What are dentures?
A denture is a dental appliance that slots into your mouth to replace lost teeth. In contrast to dental implants that are surgically implanted in your jawbone, dentures are removable. They adhere to your gums or attach to hardware implanted in your jaw.
The two main types of dentures are:
Complete dentures
Complete dentures replace all of your teeth in one arch. If you have no natural teeth, you'd need a top and a bottom denture.
Partial dentures
Partial dentures replace some of your teeth, filling in the gaps and retaining your remaining natural teeth in their place.
Partial and complete dentures can be either conventional dentures, which require a 4-6-week healing period without teeth following your tooth extractions, or immediate dentures, which allow you to get your new dentures immediately following tooth extraction.
Immediate dentures generally require additional adjustments because the gums can shift quite a bit during healing, but some patients feel that it's worth the extra treatment time to avoid going without teeth for a while.
What are the reasons to get dentures?
Dentures restore your smile with fully customized tooth replacements, but it's not just about the looks. They also restore your eating ability, help you speak clearly again, and maintain your facial contours.
How does the dentures process work?
The dentures process with Dr. Kupelian and the team starts with X-ray imaging, measurements, and mouth impressions. They use all of this information to design a custom denture that fits your needs perfectly.
You’ll have several fitting appointments spaced over at least a few weeks. The team adjusts your dentures and makes further customizations during these appointments to ensure the most comfortable and functional fit.
After your final denture fitting, you might have some mild soreness, extra salivation, and other minor adjustment issues. Your mouth muscles and gums quickly adapt to the new dentures, and they’ll soon feel completely natural.
How do I take care of my dentures?
Dr. Kupelian and the team give you full denture care instructions and recommendations when they place your new dentures. This includes brushing every day, cleaning your dentures daily, and maintaining a healthy diet.
Even though you may not have teeth any longer, it’s important to see Dr. Kupelian and the team for regular checkups. During your checkups, they can look after your gums, perform denture maintenance, and make sure that you have good oral health.
Find out how dentures can help you by calling Armen Kupelian DDS, Inc. or booking an appointment with online scheduling now.
