Losing multiple missing teeth can make a big difference in the look, function, and health of your teeth. Dentures are a common restorative dentistry option that replace missing teeth and surrounding gum tissue. Horizon Family Dental Care offers high-quality full, partial, and implant dentures in Baltimore, MD. Whether you have rows or arches of missing teeth, we can accommodate your needs. Today’s dentures offer an effective solution for tooth loss and are more natural-looking than ever before.
About Full and Partial Dentures
Traditional full and partial dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth. Dentures consist of bases and false teeth in a denture lab from impressions of patients’ teeth. The denture base connects the false teeth to the soft tissues of the gum.
What are Full Dentures?
Full dentures are for patients who are missing an entire row of teeth. We can use them for the upper or lower jaw. They consist of an acrylic base covered by false teeth.
We will custom-design the piece to fit over the gums. We secured it in place with the proper anatomical fit, a suctioning effect, and muscle control. You can also use a specific adhesive if you need additional security.
What are Partial Dentures?
A partial denture is similar to a complete denture but only replaces a few teeth instead of the whole arch. The framework consists of the replacement teeth attached to a gum-colored plastic base. Metal brackets clamp onto the remaining teeth to anchor the piece in place. We will custom-design it to fit the contours of your gums and gaps.
What are Immediate Dentures?
Immediate or same-day dentures are restorations that we will provide after we remove severely damaged or infected teeth. We can create these dentures so you will not be without teeth as you wait for your final restoration. You will wear these temporary dentures as the dental lab works on your custom dentures.
Denture Care and Adjustment
New dentures, partial or complete, will feel bulky and uncomfortable in the mouth at first. Some patients may even develop sores in the mouth. It will take some time to adjust to wearing and using it. A precise fit precise fit will ensure a smooth transition.
Adjusting to dentures will take some time and patience. We will give you specific instructions to follow for wearing them. Eating will be difficult at first. However, if you start with soft foods and gradually introduce harder foods, you should be able to adjust. For most patients, it takes at least a month to adjust to dentures. However, it may take longer for some patients.
How To Care for Dentures
Caring for your new prosthesis is vital to its longevity. It will also help maintain your oral health. You must remove your dentures daily for cleaning and to rest your gums.
Brush them with a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive cleaner to remove food particles and plaque. We suggest not wearing them while you sleep. Instead, soak them in water or a mild denture-soaking solution to maintain their shape and prevent cracking. Rinse them before wearing them again.
Denture Maintenance
Regular maintenance is vital to ensuring your dentures fit and work properly. Dentures will begin to loosen over time due to bone loss in the jaw and endure everyday wear and tear. Properly maintaining your dentures is simple when you visit your dentist regularly.
Our dentist will inspect your prosthesis at every appointment and inform you if repairs are necessary. You must inform our dentist if your denture does not fit properly anymore. A poor fitting restoration can result in inflammation of the tissue under the denture and other oral health issues. As the fit of your denture changes, common repairs include relining or rebasing the dentures.
When we reline dentures, we add new material to the inside surface of the denture to improve its fit against the gums. Rebasing dentures involves replacing the acrylic base with new material while keeping the existing false teeth.
What are Denture Implants?
While traditional dentures are a great choice for patients missing most or all of their teeth, denture implants offer more benefits. This solution uses two to eight dental implants to secure a denture on the top or bottom arch.
Dental implants are titanium posts that a dentist must surgically place in the jaw bone. The metal fixtures will fuse to the bone over a few months. Here, they will act as replacement tooth roots and create a durable platform for custom dental restoration.
Before we place implants, we will ensure you are a good candidate for implant surgery. You must be in good oral health and have enough healthy jawbone to support the implant posts.
Because implants restore missing teeth at the root, they offer patients better stability and comfort compared to traditional dentures. Once the natural jaw bone grows around the implant posts, it will stay permanently in your mouth.
Implant-supported dentures reduce the risk of slipping or movement, for a more natural feel and chewing ability. Unlike removable dentures, implant dentures will not slip around the mouth. Because implants help restore bite function, they can help you bite and chew. You do not have to restrict yourself to soft foods once you get used to your final restoration.
While implant dentures have a longer treamtent time and costs more, they last longer. Dentures that use implant for support can last 15 to 20 years.
Schedule a Consultation for Dentures in Baltimore, MD
Horizon Family Dental Care offers several types of dentures in Baltimore, MD. Contact our Baltimore dentist’s office or request an appointment online today. You can discuss all your options with our dentist to determine which one is best for you.
Let us know if you have questions about denture treatment. We will be happy to help answer your questions at your next visit.