Dentures

Dentures are natural-looking removable dental appliances for the replacement of missing teeth. They are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and can enhance your smile. Our practice provides personalized denture services that meet the needs and comfort levels of our patients.

There are two types of dentures: partial and full.

Partial dentures are indicated if some serviceable teeth are present for support in conjunction with the gums and jawbone. A partial denture, though removable, provides form and function replacement for missing teeth. If a partial is loose and having trouble staying in your mouth, implants can help give support and retention to a removable partial. This will allow you to chew and eat much better.

Full dentures are used if there are not any teeth left for support. The full denture covers more of the jaw than a partial denture and is partly held in place by a natural vacuum in the mouth.

With new advances in implant dentistry, dentures can be made to lock into your mouth. This provides you the ability to chew and eat things your old dentures may not have allowed you to. With as few as two implants, a lower denture can go from a wobbly mess to a stable set of teeth.

Dentures are very durable appliances and will last many years, but may have to be remade, repaired, or adjusted. A variety of circumstances can lead to a damaged denture and should be addressed immediately. Repairs restore a fractured or damaged denture close to its original condition. Dr. Cannilla can often provide denture repair and also advise you of the condition of your dentures and will recommend steps needed in preventing further breakage.

Even though dentures are not real teeth, you should care for them like they are. In fact, here are some denture care advice and tips from Dr. Anthony Cannilla:

• Dentures should be brushed inside and outside daily with a soft, large nylon denture tooth brush with round-ended bristles to remove plaque and food particles.
• Use denture creams instead of toothpaste, which are too abrasive and will scratch your denture. Rinse with cold water.
• Dentures warp if placed in hot water.
• Inspect your dentures regularly for worn teeth.
• Have loose dentures checked immediately as they can cause friction and pressure on the gum tissues and bones.
• When not in use, cover dentures with water or a denture-cleaning solution to prevent them from drying out.

Also, remember to continue scheduling regular dental checkups every six months to make sure that your smile stays healthy for many years to come.