Well-fitting, natural-looking dentures.
Prosthodontist in Gainesville, FL offering dentures. Dentures have been around for centuries, but thankfully, they have come a long way in recent years. At Smart Smile Dentistry, in our Gainesville, Florida location, we are extensively trained and experienced in working with a trusted dental laboratory to give our edentulous patients dentures that offer a snug fit and a proper bite.
Full denture overview.
Your natural teeth are to be valued, cared for, and preserved with good oral hygiene. If you have unfortunately lost one or more of your teeth for one reason or the other, it will not only disturb your smile but also create problems in chewing and speaking. However, you don’t have to worry at all, because at Smart Smile Dentistry, in Gainesville, FL, using modern dental techniques we can give you a denture (replacement teeth) which will give you back your beautiful smile and teeth functions.
When do I need full dentures?
A full denture will be needed when most or all of your natural teeth need to be replaced. It will consist of an upper part and a lower part. The base of each part is made of gum colored high quality acrylic and fits over the gums. Base of the upper part covers the gums and the floor of the palate while the lower base is made in a U-shape to accommodate the gum. The dentures are retained in place by suction between the gums and the base. It is important, therefore, that the dentures are made by an expert according to impressions of your mouth taken in the office. We at Smart Smile Dentistry have qualified and experienced staff to do these functions.
Conventional, immediate, or temporary dentures. How do I choose which denture is best for me?
A conventional full denture must be given after:
- All remaining teeth have been extracted
- Gums have healed, and shrunk to final size. This may take several months in which you would have to live without any teeth. But your dentist will have an interim solution for you in the form of an immediate denture.
An immediate full denture will also be made to size for you but measurement will have been taken by your dentist in a prior visit and an exact denture made before the extractions. It will fit your gums immediately after the extractions. A disadvantage is that as the gums heal and shrink, the denture will no longer fit, and will have to be relined after a few months.
Another alternative is a temporary denture to be used until your permanent denture is made. This will help you get used to wearing a denture and give you partial capability to chew, speak, and smile.
What are false teeth called?
Dentures.
Getting used to a denture.
Wearing a denture for the first time you will almost surely feel awkward, and may feel uncomfortable for several weeks. You will have a feeling as if it is loose and bulky, especially the lower denture. But as muscles of your cheeks and the tongue learn to hold it you will get used to it gradually. During this period you may feel some irritation and have excessive saliva flow. You may also feel for some time that your tongue is restricted. In case of irritation do consult your dentist.
Caring for your denture.
After the gums have shrunk, your gum will still shrink with age. Hence, your denture will have to be “rebased,” that is, the base may have to be relined under the same teeth. Other than that you can prolong the useful life of your denture following the tips below:
- Dentures are delicate. Handle them over a spread towel or a basin of water.
- When not wearing, keep them soaked in a denture soaking solution or plain water. Never expose them to hot water or heat.
- Brush the denture daily to clean them of food remnants, and to avoid staining them. An ultrasonic cleaning is not as good as brushing.
- Brush your gums, tongue and palate softly every morning. This will do nothing to the denture but will stimulate blood flow in your mouth and thus reduce age-dependent shrinking of the gums.
- See your prosthodontist at least once annually.
- Never wear a cracked, chipped or broken denture, nor try ever to repair it yourself. See your prosthodontist.
What are false teeth made of?
Full dentures cover the entire dental arch and are made of a plastic, gum-colored base and resin or porcelain teeth. The base of an upper denture covers the hard palate as well as the alveolar ridge, and it is designed to form a seal with the gums to stay in place. Because a lower denture must be created with room for the tongue, it does not have enough surface area to form the same type of suction as an upper denture and must be kept in place with the use of the tongue and control of the facial muscles.
How long does it take to get dentures after teeth have been extracted?
After tooth loss or tooth extraction, the gums and bone tissue in the empty sockets need time to heal and attain a stable shape before you obtain traditional dentures. This can take a couple of months or longer, but waiting for proper healing is your best chance of achieving a stable fit. Alternatively, your dentist from Smart Smile Dentistry in Gainesville, Florida office can give you a denture immediately after extraction, but this appliance will need frequent adjustments as your gums and bone tissues heal, shrink and take on a new shape. An immediate denture is best used as a temporary measure until we can create your permanent denture based on precise measurements and impressions.
We love talking to patients, so please call us to discuss additional questions and concerns you may have about dentures including:
- How long does it take to get dentures made?
- What is the process of getting dentures?
- How much do permanent dentures cost?
- How long does it take to get dentures fitted?
- How long does it take to get replacement dentures?
Looking for the most qualified prosthodontist in Gainesville for your new full dentures?
f you are thinking of having a full denture, be careful when choosing a prosthodontist. Don’t throw your money away. It is a costly proposal. If you live in Gainesville, FL, your wisest choice is the Smart Smile Dentistry. Smart Smile Dentistry can help you determine if prosthodontics is the right choice for your unique dental needs. Contact our prosthodontist, Dr. Samant DDS at Smart Smile Dentistry in our Gainesville location today to schedule your appointment.
Smart Smile Dentistry - Full Dentures Gainesville | 4404 NW 36 Ave | Gainesville, FL 32606 | (352) 900-3590