The beauty and health off our mouths tend to degrade over time due to factors such as age, injury, diseases, heavy wear and tear, decay, or genetics. Missing a tooth or several teeth is a pain that comes biting every once in a while. A gap is a confidence crusher that can also affect your ‘bite’ as the teeth next to the space may start leaning into the gap. This may change your face by causing the hollowing and compression of your lips. Having gaps also makes food difficult to chew and digest, and could allow food to get packed into the gap, increasing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. What’s more, tooth loss increases the risk of diabetes, coronary artery disease, some cancers, and obesity.
With dentures, your smile will be restored, your appearance will be improved, and you’ll be able to eat more comfortably and speak more clearly. At the Encino Dentist, we offer expertly made dentures to replace missing teeth and the surrounding tissue. Dr. Isaac Kahen Kashani and his team are highly experienced in the placement of dentures and ensuring that they fit the size, shape, and color of your natural teeth and gums. We use the best materials and the best techniques to fabricate a denture that’s indistinguishable from natural teeth. We want to give you something that makes you feel better and boosts your confidence.
Request your appointment with the Encino Dentist to start your smile makeover!
What are Dentures?
These are prosthetic devices build to replace lost or removed natural teeth and are reinforced by adjacent tissues of the oral cavity. Dentures can be partial or full, which implies that they can replace a few missing teeth or all teeth in either the bottom or top gum line. Irrespective of how many teeth have to be replaced, your dentures will be custom designed to fit your mouth and matched to your existing natural teeth. This makes them as natural and comfortable as possible.
In the past, dentures were made out of plastic or porcelain, but today, dentures are typically made out of a hard resin. The materials utilized to create artificial teeth usually more fragile than natural teeth and can crack or chip easily if dropped or uncared for. Also, dentures must be replaced every five years or so because the material tends to wear down much quicker compared to natural teeth. The supporting structure that resembles natural gum and holds the artificial teeth in place is usually made out of resin, or a polymer material that’s more flexible and can fit snugly on the natural gum line.
Types of Dentures
- Partial Dentures
This is often used as the preferred tooth replacement method when one or more teeth are missing, or when the remaining natural teeth don’t have the strength to support structures such as implants and dental bridges. Removable partial dentures normally made up of a gum-colored plastic base, which can be connected to a metal framework that supports the denture and hold it in place in the mouth. The partial dentures are fitted to the spaces created by missing teeth and fasten to surrounding natural teeth. In addition to filling in the spaces, partial dentures also prevent other teeth from changing position. A partial denture is not permanently fastened but has internal attachments that attach to the adjacent. This creates a natural-looking material that’s easy to take out any time for cleaning and while sleeping.
In some cases, partial dentures bases can be made out of plastic, especially when used as temporary or emergency tooth replacements. This allows for the healing process of the bone and gums before there’s a definitive restorative solution. Various other materials have also been developed to provide flexible and durable alternatives in certain situations.
- Complete Dentures
Complete dentures, also known as full dentures, are artificial appliances that replace all of your natural teeth. These dentures are made of a plastic base that replicates natural gum tissue and supports a full set of porcelain or plastic teeth. This is the type of dentures you basically see in movies and cartoons. Technology has significantly improved the functionality and appearance of full dentures, making them more comfortable and natural looking. The traditional full denture can be fitted for your top or bottom gum line and is held in place by suction and/or forming a seal with the gums. Full dentures are also easy to remove for cleaning and while sleeping.
Full dentures can be “conventional” or “immediate.” A conventional denture is made after the extraction of natural teeth and the gum tissue has started to heal. The placement is usually done about 8 to 12 weeks following teeth removal. Immediate dentures, on the other hand, are prepared beforehand and can be placed right after the teeth are extracted. For this reason, the person who wears it doesn’t have to be minus teeth as the gum tissue heals. However, because gums and bones shrink after some time, particularly following tooth removal, immediate dentures require more adjustments in order to fit properly as the gums heal. Therefore, conventional dentures are usually a temporary solution until a set of conventional dentures is obtained.
- Implant-Supported Dentures
An implant-supported denture is a type of overdenture that’s anchored by dental implants. Unlike an ordinary denture, which rests on the gums, an implant –supported denture is supported by and attached to an implant. A dental implant is a screw or titanium post which is inserted into the jawbone and acts as an artificial tooth root to adequately hold an artificial tooth in place. A denture supported by an implant is a good option for a person who has undergone partial or total tooth loss but has adequate bone in the jaw to sustain the implants.
An implant-supported denture can be attached permanently to the implant, but there’s also an option of removable appliances. The removable type has distinct attachments that snap onto the implants. In most cases, implant-supported dentures are used on the lower jaw since regular dentures tend to have problems with fitting securely there. A regular denture for the upper jaw usually doesn’t need extra support and is quite stable. However, you can have implant-supported dentures on either or both jaws. Just like traditional dentures, you should care for and clean the denture and gum area.
When it comes to dentures, Dr. Kashani at Encino Dentist will present all the pros and cons of each treatment and will help you determine which is the best tooth replacement option based on your needs and preferences. Whether we fit partial, complete, or implant-supported dentures, you can look forward to appliances that are designed to resemble your natural teeth and substantially improve your smile.
How Dentures Are Made
The denture development process takes several appointments over a few weeks. The first appointment involves diagnosis and determination of what type of denture is best for you. Thereafter, your dentist will make an impression of your jaw and take measurements to determine your jaws’ bite relationship. This also involves determining the shade or color of your natural teeth. The bite, impression, and shade will be given to the dental lab to start the process of making a custom denture for your mouth.
The dental lab will create a model or mold of your jaw and carves a wax base to the exact shape and position wanted in the finished denture. You will “try in” the wax model several times so any adjustments of the shape, color, and fit can be done the final denture is completed. The final denture will then be cast using the “lost-wax” technique. The wax will then be removed, and the remaining space will be filled with gum-colored plastic in dough form. The mold is then heated, polished, and ready for wear.
Cleaning and Preserving Your Dentures
Regardless of what type of denture you have, you must clean them daily, just like natural teeth. Although dentures are made up of artificial materials, plaque, tartar, and bacteria can build upon them, increasing the risk of infection. To clean your dentures, use a very soft toothbrush with mild soap and water to dislodge any food particles that may be stuck along the gum line, underneath the structure, and between teeth. Be sure not to use an electric toothbrush, regular toothpaste, or any other cleaner as these tend to be too abrasive and can cause wear and damage to the denture materials. Make sure you rinse your denture after cleaning. It’s also important to clean your gums, cheeks, tongue, the roof of your mouth, and any natural teeth when you take the dentures out of your mouth. Dentures should always be removed before sleeping to avoid dislodging them, damaging them, and give you some time to relax. When not being worn, submerge your dentures fully in warm water. Never place them in hot water to keep them from drying or becoming warped. You can use a denture soaking solution, but only if your device does not have metal.
Find Dentures Near Me
At the Encino Dentist, we believe that everyone should have a beautiful smile that makes them look and feel their best. If you’ve been stuck with a toothless grin for a while, we can help restore your smile to improve your oral functions and prevent premature wrinkles at the corners of your mouth and around your lips. Dr. Kashani will give you an examination and review, and choose the type of denture that would match your mouth and lifestyle. After treatment, we want you to walk out of our office with a beautiful new smile and a face that looks natural.
We invite you to call our Encino dentist at 818-650-0429 or visit our office for a complete dental examination.
