Dentures

Generally referred to as false teeth, dentures are prosthetic appliances that are specifically created to replace lost teeth. Dentures come in an assortment of designs; there are complete dentures which are designed to replace a full set of adult teeth and partial dentures that teeth replace a particular number of teeth or a single tooth. They are replacements that help with chewing and speaking and are also used for aesthetic reasons if you can't get a dental bridge due to limitations.

How are dentures made?

Dentures are made up of a variety of conventional dental materials. Porcelain and synthetic materials are typical, but more advanced options include hard resin. Depending on your needs, your dentures may be tailored to be more comfortable, provide better functionality and give you the desired aesthetic.

Irrespective of the materials, dentures are more delicate than your actual teeth. For example, they are more inclined to chipping and cracking, especially if you accidentally drop them. The materials also tend to wear over time. Dentures need a fair amount of care.

Denture Care?

Like your actual teeth, you'll need to clean your dentures every day. Bacteria, tartar and plaque still build up on your dentures, which can harm your remaining natural teeth and your gums. In your final appointment, your dentist will provide you with specific instructions on how to clean and care for your false teeth.

Do not use any other detergents, regular toothpaste or an electric toothbrush on your dentures. These products are excellent for natural teeth but have the opposite effect on false teeth. Products like these are too harsh and can wear denture material out prematurely. Soak your dentures and brush them with a soft-bristled brush and nonabrasive denture cleaner. Soaking them will ensure that they hold moisture so that they keep their shape.

Partial Dentures

A removable partial denture is an option when you need replacement teeth for either functional or aesthetic reasons. If you cannot have dental bridges due to structural or financial limitations, this is a viable solution for you.

In some instances, a removable partial denture attaches to your natural teeth with devices called precision attachments. A partial denture may have a metal frame and clasps that attach to the surrounding teeth, or they may have other, more natural looking connections.

Here’s what you can expect

Your dentist will give you special instructions about how long you should wear dentures for dentures and when you should remove them. Your dentist may advise you to wear them all the time, although it could be uncomfortable at first. If there is any discomfort, the dentures may need adjustments in those areas. A partial denture can also help improve your speech, but it may take a while to get used to wearing them.

Types of partial dentures

  • Cast metal removable partial denture.
  • Acrylic removable partial denture.
  • Flexible partial denture.
  • Fixed bridge.
  • Implant-supported fixed bridge.

Cerec

CEREC® is a modern solution for restorations.

Traditionally, if a tooth were damaged or stained, we would need to take an impression of the tooth and surrounding teeth using dental putty.

We would also need to take measurements, and these would get sent to the dental lab, who would create the restoration - usually a dental veneer or dental crown. In the meantime, we would prepare the damaged tooth by removing a portion of the enamel and placing a temporary restoration.

Patients wear the temporary restoration for a week or two and would then need to come back to place the permanent one. The two biggest challenges are time and convenience. The conventional process takes a lot of time and is very inconvenient due to the need for multiple dental appointments and the temporary, unreliable restoration.

CEREC® CAD/CAM is much less invasive and delivers durable, natural looking crowns quickly and efficiently. You can say goodbye to impressions, temporaries, and ill-fitting permanent crowns because the CEREC® CAD/CAM system uses state of the art, digital imaging, so you get an exact fit without all the mess.