We sometimes can't save teeth
Creating a precise fit
In time, you'll adjust to dentures

Immediate Dentures

If many of your teeth are loose or painful, it may be too late to save them. In most cases, loose or painful teeth are caused by advanced periodontal disease. Periodontal disease also causes bone loss, and if it's not caught in time, your teeth may have to be removed because there's too little support for them.

Removing your teeth and replacing them with a denture may be the best way to eliminate the infection caused by periodontal disease and restore the health of your mouth. When this is all done on the same day, it's called an immediate denture.

The procedure

To begin the process of making a denture,we first take impressions of your mouth. From these impressions,we make precise working models of your mouth, and it's on these models that we make the denture. We'll work with you to select the best color and shape for your new teeth. When your denture is ready,we'll thoroughly numb your mouth and extract your remaining teeth. After your teeth are removed,we'll immediately place your denture.

What to expect after the procedure

For the first 24 hours, your new denture will feel tight because your gums are swollen. As your bone heals over the next six to nine months, your gums will shrink and your denture will feel loose. When this happens,we'll use a temporary lining material to tighten the fit. After the period of healing is complete,we'll either construct an entirely new final denture or send your immediate denture back to the lab to be relined for its final fit.

Adjusting to your new denture

Some temporary problems are a normal part of adjusting to your new denture. At first, it may seem bulky or tip when you chew. You may notice increased salivary flow. Your tongue may feel crowded, and you may gag a little or have difficulty speaking. But don't worry, as you get used to your new denture, these problems will go away.

Like learning any new skill, eating with your new denture will at first feel awkward. But with time and practice, you'll make the adjustment. Nobody likes to lose their teeth, but when your teeth are infected, removing them and getting an immediate denture can improve your health, smile, and confidence.

Typical lower partial denture
Clasps for retention
Partials add support

Lower Partial Dentures

What is a partial denture?

A lower partial denture can be a good way to replace missing teeth. When you save your remaining teeth and have a partial denture, you'll chew better, look better, and have a healthier mouth. A typical lower partial denture is held in place by metal clasps that fit around the anchor teeth.

Advantages of a partial denture

A partial denture prevents several problems. By filling in spaces, it prevents neighboring teeth from shifting. If missing teeth aren't replaced, it can set off a chain reaction that can result in cavities and periodontal disease. A partial also helps balance your bite. This means you'll chew better and have a healthier jaw joint. Partials also add support to your cheeks and lips. This support is necessary to speak clearly and look your best.

The process

The process of making a lower partial denture involves a series of appointments. Though the process varies in each individual case, it usually involves minor shaping of the teeth followed by impressions. Models are made from the impressions, and it's on the models that the partial framework and final partial denture are fabricated in a dental laboratory. After several try-ins and adjustments, the partial denture is seated.

Adjusting to your partial denture

Some temporary problems are a normal part of adjusting to a new lower partial denture. At first, it may seem bulky or tip when you chew. You may notice increased salivary flow. Your tongue may feel crowded, and you may gag a little or have difficulty speaking. But don't worry; as you get used to your new partial, these problems will go away. With time and practice, you'll make the adjustment and be eating with confidence.

Prepared teeth
Overdenture fits over the
prepared teeth
Crafting dentures

Overdentures

Loose or painful teeth are usually caused by advanced periodontal disease. If many of your teeth have become loose or painful, it may be too late for us to save them. In such a situation, removing some of your teeth and replacing them with an overdenture may be the best way to avoid infection and restore health to your mouth.

What is an overdenture?

From the outside, an overdenture looks just like a regular denture. With a regular denture, when all of your teeth are removed, it causes the bone in your jaw to recede. However, when we place an overdenture,we are able to retain some of your natural teeth, using them to anchor the denture. By leaving some of the roots of the teeth in place,we can significantly lessen bone loss and provide you with a more stable denture.

The procedure

To prepare the teeth that will support your overdenture,we first remove the portions of the teeth that extend above the gumline. Next,we perform root canal treatment on these teeth to remove any trace of infection. We may also cover them with small metal caps for added protection.

To begin the process of making an overdenture,we take impressions and use them to make precise working models of your mouth; the denture is made on these models. We'll work with you to select the best color and shape for your new teeth.

Adjusting to your overdenture

Some temporary problems are a normal part of adjusting to new dentures. At first, it may seem bulky or tip when you chew. You may notice increased salivary flow. Your tongue may feel crowded, and you may gag a little or have difficulty speaking. Remember, these problems are a normal part of the adjustment process, and they are temporary. As you get used to your new denture, you'll be eating and speaking with confidence, and you'll be on your way to restored oral health.

A traditional clasp
Special crowns and attachments
Smile with confidence

Precision Partial Dentures

A partial denture replaces missing teeth and restores your bite. Traditional partial dentures use clasps to hold them in place. Though these clasps do a fair job of holding the partial in place, they can affect your smile. Now, with new special crowns and matching special attachments built into the partial framework,we can eliminate the clasps and make a much tighter fitting partial denture. Precision partial dentures help create a new, natural look.

How are precision partial dentures different?

Precision partial dentures have many advantages over traditional partial dentures:

• The precise fit is healthier for your gums and teeth.
• Retention is increased.
• Your chewing ability is enhanced.
• Your smile remains free of unsightly metal clasps.

The procedure

The process of making a precision partial denture involves several appointments spread over several weeks. After a thorough exam and appropriate treatment to eliminate decay or periodontal disease,we prepare the adjacent teeth for crowns.

Then we take impressions of your teeth, and from these impressions, precise working models of your mouth are made. The crowns and attachments are constructed on these models in a dental laboratory. In the next appointment, we try in the crowns, adjust them if necessary, and create additional impressions for the construction of the precision partial denture.

During the final appointment,we try in the precision partial and make any necessary adjustments. Once everything looks good,we'll cement the crowns and place your new precision partial denture.

Adjusting to your precision partial denture

It will take some time to adjust to the feel of your new precision partial. At first, eating may seem difficult, and you may have trouble speaking normally. After a few weeks, you'll make the adjustment and be speaking, eating, and smiling with confidence.

Metal clasps for retention
Tooth loss can cause
poor alignment
Upper partial denture

Upper Partial Dentures

An upper partial denture can be a good way to replace missing teeth. When you save your remaining teeth and have a partial denture, you'll chew better, look better, and have a healthier mouth. A typical upper partial denture is held in place by metal clasps that fit around the anchor teeth.

Advantages of a partial denture

A partial denture prevents several problems. By filling in spaces, it prevents neighboring teeth from shifting. If missing teeth aren't replaced, it can set off a chain reaction that can result in cavities and periodontal disease. A partial also helps balance your bite. This means you'll chew better and have a healthier jaw joint. Partials also add support to your cheeks and lips. This support is necessary to speak clearly and look your best.

The process

The process of making an upper partial denture involves a series of appointments. Though the process varies in each individual case, it usually involves minor shaping of the teeth followed by impressions. Models are made from the impressions, and it's on the models that the partial framework and final partial denture are fabricated in a dental laboratory. After several try-ins and adjustments, the partial denture is seated.

Adjusting to your partial denture

Some temporary problems are a normal part of adjusting to a new upper partial denture. At first, it may seem bulky or tip when you chew. You may notice increased salivary flow. Your tongue may feel crowded, and you may gag a little or have difficulty speaking. But don't worry; as you get used to your new partial, these problems will go away. With time and practice, you'll make the adjustment and be eating with confidence.