A Denture or a complete denture as it is often called, is an appliance that is inserted in the mouth, replaces natural teeth and provides support for the cheeks and lips.
Immediate dentures - What are they?
For patients not looking to replace missing teeth with dental implants and who would like to avoid the embarrassment of living without teeth they may choose immediate dentures. The dentist will begin the preparation for these dentures before your teeth are extracted.
Firstly the dentist will take impressions of your existing teeth and gums. This will allow him to create an exact replica for placement of dentures after your tooth removal. When your teeth are extracted your dentures are inserted into your mouth creating a natural smile.
Important facts about immediate dentures you should know
There is no way to check the fit of your dentures before the extraction of your teeth. Sometimes the dentist may have to make compromises in order to compensate for a lack of space within the patients mouth.
After extraction of your teeth
It is important that you follow all post-operative care given to you by your dentist. An unfortunate fact about dental extraction is that your gums and bones will recede and you will need to have regular check- ups with Dr Mokhtar in order to for him to monitor the healing of your gums and reduce problems.
Dr Mokhtar may need to use tissue conditioners or temporary linings so that he can create an optimal fit . These may need to be readjusted or replaced a number of times during the healing period. Eventually he will need to permanently reline your dentures to ensure that you have an exact and comfortable fit once the healing process is over.
Dr Mokhtar will always advise you of the procedure that best suits you needs and may prescribe temporary liners and tissue conditioners. These may have separate fees.
Call today for a Denture Consultation 718-739-0900
Partial dentures – What exactly is a removable partial denture
A removable partial denture is an exact design that is designed to fit the patients and can replace one or more missing teeth. A patient can have their natural appearance restored and the return of their speech clarity. They may now also be able to eat more efficiently.
Partial Denture Types and Materials
Partial dentures are composed of a metal and acrylic composition or they can be composed completely out of acrylic. The dentist must first understand the patient’s needs and their anatomy. This will influence the design of the partial denture. During the composition of the denture a huge effort goes into creating a partial denture that is self-cleansing and will preserve the teeth and oral tissues.
Dr Mokhtar can design partial dentures so that distribution of the patients chewing forces are evenly distributed over the total surface of a patients teeth and soft tissues. Dr Mokhtar may recommend making changes to your remaining teeth in order to equalize these forces.
Dr Mokhtar may recommend metal partial dentures as they are structurally superior being more thinner an d more hygienic than an acrylic partial. Acrylic partials are normally used as a transitional or temporary partial. Dr Mokhtar will advise you of the best partial denture at the time of your consultation.
The Benefits of Partial Dentures
There are many benefits to having partial dentures. Below is a list of the main benefits although they are not to be without their problems and Dr Mokhtar will always recommend dental implants over dentures for the ability of a patient to have fixed teeth and to prevent bone loss.
This can cause three different side-effects:
Implant Retained Dentures
It is now possible to replace missing teeth with implant retained dentures.
When a patient loses a tooth it is always best for the patient to have the tooth replaced with an implants in order to reduce bone loss. There are many drawbacks in having missing teeth the main one being the change in a patients bite as well as a change in their ability to eat, speak and chew. The increase in chewing pressure can place a burden on your remaining teeth and can cause jew pain and headaches – this is know as TMJ. Unfortunately losing teeth can also affect your appearance.
Many patients find that they have no problem in wearing an upper denture, however they find it difficult to wear and eat with lower dentures. A more rigid form of dentures whereby they are fixed and supported by implants is the ‘implant retained denture’.
If I am missing all of my lower teeth, what sort of denture is best suited towards me?
The Ball Attachment Denture
When the option is given the patient has two implants placed in their lower jaw and a denture made that snaps onto these implants. This allows your lower denture to be more stable while chewing. There can still be slight movement of your lower denture and a patient may experience sore spots if small food particles become caught under it. You will still need periodic adjustments for denture adjustments.
Another option available to patients involves placing between four to six dental implants, depending on your jaw size or shape into your lower jaw. Once the healing process is completed the implants are with a custom made support bar. The denture is made with special retention clips. These attach onto the support bar and enable the denture to snap firmly into place. This is known as an over-denture and it has its advantages. The main advantage is that it is much more stable than the first option and allows for very little denture movement. Your denture can still be removed for easy cleaning and maintenance.
Bar Attachment Denture
A third option involves placing five or more implants in your jaw and attaching a permanent denture. Your denture is held in place by screws or clasps that secure it to the support posts or bar. It doesn’t touch the gum tissue, which allows you to clean under the denture without removing it. This denture will replace all your missing lower teeth and will not be removed except at maintenance visits. Although cleaning under your denture without removing it is more time consuming and requires more dexterity, many patients who want a permanent denture prefer this option.
What If a patient is missing all of their upper teeth?
If a patient is missing all of their upper teeth there is a similar treatment option available for the upper jaw. However the bone here is not as hard as the bone in the lower jaw, therefore people often need more implants to support their new replacement teeth. Depending on the number of implants that need to be placed it might be possible to avoid covering a patients mouth with a complete denture. This will allow a patient to fully taste their food and even be able to feel the temperature of the food. The denture will feel more natural in the patients mouth. I will still be a removable denture and the support bar and denture will be easy to clean.
The Benefits of Implant Retained Dentures