Missing multiple teeth significantly impacts your ability to eat, speak, and smile confidently, affecting both your oral health and overall quality of life. When tooth loss occurs from decay, gum disease, or injury, dentures provide an effective solution that restores both function and appearance. Modern denture technology offers comfortable, natural-looking replacements that can dramatically improve your daily life and self-confidence.
At Rivers Dentistry, Dr. Connor Rivers creates custom dentures that fit comfortably and look naturally beautiful. Our meticulous approach combines advanced materials with precise craftsmanship, ensuring your dentures provide optimal function while enhancing your smile and facial support.
Complete dentures replace all teeth in the upper or lower arch when no natural teeth remain. These removable prosthetics rest on your gums and are held in place by suction and proper fit. Partial dentures fill the gaps left by missing teeth while preserving your remaining natural teeth, using clasps or precision attachments to stay securely in place.
The American Dental Association notes that dentures can benefit both your health and appearance by preventing your facial muscles from sagging and restoring eating and speaking function. Modern dentures are crafted from high-quality materials that provide durability and natural appearance, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.
Creating well-fitting dentures requires multiple appointments and careful attention to detail. The process begins with comprehensive examination and treatment planning to determine the best approach for your specific needs. Any remaining teeth that cannot be saved are extracted, and healing time is allowed before proceeding with denture fabrication.
Detailed impressions capture the exact contours of your mouth, including the shape of your gums and the position of your jaw joints. These impressions are used to create custom models that serve as the foundation for your dentures. Multiple fittings ensure proper fit, bite alignment, and natural appearance before your final dentures are completed.
Immediate dentures are placed immediately after tooth extraction, allowing you to maintain your appearance and basic function during healing. While convenient, immediate dentures require more frequent adjustments as your gums heal and change shape. These temporary prosthetics are typically replaced with conventional dentures after 3-6 months of healing.
Conventional dentures are made after your gums have completely healed from extractions, typically 8-16 weeks later. This approach allows for more precise fit and better retention since your tissues have stabilized. Conventional dentures generally provide superior comfort and function compared to immediate dentures.
Proper denture care is essential for maintaining oral health and prolonging the life of your prosthetics. Daily cleaning removes food particles and bacteria that can cause bad breath, gum irritation, and infections. Use denture-specific cleaning products and soft brushes to avoid damaging the denture materials.
Remove your dentures at night to allow your gums to rest and prevent bacterial overgrowth. Store them in water or denture solution to prevent warping and maintain their shape. Regular dental checkups allow us to monitor your oral health, adjust your dentures as needed, and identify any problems early.
Well-fitting dentures should stay in place without adhesives under normal circumstances. However, some patients have experienced severe bone shrinkage (atrophy), which can prevent even the most well-made denture from staying in place during function. These patients may only ever be comfortable with dental implants to “click in” to the dentures so they stay in the correct position during function. Other patients may prefer a completely “fixed” option, where 4-8 implants are placed and the dentures are screwed in to create a permanent solution.
Some patients can benefit and function well with denture adhesives on traditional dentures without implants. Use adhesives sparingly and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid overuse, which can interfere with proper fit. If your dentures require frequent use of adhesives to stay in place, they may need adjustment or replacement. Changes in your mouth structure over time can affect denture fit, making regular dental visits important for maintaining optimal function and comfort.
Adjusting to dentures requires patience and practice as you learn to eat and speak with your new prosthetics. Start with soft foods cut into small pieces, chewing slowly and using both sides of your mouth evenly. Gradually introduce harder foods as you become more comfortable with your dentures.
Speech may be affected initially as your tongue and muscles adjust to the presence of dentures. Practice reading aloud and speaking slowly to help your mouth adapt. Most patients adjust to speaking normally within a few weeks of receiving their dentures.
For patients seeking superior stability and retention, implant-supported dentures offer significant advantages over conventional dentures. Dental implants provide a secure foundation that eliminates slipping and sliding while allowing for more natural chewing function. This option requires adequate bone density and good overall health for successful implant placement.
Implant-supported dentures can be removable or fixed, depending on your preferences and clinical situation. Fixed implant dentures provide the most natural function but require more complex treatment, while removable implant dentures offer improved stability with easier maintenance.
While dentures provide effective tooth replacement, other options may be appropriate depending on your situation. Dental implants offer permanent tooth replacement with superior function and bone preservation. Partial dentures or bridges may be suitable for smaller areas of tooth loss while preserving remaining natural teeth.
We discuss all available options during your consultation, helping you choose the treatment that best meets your needs, lifestyle, and budget. Our goal is to help you achieve optimal oral health and function through personalized treatment planning.
Don’t let missing teeth limit your life or compromise your confidence. Modern dentures offer effective solutions that can restore your ability to eat, speak, and smile comfortably. Dr. Rivers and our experienced team are committed to creating dentures that fit well, look natural, and improve your quality of life.
Contact Rivers Dentistry today at (970) 963-3013 to schedule your denture consultation, or request an appointment online to begin your journey toward a complete, confident smile.
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