Dentures are most prevalently associated with older people. However, young people also wear them. According to studies, tooth loss in adults has declined over the years. Even so, many people depend on dentures to enhance their smiles, speech, and capability to chew food comfortably. So if you think you will require them or wish to have them, know you are not alone.

At Los Angeles Advanced Dentistry, we provide the denture placement procedure for interested patients. Dentures replace lost teeth with custom-made prosthetic teeth. Our treatment is fast and efficient since we strive to use state-of-the-art dental equipment. We also offer other types of tooth replacement options. Call us for a consultation.

Dentures Overview

Dentures are false teeth that fit over gums and replace missing teeth in the lower jaw, upper jaw, or both. These dental appliances are removable. Dental technicians can mold them from porcelain, metal, nylon, resin, and acrylic materials. If you use dentures, you need to look after them carefully and clean them regularly.

Types of Dental Dentures

Dentures come in different types. No matter why you have lost your teeth, there is a denture option to restore function and confidence. The type of dentures ideal for you is based on your dental health needs. The various types of dentures are

Full or Complete Dentures

Complete dentures are an option for people who have lost all or most of their teeth. They replace a whole arch of missing teeth.

Since the denture base must fit snugly against your gums, the dentist may have to extract any remaining teeth before taking impressions. A complete denture rests over the gums and depends on the lower jawbone ridge or palate for support. After the dentist properly fits the denture, they will use an adhesive to keep it firmly in position. You will remove them each night and clean them.

Complete dentures are mostly what people think of when talking about conventional dentures. They comprise a base with gum color and artificial teeth. Patients who use dentures often remove them at night to wash them and allow their gums to relax.

Partial Dentures

Not all cases of missing teeth are extreme enough to necessitate a complete denture. When you have most or several (not all) teeth missing in both or one jaw, a dentist may evaluate your case and recommend partial dentures. Partial dentures resemble complete dentures since they, too, depend on the underlying bone and gums for support. However, the difference is that partial dentures have special clips that clasp around the remaining original teeth, giving additional stability. That said, partial dentures comprise the following:

  • A pink artificial root matching the gums’ color
  • False teeth to replace the missing ones
  • A wire, clasp, or clip for holding the false teeth and artificial gum in position

A partial denture will not only assist your teeth in looking natural, but it will also prevent the remaining ones from gradually shifting out of position and becoming crooked.

Implant-Retained Dentures

You may have to opt for implant-retained tooth dentures if you desire your newly acquired smile to have a more stable foundation. Rather than relying on gums or jawbone ridge for support, these dentures are attached to tooth implants. Implants refer to small, threaded, titanium-made posts that join to the jawbone. They replace missing tooth roots. The dentures are held in place by four to six implants per arch. That is why they are often called All-on-6 or All-on-4 implants.

Like conventional dentures, these dentures can be removed. You can remove yours during the night to wash and soak. Implant-retained dentures generally provide higher stability than traditional dentures since they snap onto implants inserted in the jaw. The dentist will not require adhesive to hold them in position. Consequently, they are also called snap-in dentures.

Also, because these dentures do not require a plate across the palate, they are more streamlined in shape. They simply follow the original arch of your smile, freeing up additional space.

Implant-Supported Dentures

Implant-supported tooth dentures are also called hybrid or permanent dentures. The procedure to prepare and fit them is more intricate than that of preparing and placing full or partial dentures. However, the results are highly convenient. These types of dentures will also not necessitate using adhesive.

Unlike other dentures, implant-supported dentures are not removable. They do not snap in and out; only your dental professional can take them out. Dentists recommend these dentures for patients who do not want removable dental appliances. The disadvantage of these dentures is that they require more comprehensive daily cleaning.

Immediate Dentures

At times, patients need their teeth extracted before they wear dentures. Immediate dentures are appliances that patients wear immediately after tooth extractions. Sometimes these dentures are temporary. Once you have healed, your dental professional replaces them with the final dentures. In other instances, you may wear the final denture right after your surgery. Your dental professional will advise on what to anticipate in your case.

Choosing The Correct Dentures

Choosing the correct dentures for your situation is essential to your dental health and general quality of life. Since we have various types available, you want to consider different factors before choosing your preferred ones.

It is essential to consult your prosthodontist or dentist specializing in tooth prosthetics. Either of these professionals will evaluate your needs and suggest the most ideal type of denture depending on factors like gum health, bone structure, and existing dental work, if any.

The next thing to consider is the different kinds of dentures available. Conventional complete dentures are meant for patients who have lost all their teeth in the lower or upper jaw. But if some of your natural teeth are still intact, partial dentures might be an ideal choice. These removable dental appliances blend flawlessly with the original teeth while occupying the gaps created by the missing ones.

Another crucial element to consider is fit and comfort. An ill-fitting denture can lead to discomfort, making daily activities like speaking or eating difficult. Choosing customized dentures ensures a precise fit tailored to your mouth size and shape.

When looking for the right fit of dentures, selecting the correct one is crucial to ensure functionality, comfort, and confidentiality. Dentures are a perfect solution for people who have lost teeth for different reasons. They will not only restore your capability to speak and chew properly, but they will also improve your appearance.

The Denture Placement Procedure

The denture placement procedure starts with a dental consultation. At the consultation, a general dentist will check your oral cavity, including your gums, jaws, and any teeth still intact. They will also take X-ray images of your mouth to check for jawbone thickness. If the dentist concludes you are an ideal candidate for the dentures procedure, they will discuss your options. The denture that is a perfect fit for you is contingent on different factors, like

  • The number of teeth you are missing
  • The period for which you have had missing teeth
  • Whether you would choose a non-removable or a removable appliance
  • Your jawbone’s volume and density
  • The connection between your lower and upper jaws
  • Your individual preferences

Once you have settled on the right denture, molding starts. A denture is made in several steps:

  • The dental professional will take the impressions of the lower and upper jaws, including the gums and the remaining teeth, if any. Often, they will require two impressions—the final and the preliminary.
  • After taking the impressions, they will send them to a dental laboratory. A dental laboratory technician will utilize the impressions to mold a replica (stone model) of your oral cavity. They will then use the model to customize your denture.
  • Denture customization begins with bite registration blocks. The blocks assist the technician in determining where to put the false teeth. The technician then uses a material (such as resin, nylon, or acrylic) to build the denture's base. Lastly, they will add the false teeth and check whether the lower and upper teeth fit together correctly.
  • After creating the new denture, the technician will polish it to achieve a more natural shine and take it to the dentist to fit it.

During fitting, the dentist will put the dentures in your mouth and then check their fit. They will then look for areas that exert pressure on the gums before making the final necessary adjustment to the dentures. The dentist may achieve the required fit after several dental office visits. That is because your mouth's soft tissues require time before they adjust to the dentures.

Recovery and Adapting To Your New Dentures

When you have had new dentures fitted, becoming used to eating or speaking can be challenging. Consider the following tips:

  • To begin with, try to eat only soft foods, then move to more chewy foods gradually.
  • Your dentist may want to evaluate your progress soon after the placement procedure.
  • Remove your dental restorations after every meal to clean them

The period it takes to adapt to dentures varies from one person to another. It could take weeks or, at times, months to acclimate to the new dental appliances.

After some time, you will realize that the dentures are starting to loosen. That happens because of bone loss, since using your original teeth no longer stimulates your jawbone. That is a normal occurrence. Denture fixative or dental relining may be helpful at this time. During this procedure, your dental professional will add more material to the dentures to form a more comfortable fit. Talk to your dental professional if you feel your dentures require relining.

Dentures last 7-10 years on average. Most individuals will need to replace their dentures after this period. You also want to undergo denture relining every 1-2 years.

Risks and Complications

Risks and complications are few and rare with dentures. You may notice some blood in your spit for the initial few days following the treatment. That is normal, and if it happens, use a gauze pack to stop the bleeding. Wet the gauze pack fairly and then place it over the bleeding area. Bite on it firmly for a minimum of thirty minutes or until the bleeding ceases. If you do not stop bleeding, contact your dentist.

  • Do not rinse your mouth within the first six hours after the placement, since this could trigger bleeding.
  • Avoid drinking anything hot for the initial six hours following the treatment, as it can result in bleeding.

If you feel pain, take pain relievers as your dental professional has recommended. Schedule a dental visit immediately if your dental restorations do the following:

  • Pinch or hurt your gums
  • Feel loose
  • Click when you speak
  • Have discoloration or damage

Caring for Your Dentures

Take out your dentures the day following treatment (after twenty-four hours). To remove the upper denture, try placing your finger beneath the false teeth and pulling them down gently. For the lower denture, try lifting it gently.

Rinse your mouth using warm salt water from the first day following your treatment. This lowers the infection risk. Sip a mouthful, hold the solution over the wound or socket, and gently rinse the area. Spit out the solution after rinsing. Do the same after meals, not more than four times daily.

Denture Cleaning

It is essential to clean dentures regularly to maintain oral cleanliness. If some of your teeth are still intact, brush them as part of your daily practice.

Be cautious whenever cleaning your dentures so you do not drop and break them. When cleaning them in a hand basin or over a sink, ensure the basin or sink has water to shield the denture, just in case it drops. Dentures that fall into sinks are bound to break.

  • Rinse the dentures using cold or lukewarm water to eliminate loose food debris.
  • Brush the dentures with the usual toothbrush (even an old one suffices) and washing-up liquid or soft soap.
  • Avoid using toothpaste. Clean the dentures using denture cleanser and a soft-bristled toothbrush designed for dentures
  • Ensure you rinse the dentures before you use them.
  • Apart from denture cleanser, you could also utilize a denture cleaning solution. Consult your dental professional if you do not know what solution to use.
  • You could also use over-the-counter mouthwash if your dentist recommends it. You can purchase it from a shop or pharmacy.
  • You want to rinse the dentures after each meal since food particles will accumulate beneath them.

Storing Dentures

You should remove your dentures every night (except if your dental professional has advised you otherwise). Taking them out allows your mouth to breathe. Additionally, it prevents the likelihood of choking on them.

  • You can store your dentures in a denture-washing solution or water overnight.
  • If you keep a dog, store the dentures enclosed in a container after removing them. Dogs may ruin dentures.
  • Ensure you change the water you keep the dentures in daily to prevent them from going stale.

If you put on dentures while you sleep, ensure you clean them carefully before retiring and when you wake up. Soak them in a denture cleaning solution for thirty minutes before retiring to bed.

Caring for Your Mouth

Brushing the remaining original teeth using fluoride toothpaste is equally crucial to prevent gum disease and tooth decay. Utilize a different brush on your teeth than you use for the dentures. Dentists also recommend brushing the tongue, gums, and palate with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Dental Checkups

It is essential to still see your dentist routinely for denture maintenance and to check the health of your entire mouth. Regular dental visits enable the early detection of any problems, such as cancer or infection.

Advantages of Dentures

Dentures come with several benefits, including:

  • Improved appearance
  • Enhanced chewing function
  • Better nutrition because of enhanced chewing function
  • Enhanced speech function

Disadvantages of Dentures

Even though dentures have advantages, they have some disadvantages too, particularly the conventional removable ones. For example, many people who wear traditional dentures complain that the appliances slip, wobble, or shift out of position when chewing or speaking. Also, your jawbone gradually shrinks after tooth loss, resulting in facial collapse, such as sunken-in cheeks.

The Cost of Dentures

The cost of dentures varies based on several factors, such as:

  • The type of dentures
  • The material used to make the dentures
  • The dentist's expertise
  • Location of treatment
  • The dental clinic is performing the procedure
  • Whether insurance covers the treatment

On average, partial dentures range from $700 to $1,800. Complete dentures range between $1,000 and $3,000 per arch. This cost includes the charges for:

  • Any tooth extractions
  • Consultations
  • Impressions or X-rays
  • Adjustments

Many dental insurance plans cover denture placement in part. If your dental insurance covers dentures, expect to pay less than usual. Consult your dentist on whether insurance will cover part of the treatment.

Find a Reliable Cosmetic Dentist Near Me

Having missing teeth can be an inconvenience. It can impact how you look and can be embarrassing when you smile. Additionally, routine tasks like speaking and eating can be challenging if you have missing teeth. Replacing the missing teeth is key to long-term dental health and a confident smile, and dentures are among the perfect replacements.

At Los Angeles Advanced Dentistry, we can answer all your questions about dentures and explain what they can do for you. We will also conduct the placement procedure after we have conducted an oral evaluation to determine whether you are an ideal candidate. Call us at 310-361-2080.