Riverwalk
What to Expect When Getting Dentures
If you’re considering dentures, it’s natural to have questions. This page is designed to walk you through the process—whether you need full or partial dentures. Our goal is to make sure you feel informed, confident, and comfortable at every stage, while restoring the appearance and function of your smile.
We offer both complete and partial denture options to replace missing teeth. With today’s advancements in dental technology, modern dentures are more secure, natural-looking, and comfortable than ever before. Continue reading to learn more about your options and what to expect during the denture process.
Why Dentures Are a Great Option for Missing Teeth
If you’ve lost one or more teeth, dentures can be an excellent way to restore both the function and appearance of your smile. Leaving gaps in your teeth can cause several issues, such as:
- Difficulty Eating and Speaking: Missing teeth can make it challenging to chew food properly and may affect your speech clarity.
- Shifting of Nearby Teeth: When a gap is left unfilled, surrounding teeth can drift into that space, leading to bite problems and making oral hygiene more difficult.
- Increased Risk of Gum Disease and Cavities: Empty spaces can trap food and bacteria, raising the chances of gum problems or decay.
- Changes in Facial Appearance: Tooth loss can alter your facial structure over time. Dentures help preserve your natural appearance and prevent other teeth from shifting out of place.
How Dentures Work to Restore Your Smile
Dentures are custom-made, removable appliances designed to replace missing teeth and the surrounding gum tissue. They feature a gum-colored base that holds natural-looking artificial teeth, typically made from durable materials like porcelain or acrylic. Dentures restore your ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence, though a short adjustment period is normal as you get used to them. With proper daily care and regular dental checkups, your dentures can stay clean, comfortable, and long-lasting.
Different Types of Dentures and Their Benefits
Dentures are a dependable solution for replacing missing teeth. They restore your smile, improve your ability to eat and speak comfortably, and enhance your overall confidence. Several types of dentures are available, each offering unique benefits to suit your individual needs and lifestyle.
Complete Dentures: A Full Smile Solution
Complete dentures are designed to replace all the teeth in your upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. Custom-shaped to fit comfortably over your gums, they’re an excellent option if you’ve lost all your teeth due to age, gum disease, or injury.
Benefits of Complete Dentures:
- Natural Appearance: Restore your full smile and enhance your facial shape.
- Improved Speech: Help you speak more clearly after tooth loss.
- Better Chewing Ability: Make eating easier and more enjoyable.
- Facial Support: Prevent your cheeks and jawline from sagging.
- Cost-Effective Solution: An affordable option for complete tooth replacement.
Partial Dentures: Filling in the Gaps
Partial dentures are designed for patients who still have some natural teeth. They fill the spaces left by missing teeth and attach securely to your existing teeth with clasps or precision connectors. This option is ideal if your remaining teeth are healthy enough to support a denture.
Benefits of Partial Dentures:
- Natural Appearance: Blend seamlessly with your existing teeth for a realistic look.
- Improved Chewing: Restore your bite, making it easier to enjoy a wider variety of foods.
- Prevents Shifting: Keep surrounding teeth from moving out of place.
- Supports Oral Health: Help maintain the strength and alignment of your remaining teeth.
Implant-Supported Dentures: Secure and Natural
Implant-supported dentures are anchored to dental implants placed in your jawbone, providing greater stability and comfort than traditional dentures. They can be used for both full and partial sets and closely mimic the look and feel of natural teeth.
Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures:
- Stay Secure: Remain firmly in place while you talk, eat, or smile.
- Stronger Bite: Allow you to enjoy a wider range of foods with confidence.
- Jawbone Protection: Implants stimulate and preserve the jawbone, preventing bone loss.
- Natural Appearance: Blend seamlessly with your natural teeth for a lifelike look.
- Long-Lasting Solution: With proper care, implant-supported dentures can last for many years.
Immediate Dentures: Walk Out with a Smile
Immediate dentures are placed right after your teeth are extracted, allowing you to leave your appointment with a complete smile. These dentures are made in advance, so you never have to go without teeth during the healing process.
Benefits of Immediate Dentures:
- Instant Results: Enjoy a full smile immediately after your extractions.
- Aids Healing: Protects the gums and supports proper healing of the extraction sites.
- Maintains Confidence: Allows you to smile, speak, and eat comfortably while you recover.
Snap-On Dentures: Secure and Convenient
Also known as overdentures, snap-on dentures fit over dental implants or natural teeth using special snap-on attachments. They provide a more stable fit than traditional dentures while remaining easy to remove for cleaning.
Benefits of Snap-On Dentures:
- Enhanced Stability: Stay firmly in place for improved comfort and confidence.
- Supports Jaw Health: The implants underneath help preserve bone structure and prevent bone loss.
- Simple Maintenance: Easily removable for thorough daily cleaning and care.
Begin Your Journey to a Better Smile
Today’s dentures provide a variety of options to fit your unique needs. Whether you’re missing a few teeth or your entire set, there’s a denture solution designed to restore your smile and make eating, speaking, and smiling easier. With advanced materials and improved designs, modern dentures offer exceptional comfort, a secure fit, and a natural look—helping you smile with confidence again.
