Driftwood Dental offers full, partial and implant-supported dentures as options if you're looking to replace missing teeth. If you’re considering dental implants or extractions to change the fit and comfort of your dentures, our dentists and denturists are here for you. Of course, if you need a little help relaxing during your appointment, ask us about sedation options.
Should I consider dentures?
Your dentist will let you know if you are a candidate for dentures, and which type of teeth replacement is best for you and your smile.
Your dentist may also recommend bridges for filling the spaces left by missing teeth.
Dentures over a normal course of time will wear and need to be replaced or relined in order to keep the jaw alignment normal.
We recommend a reline every 2 years to maintain maximum fit and comfort. The alignment will slowly change as the bone and gum ridges recede or shrink due to the extraction of the teeth.
Regular dentist examinations are still important for the denture wearer so that your oral tissues can be checked for disease or change.
Most dentures are made of acrylic and can be fabricated two different ways.
- A conventional (standard) denture is made after all teeth have been extracted and the tissues (gums) have healed.
- An immediate denture is fabricated and inserted immediately after the teeth are extracted and the tissues are allowed to heal under the denture.
- An upper denture has acrylic (usually flesh colored) that covers the palate (roof of the mouth).
- A lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to leave room for the tongue. The teeth are made of plastic, porcelain or a combination of both. Dentures can be fabricated to fit over endodontically treated teeth and a complete denture can be attached to dental implants to allow for a more secure fit.
Dentures over a normal course of time will wear and need to be replaced or relined in order to keep the jaw alignment normal.
The alignment will slowly change as the bone and gum ridges recede or shrink due to the extraction of the teeth.
Regular dentist examinations are still important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissues can be checked for disease or change.
What to expect at your denture appointment
Every type of denture requires approximately five appointments. Here’s what you can expect on your way to a new smile:
- 1st Appointment: Consultation, treatment plan and preliminary impressions are taken.
- 2nd Appointment: Final impressions taken to begin building your new smile (not required for standard dentures).
- 3rd Appointment: Bite Registration and tooth selection for aesthetics.
- 4th Appointment: The Try-in. Our denturists can construct a set of wax dentures for you to take home and consider before the final dentures are created. There is no pressure to hurry this process. It’s your smile and we want you to be happy.
- 5th Appointment: The final finish and insertion of your new dentures.