Dentures are a popular solution for people who have lost some or all of their teeth. They can help you eat, speak, and smile with confidence again. At Cornerstone Family Dentistry, we create custom dentures in Garland, TX. While traditional dentures look natural, they don’t provide the proper support. We can create implant dentures to restore your teeth and your full mouth function.
Restoring your missing teeth, especially if you have rows or arches of lost teeth, can make everyday life easier. Whether you have an old denture and need a new one or have just lost your teeth, we’re here to help.
Types of Dentures
Traditional dentures are the most common type of denture. They consist of artificial teeth attached to a pink, gum-colored base. The base is designed to fit over your gums and can be held in place with denture adhesive.
Implant dentures are a more advanced option for replacing missing teeth. They combine the benefits of dentures with dental implants. Instead of resting directly on your gums, implant dentures are attached to dental implants placed in your jawbone.
Implants are small posts that replace the tooth roots. They ensure restorations like dentures are stable. Implant-secured dentures are removable, but implant-supported dentures stay in place.
Dentures are also full or partial. Complete dentures replace full rows of missing teeth. You can benefit from complete dentures if you have your upper arches, lower arches, or all your teeth missing. Partials replace rows of missing teeth. They can restore rows of teeth in different areas of the mouth if needed.
Removable Dentures vs. Implant Dentures
Choosing between traditional and implant dentures depends on several factors, including your overall health, bone structure, and personal preferences. Your dentist will help you determine the best option based on your needs.
Factors to consider when you’re choosing dentures can include:
- Your Health: Implant dentures require enough healthy bone to place the implants. If you have bone loss, traditional dentures might be a better option, or you might need a bone graft before getting implants. You do not need healthy jaw bone for traditional dentures. However, building up healthy jaw bone helps improve your dental health and treats problems like facial sagging.
- Budget: Implant dentures are generally more expensive than traditional dentures. Consider your budget and insurance coverage when making your decision. If you prefer a more secure and comfortable option and don’t mind the additional time and cost, implant dentures might be the right choice. Implant dentures also last longer and do not need to be rebased or replaced as often.
- Maintenance: Both types of dentures require care and maintenance. Think about which type fits best with your lifestyle and willingness to maintain them. With traditional dentures, you must remove them before cleaning. You must also use denture cleaner and adhesive. Alternatively, you can brush and floss implant-supported dentures like your natural teeth.
The Benefits of Implant Dentures
Implant dentures offer several advantages over traditional dentures in our Garland, TX office:
- Stability: Implant dentures are much more stable than traditional dentures. Because they are anchored to implants in your jawbone, they stay in place and don’t shift or slip while you eat or talk. You don’t have to worry about dentures slipping when you eat hard or crunchy foods.
- Comfort: Implant dentures are more comfortable because they fit securely and don’t put pressure on your gums. You can often eat a variety of foods comfortably with implant dentures. They also provide a more natural feel when speaking.
- Improved Health: Dental implants help maintain the health of your jawbone. When you lose teeth, the jawbone can start to shrink over time. Implants stimulate the bone to keep it healthy and strong.
- Lasting Results: Implant dentures are generally more durable and longer-lasting than traditional dentures. With proper care, the implants can last many years. After an oral surgeon places the implant posts, they will stay in place like natural tooth roots. While you may need to replace your dentures after many years, the implants are permanent.
Getting Dentures in Garland, TX
When you first get traditional dentures, your dentist will take impressions of your mouth to make sure the dentures fit perfectly. Once the dentures are ready, you’ll try them on to make any adjustments needed for comfort and fit.
Traditional dentures are typically used when you’ve lost many teeth or have no remaining teeth. They are removable, which makes cleaning and maintenance easier. However, they can sometimes shift or feel loose, especially if your mouth changes shape over time.
The process for getting implant dentures involves several steps:
- Implant Placement: First, we place titanium implant posts into your jawbone. These posts act as artificial tooth roots. This surgery is comfortable because we numb your mouth before implant placement. We will also provide a temporary restoration.
- Healing: After the implants are placed, there is a healing period during which the implants fuse with the bone. This process is called osseointegration and usually takes 3 to 6 months. Then, once you are fully healed, we attach the abutments, which will connect the implant posts to your final restoration. We will make impressions to send to a lab that creates dentures that match the look of natural teeth.
- Final Dentures: Once you are fully healed, you will return to our office. We will attach your final custom dentures to the implants. This creates a secure, stable fit that doesn’t shift or move around.
How to Care for Dentures
To keep your traditional dentures in good shape, you should clean them daily. Remove your dentures to brush them with a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive denture cleaner. Avoid using regular toothpaste, as it can scratch the surface.
When you’re not wearing your dentures, soak them in a denture-cleaning solution to keep them from drying out. Rinse your dentures after you eat to remove any food particles.
If you have implant dentures, you don’t need to remove them for cleaning. You can brush and floss normally. Many patients find it easier to floss with water flossers or floss threaders. Then, brushing with a non-abrasive toothpaste and soft-bristled brush will help maintain your dentures and any remaining natural teeth.
Regardless of denture type, regular check-ups ensure your dentures fit well. These checkups also help maintain your dental health.
Replace Multiple Missing Teeth
Call us today for dentures in our Garland, TX dental office at 972-848-7749. You can also schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Giang online. If you have questions about denture treatment, let us know, and we will help.