Full & partial dentures give patients in Alliston, ON a reason to smile

 
Full & partial dentures are a time-tested method to replace missing teeth, but materials and techniques continue to evolve. Today, denture fit and aesthetics far surpass those of false teeth from earlier times. If you are in the Alliston, ON area and have missing teeth or need extractions, Dr. Oksana Vozna encourages you to schedule a denture consultation at Dominion Street Dental today.

What are dentures?

A denture is a framework that contains artificial teeth to replace those that are missing. Most dentures are removable.

While a dentist may refer to “making dentures,” he or she actually designs the prosthetic. The denture itself is made in a dental laboratory using a precise technique that results in highly-individualized fit and appearance.

A variety of materials are used to fabricate dentures. Most dentures have a rigid acrylic base shaded pink to look like gum tissue. It is shaped from impressions of your mouth to fit over the bony ridge. Teeth are made of acrylic, with natural-looking shape and size.

Some dentures are made from cast thermoplastic materials. They are thin, lightweight, and flexible for comfort, but are not as durable as acrylics. Premium dentures may have a metal framework covered with acrylic. Each tooth is handcrafted of porcelain and placed individually into the arch. This type of denture is heavier, and thus requires a little more adaptation. However, it looks very natural and is sturdy.

Types of dentures

At Dominion Street Dental, you have multiple denture options, customized to meet your needs and fit your budget and lifestyle.

• A partial denture replaces one or several teeth – in a row or at various locations in the arch. It is held securely with clips that fasten to existing teeth. A partial denture is removable for easy cleaning.
• A full denture replaces all teeth in the arch. A lower one is horseshoe-shaped to allow free tongue movement, while an upper full denture usually covers the palate. Natural suction and cheek muscles keep “floating” dentures in place.
• “Complete dentures” describes a set consisting of an upper and a lower prosthetic. They work together to restore appearance and oral function for a person who has no natural teeth.
• An immediate denture is designed and fabricated from impressions of your mouth taken before teeth are removed. The denture is inserted on the day of extractions. It helps to protect the mouth and you do not have to go without teeth during the healing period. However, the shape of your mouth changes as it recovers. Thus, when healing is complete the immediate denture is relined or replaced.
• Implant-retained denture – The most common complaint of denture-wearers is instability. When fit or bite is not ideal, the denture may wobble, slip, pop out unexpectedly, or cause discomfort. That makes it difficult to chew food and speak with confidence. It also rubs sore spots on gum tissue. Sloppy denture fit can happen over time, even with a well-made, quality denture. It is not because the denture wears out. Rather, change in fit is the result of facial structures shifting with age, primarily reduction in bone mass. Bone diminishes when it loses the stimulation provided by roots of natural teeth. Dental implants act as a substitute, helping to maintain bone density, while stabilizing the denture. A full denture can be firmly anchored by placing as few as four dental implants in an arch. An overdenture fits over the healing implants so you have teeth during the healing process. When implants are fully healed, the denture is adjusted so attachments clip over implant abutments for a dramatic increase in stability. Implant-supported dentures are usually removable, but in some cases, they may be affixed.

The denture process

You should expect several visits over the course of a few months to finalize full dentures. However, the investment of time is well worth it for a smile that looks and feels good.

With the exception of immediate dentures, Dr. Vozna begins with impressions of your gums, after extractions (if any were needed) have healed. A technique called wax rims is used to establish proper orientation of the upper to lower arch. This is known as occlusion or bite. Together, you and Dr. Vozna select the shape and size of the denture, and choose the color of teeth. This information and the impressions go to a denture laboratory.

“Try-in” is an exciting and critical step:

• The lab sends a wax mockup of your denture
• You insert it to be sure you are satisfied with the feel, fit, and overall look of the denture
• Dr. Vozna makes modifications if needed, and may schedule another try-in to ensure your satisfaction

Then, the lab makes your final denture. You return to Dominion Street Dental for fitting and final adjustments. A follow-up is scheduled so that fit and bite can be further adjusted after you have worn the denture for a few weeks.

Resolving common denture problems

Do you suffer with loose dentures? Or perhaps you would like to have implant-retained dentures but have been told by a dentist that you do not have adequate bone? Dr. Vozna offers long-lasting solutions for these concerns.

With contemporary bone grafting materials and bone regeneration techniques, the ridge of hard tissue underlying gums can be augmented and re-contoured. This oral surgery is performed on site at Dominion Street Dental, and does not require general anesthetic. As a result of the procedure, supplemented bone grows thicker and wider, stabilizing denture fit. It may also improve appearance, helping to restore a more natural distance from nose to chin, and offsetting a pinched or sunken lower portion of the face.

With bone grafting and regeneration, most people in reasonably good health can become candidates for implant-supported dentures.

Providing full & partial dentures for patients in the Alliston, ON area is an extremely rewarding part of practice for Dr. Vozna. She would love to help you find your smile again. Call (705) 435-4124 for an appointment.