Dentures are a common dental procedure and over 37.5 million people are expected to wear dentures by 2020.
While dentures are usually associated with seniors or retired individuals, dentures can actually be a helpful or necessary treatment for a host of dental issues at any age.
At Green Dental in Broomfield CO, we have helped plenty of patients get dentures to restore their smiles and address a number of oral health issues. Let’s explore what dentures are, and what’s involved in getting them.
What are Dentures?
A denture is a removable prosthetic dental appliance that is used to replace missing teeth. Dentures appear just like your natural teeth and may also improve your smile. They are supported by the hard and soft tissues found in your mouth.
There are two different types:
- Complete dentures
- Partial dentures
Complete dentures, as the name suggests, are used when you have no real teeth left or the teeth left are not enough to support partial dentures. Moreover, complete dentures are further divided into two types: immediate and conventional.
A conventional denture is made after the removal of the remaining teeth and the healing of the gum tissue. The process can take about a month to complete as gums may often be slow to heal, depending on how many teeth had to be removed.
The patient has to be without any teeth during this time period which may not be apt for some individuals. For such people, there are immediate dentures. They are prepared in advance and placed right after the removal of the remaining teeth.
Thanks to immediate dentures, you will not have to live without teeth as your gums heal. However, immediate dentures may require adjustments as your tissues heal and shrink. Such changes may cause complications, hence regular dental visits are necessary.
On the other hand, as the name suggests, partial dentures are used when you only have a few missing teeth. A partial denture is used to fill the void left by the missing teeth.
Who Needs Dentures?
Dentures are one of our restorative dentistry options used to replace missing teeth. You may be a candidate if you:
- Are missing all your teeth in the lower or upper jaw – complete dentures.
- Are missing a few teeth in the lower or upper jaw – partial dentures.
- Want to improve your digestion, speech, and chewing.
- Want to improve your facial appearance and smile.
What is The Process?
The process requires several visits to the dentist, whether you choose complete dentures or partial dentures.
Our dentist will first examine your overall health and ensure you can be a candidate for dentures. We may also take some x-rays and ask you a few questions to get a clear picture of your oral health history.
If you are not a candidate, we’ll recommend you go for an alternative option such as implants. In fact, implants and other such procedures may be necessary in order to make you a suitable candidate for dentures. Implant-supported-dentures are popular but can be more expensive than regular dentures and require a lengthier process.
The next step is to take a mold of your teeth. We use different techniques to take measurements so that your customized dentures can be prepared. The process of taking impressions is painless.
Your mold is then sent to the lab to build your customized denture. In the meanwhile, we’ll perform other dental procedures, such as tooth extractions, if required.
The dentures can take a few weeks to prepare. You may be required to visit us for follow-up appointments to ensure everything is good and your gums are healing well.
Once your dentures are ready and have arrived, we’ll ask you to visit for a “try-in”. We’ll ensure the dentures fit well and meet your requirements in terms of color and shape. If all is well, we’ll place the dentures.
You may experience a little soreness or discomfort in the beginning. It’s a natural occurrence as your mouth needs some time to get used to your new set of teeth. You may also notice a sudden increase in saliva. This is normal and nothing to worry about.
Things will get back to normal as you get used to the dentures. It may take a few days. We may, however, write prescriptions to ensure you feel no extreme pain or discomfort.
How to Take Care of Dentures?
Dentures are made to last for seven to eight years but need proper care to ensure they remain fit and sturdy.
You must take care of dentures just like your natural teeth and brush and floss regularly. There may be no risk of cavities and other such problems, but your gums may still face issues if you do not follow proper hygiene.
It’s best to remove your dentures at night so that there’s reduced pressure on your mouth. Keep them in a container full of water or cleanser to soak overnight. Also, wash and brush your dentures regularly.
Green Dental Will Help You Get Dentures in Broomfield, CO
At Green Dental, we offer affordable dentures in Broomfield, CO. However, the prices differ from individual to individual and largely depend on the type of dentures you need. Plus, additional procedures, such as tooth extractions, can also add to the cost. If you have any questions about the process for getting dentures or if they are right for you, reach out at (303) 469-5301 and book a consultation with our experienced dentists offering restorative dentistry procedures. We’ll examine your condition and help you find the best treatment solution for your situation.
