Full & Partial Dentures – Tyler, TX

Effects of Missing Teeth

The American College of Prosthodontists states the most common reasons for missing teeth include tooth decay, gum disease, and dental injury. This can include a knocked-out tooth that is sustained while playing sports or a cracked tooth that is the result of biting down on a piece of hard food.

Without proper and timely treatment, negative consequences can occur, some of which include:

• Facial sagging because of bone resorption
• Difficulty speaking
• Lack of self-esteem because of the gaps in your smile
• Difficulty eating and chewing

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

When suffering from significant tooth loss, you will find that dentures can be a reliable way to rebuild your smile. Also, if you have sensitive teeth or severe dental decay, these prosthetics might be a beneficial treatment option. All you need are healthy gums and a dense jawbone for optimal support.

If you choose to receive dentures to replace your missing teeth, you must commit to taking proper care of your new smile.

During your consultation with Dr. Perez, we will go over the different types of dentures that are available and which one is right for you. If you’re only missing a few teeth along an arch, we may suggest a partial denture. It’s also possible that a dental bridge or implant denture be recommended.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

If for any reason we find that you are not a good candidate for dentures, we will not stop there. Instead, we will consider alternative treatment options that are just as effective at restoring smiles. These can include:

• Dental Bridge – This unique prosthetic is designed to replace multiple, consecutive missing teeth along an arch. Consisting of dental crowns that are fused to create a single bridge, it is supported with the help of abutment teeth located on either side of the gap. The two exterior crowns of the bridge are secured over these healthy teeth so that it remains sturdy and functional.
• Dental Implants – Supported with the help of titanium posts that are placed in the jawbone, these replacement tooth roots can support a bridge or denture for 30 years or more. Their ability to stimulate the jawbone to prevent additional bone and tooth loss as well as their natural look and feel make them the gold standard of tooth replacement according to dental experts.

What Are Dentures Made Of?

Dentures are composed of two primary components:

• The base of dentures: This portion rests on the gums and is typically crafted from acrylic. In certain cases, nylon or other alternative materials may be selected. However, acrylic remains a popular choice because it can be shaped accurately to reflect the contours and coloration of each patient’s gum tissue. Some partial dentures also contain metal or acrylic clasps, which help the appliance attach securely to neighboring teeth.
• The teeth of dentures: These artificial teeth may consist of either acrylic or porcelain. Full mouth dentures (upper and lower) often feature porcelain teeth, while partial-mouth replacements commonly utilize acrylic. That is because acrylic teeth are slightly softer than porcelain, which reduces the risk of chipping adjacent natural teeth.

The Denture Creation Process

Here are some key steps in the denture-making process:

• Impression taking: Our dental team will ask you to bite into a special impression material and remain in that position until the material hardens. This process provides an accurate model of your gumline and forms the foundation for your custom denture.
• Laboratory fabrication: Using a plaster cast of your gums, the dental laboratory team will create a wax model that mirrors your gumline. Artificial teeth are then carefully positioned within the wax.
• Wax model try-in: You will return to our dental office to try on the wax version of your dentures. We will assess their fit and appearance, and you will have the opportunity to share your thoughts. Any feedback or requested adjustments are communicated to the laboratory team.
• Delivery of the final denture: After any necessary additional fittings, the laboratory will fabricate the durable final denture. Should small refinements be needed, our team will take care of them in a timely manner.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

Although dentures are custom-made to fit properly, you may experience a period of mild discomfort during the adaptation phase. Common challenges include slight soreness and temporary speech difficulties. The following tips may help you adjust more smoothly:

• Wear your dentures each day to practice speaking and eating, which will help you become more comfortable with the new prosthetic.
• Allow yourself adequate time to adapt before expecting the dentures to feel completely natural in your mouth.
• If you experience persistent problems or have questions, contact our Tyler dental team for additional support and professional advice.

With time, patience, and proper guidance, your dentures will likely become a comfortable and natural-feeling part of your daily routine!

Custom-Made for Every Patient

When patients think of dentures, they often imagine the ones from decades past. Nowadays, they look vastly different! In fact, they are custom-made with each patient’s face shape, dental needs, and aesthetic goals in mind, making them look and feel incredibly lifelike.

Crafted From Only the Best Materials

Another considerable perk: dentures are crafted from only the best materials, which makes them extremely durable. This is great because many patients are stuck eating a soft foods diet following tooth loss. With dentures, we can fill in the gaps in your smile (or give you a whole new smile), allowing you to eat a healthy, well-balanced, and varied diet again.

Clearer Enunciation

One downside of tooth loss that patients often don’t expect is trouble enunciating clearly. If this is something you’re currently struggling with, we have good news: dentures can help! We’ll create yours with your unique dental needs in mind to ensure they don’t protrude unnaturally or feel bulky. That way, you adjust to their presence and sound like your usual self again in no time at all.

Prevents Common Oral Health Problems

Following tooth loss, the teeth surrounding the gap can begin to drift out of position. Not only that, but food particles and other debris can get trapped against your gums, increasing your risk of gingivitis in the process. Fortunately, we can seamlessly fill the gaps in your smile with partial dentures or give you an entirely new one with full dentures, helping to preserve the alignment of your teeth and the health of your gums.

Cost-Effective

Sometimes, patients have a desire to restore the look and health of their smile, but are too worried about the cost to schedule an appointment. If this sounds like you, we have good news: dentures are quite cost-effective, especially compared to other tooth-replacement options. Plus, dental insurance providers often cover a portion of the cost, which makes them even more affordable.

If you are on the fence about whether or not dentures are the best tooth-replacement solution for you, there’s only one thing left to do: schedule a consultation with us! That way, we can learn all about your dental history, needs, and goals before helping you make a decision.