lab technician will then create a plaster mold to maintain the shape of the denture before pouring hot water in it to melt away the wax.
4. The plaster mold will be filled with acrylic and other materials to replace the wax and create your permanent denture.
5. Excess acrylic will be trimmed off and the denture will be polished and put through an ultrasonic bath.
6. Your denture is then sent to our office so you can try it on and make sure it fits well.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

It’s important to set realistic expectations for your dentures, especially when you first get them. Their natural look will be spot on, but what many people don’t expect is the adjustment period to get used to the way they feel and function. This period takes place over the course of about 30 days as your facial muscles and gums get used to operating your new prosthetic. Some great ways to speed up your adjustment period are to read out loud to yourself and when eating, take small, easy-to-chew bites. If at any point you’re feeling like your dentures simply aren’t fitting as well as they could, don’t hesitate to give us a call.