Dentures – Lakewood, TX

Effects of Missing Teeth

There are several factors, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and trauma, that can lead to tooth loss. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, there are multiple negative effects of missing teeth, including facial sagging, speech difficulties, eating challenges, and lower self-esteem.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

Whether you’re struggling with mild to severe tooth loss, dentures are likely a viable option for you. This time-tested treatment has helped countless patients for decades, enhancing confidence in eating, talking, and smiling. However, if you have pre-existing issues like gum disease or tooth decay, they must be addressed beforehand. Additionally, it’s incredibly important for you to have a strong jawbone to prevent complications like ill-fitting dentures and gum sores.

The specific type of denture we recommend will depend on the number of missing teeth. Our team typically suggests partial, full, or implant dentures based on your unique circumstances. A significant benefit of this treatment is that it’s more budget-friendly compared to alternative options, making it an ideal choice for those with financial considerations.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

Not a good candidate for traditional dentures? Don’t worry, there are alternative treatments to consider for replacing your missing teeth! You can explore these solutions:

• Dental Bridges – This option is ideal for patients with one or several missing teeth in a row. Dental bridges use pontics to bridge the gap, secured by dental crowns attached to adjacent natural teeth on either side.
• Dental Implants – This involves surgically inserting titanium posts into your jawbone to anchor new teeth to your facial structure, providing optimal stability and function. Successful implementation requires sufficient jawbone density and healthy gums, and it involves a minor surgical procedure. However, the results can last for decades with proper care.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

What are Dentures Made Of?

Generally speaking, dentures come in two parts: the base and teeth. Here is what you can expect from each component:

• Denture Base: This is the gum-colored foundation that will hold your new teeth in place. Our team will take accurate impressions of your mouth so that your prosthetics fit perfectly atop your gum line. The material can be constructed out of things like acrylic, nylon, resin, or porcelain, such as with full dentures, as well as metal, like with the clasps in partial dentures.
• Replacement Teeth: Your artificial pearly whites will typically be made out of either resin or porcelain—both of which can mimic the appearance of natural teeth. That said, porcelain is usually used due to its durability and longevity, especially for full dentures.

The Denture Creation Process

Dentures involve a multi-faceted creation process that is meant to guarantee that they’ll be specifically tailored for every patient’s dental needs. Here’s what to expect from the treatment plan:

1. Our team will take impressions of your current smile (both gumlines) as well as your jaw. These will be used to construct a replica of your mouth so that your final dentures are shaped and sized precisely like they need to be to feel natural for you.
2. We’ll send this plaster model to a dental lab so they can make a wax replica of your gums. There, the technician will place artificial teeth in the wax using an articulator before shaping/carving the material so it appears exactly like your gumline.
3. These wax dentures will be sent to us for a fitting. If all looks well, they’ll be sent back for completion. This portion of the process involves placing the wax dentures in a holding device (flask), where plaster will be poured in to maintain the shape of the denture before placing the entire flask into hot water to boil the wax off.
4. Holes will then be made into the teeth and acrylic injected into the flask to switch with the wax. The lab technician will then use special tools to remove the plaster from the dentures before placing the prosthetics into an ultrasonic bath to get rid of the remaining material.
5. The acrylic will then be cut and shaved off the dentures before polishing them. Once completed, you’ll return to our office to have your new teeth fitted. After making any necessary minor adjustments, you can be sure to fully enjoy your new bite.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

It’s quite normal to experience mild discomfort and soreness when first wearing your new dentures. After some time and practice with speaking and eating, they should eventually feel much more natural. To make this adjustment process smoother, try sticking with softer foods, experimenting with denture adhesive, enunciating difficult sounds or words, and working out your facial muscles daily. Speak with our team if you notice any concerns or problems, and we’ll be glad to help.

Improved Appearance

Decades prior, dentures were bulky and obvious. That’s no longer the case! Now, restorations are custom-made for each patient to ensure they fit comfortably, suit their face shape, and look just like the real thing. Not only that, but only the best dental materials are used. So, if you choose this tooth-replacement solution, you won’t have any problem showing off your new smile with complete confidence!

Restored Functionality

If you are struggling with tooth loss, then you know the negative impact even just one or two missing teeth can have on your speaking patterns. Fortunately, dentures can help in that department as well. By filling in the gaps in your smile or replacing an entire arch of teeth, this tooth-replacement solution allows you to speak clearly again, improving your confidence and helping your relationships in the process.

Easily Replace a Large Number of Missing Teeth

Dentures are hands down one of the best tooth-replacement options for patients who are missing an entire arch or all of their teeth. That’s largely because, in most cases, the entire process can be completed in a matter of weeks. That said, there are some exceptions, which is why the initial consultation is so important. Once we know a little more about your dental needs, smile goals, and oral health, we can provide you with an estimate of your treatment timeline.

Cost-Effective

When it comes to tooth replacement options, dentures are typically the most affordable one. Plus, your dental insurance may even cover a portion of the cost, lowering your out-of-pocket expenses even further. Rest assured, we will review all of the financial information at your appointment – from the upfront cost to the payment options we welcome. That way, the financial side of your treatment doesn’t cause you any stress.

Improved Diet

Another considerable perk: dentures help restore some of the strength of your bite that you lost. So, not only will chewing be more comfortable, but you can enjoy a full, varied diet again! As your dental team, all we ask is that you exercise caution with extremely crunchy foods, that you cut chewier foods into smaller pieces, like steak, and that you keep added sugar to a minimum to keep your oral health in tip-top shape.

Ready to replace those missing teeth? Start your journey towards a complete smile by giving us a call and scheduling your consultation today.

Removeable Dentures

Remove After Eating

After each meal, it is important to remove and rinse off your dentures. This will help prevent the buildup of plaque and food debris.

Never use hot water to clean your dentures, as the heat can warp them and cause them to stop fitting properly.

Clean Your Restoration

Remove your dentures to clean them. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and small amount of unscented hands soap, mild dish soap, or denture cleanser, gently brush them. Never use toothpaste, as it is too abrasive for dentures.

If you aren’t planning on wearing your dentures again for a while, place them in a container of denture soak or plain water so they do not dry out.

Always rinse them thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth, as these products are not meant to be ingested.

Keep Your Dentures Safe

When cleaning your dentures, be sure to place a towel underneath them just in case you accidentally drop them. This will reduce the risk of damage. 

Keep your dentures out of the reach of small children and pets.

Remove When You Sleep

When you first get your new dentures, your dentist will have you keep them in your mouth for the first 24 hours. Once the first day has passed, you should begin to remove them each night before bed. Wearing dentures will restrict the circulation in your gums, which can lead to soft-tissue irritation. Sleeping with dentures has also been associated with higher risk of pneumonia and higher levels of plaque on the gums and tongue.

Always store your dentures in a denture soaking solution or water overnight. If you allow them to dry out, they can become permanently damaged.

Notice Changes

It is important to be on the lookout for changes in your oral health so you can address them with your dentist. This includes things like mouth sores, gum irritation, and signs of infection. If your dentures become damaged, never try to repair them yourself. This could cause further damage. Instead, please call Dental Center of Lakewood as soon as possible.

If you notice your dentures are shifting, clicking, or showing other signs of improper fit, let us know, as they may need to be relined or replaced.

How Long Will You Have to Wait to Get Dentures After Your Teeth Are Pulled?

For most patients, the average wait time to receive dentures after getting their teeth extracted is between six to eight weeks. However, the exact amount of time needed depends on your unique case and the type of denture in question. It may seem like a long time to go without teeth, but it’s incredibly important that you allow your gums to heal to ensure the dentures fit properly. Immediate dentures can be placed on the same day as an extraction, but they’ll need to be switched out eventually as the shape of your jawbone changes while you heal. If you’re getting implant dentures, you’ll need to wait about four to six months for the post to fuse with the surrounding bone tissue via osseointegration.

Can You Sleep with Your Dentures?

When you first get your dentures, you’ll be asked to keep them in your mouth for an entire 24 hours, including sleep. But after that, you should take them out every evening when you go to bed. If you wear your prosthetics for too long, it can restrict the circulation in your gums and lead to soft tissue irritation, potentially speeding up ridge resorption. By taking your dentures out regularly, you give your gums a chance to recover and get the nutrients they need during the night. Additionally, sleeping with dentures is associated with a higher risk of pneumonia, poor oral hygiene, and higher levels of gum and tongue plaque.

Is It Hard to Talk with Dentures?

Initially, you’ll find it challenging to speak with dentures because you’re so used to talking with your natural teeth. Many patients develop a mild lisp or another speech impediment when they first get their dentures. Luckily, these alterations will go away the more you practice and the quicker you adjust to your new prosthetics. To speed up the process, you can try reading aloud, having more conversations with loved ones, and repeating difficult-to-pronounce words. If you need extra stability, you can use denture adhesive while you’re adjusting.

Will Dentures Change the Shape of Your Face?

Missing teeth can cause your facial muscles to sag, giving your face a sunken appearance. By getting dentures in Dallas, you’ll be providing support to the collapsed facial muscles and preserving a fuller, more youthful appearance. Since ill-fitting dentures do not give your facial muscles proper support, it’s incredibly important that each restoration fits perfectly in your mouth. As soon as you realize your oral appliance doesn’t fit right, you should have it refitted or replaced right away.