Are you embarrassed due to the fact you are missing a tooth or teeth? You shouldn’t feel alone. According to epidemiological studies, it is estimated that 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth and about 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth. As we age, the problem gets worse as 30 percent of adults between 65-74 years old have no natural teeth. Having missing teeth can happen either from disease, malnutrition, genetic disorders, or an accident. Because of these reasons it is necessary for an individual to have some or all of their teeth extracted. While this can be devastating, partial or full (complete) dentures can be fabricated to restore an attractive smile, provide needed support for normal facial contours and reestablish a highly functional occlusion. Full or partial tooth loss, if left untreated, doesn’t only affect a person’s self-image it can also increase the risk of development nutritional problems and other systemic health disorders. The great news is that there is a reliable and time-tested method for treating these conditions: partial or full (complete) dentures.
A complete denture is one of the many dental implants we offer, and it refers to the replacement of all the teeth in a dental arch. It can be inserted either of two ways. It can be inserted some weeks after the extraction sites and all of the surgical procedures have had a chance to heal, or as an “immediate” denture placed the same day the last remaining teeth are extracted. Although an immediate denture offers the advantage of not having to go without teeth for any period of time, it can require multiple adjustments as the tissues remodel and heal following dental extractions or other surgical procedures.
Even if you already have a set of complete or partial dentures it is still best to be seen yearly, as is true with most of our dental implants we offer. The benefit by coming in yearly is to make sure your appliance is still fitting well and not rubbing on any of your soft tissues, your occlusion is still balanced and even, and to complete an extra and intra oral exam to make sure you haven’t developed oral cancer. Complete denture and partial dentures are like tires on a car. After so many years they will need to be replaced. The reason for replacement is that the bone that use to support your teeth is constantly changing and remodeling. Because of this constant remodeling the architecture of the bone changes and your once well fitting partial and complete denture might not fit so well and will become loose. Besides remaking a complete or partial denture there are some things we can try to do in office to help loose and ill fitting appliances. The two options that we have are either an in-office soft reline or sending your complete or partial denture to the lab for a reline. There are benefits to both procedures but in short, when completing an in-office reline, the reline only lasts for 3-6 months because the material that we placed in the denture can become washed out. If we send your partial or complete denture to the lab they could have your partial or complete denture up to three days but that reline is more permanent.
In some cases added stability for the dentures can be provided by strategically placed implants.
If you are interested in learning more about complete dentures and partial dentures, call 303-695-0102 or book an appointment with our 5-star-rated dentist. We are conveniently located on Iliff near I-225. During your session, our experienced dentist and team will take the time to answer all your questions about our treatments, our office, our flexible payment options, and anything else you may want to know about us! Come to experience Iliff Family Dental and our unmatched patient experience! You will quickly see why people in Aurora, CO love us
