Dentures in Charlotte, nc.

Full Dentures

FALSE TEETH PROCESS – DENTURE PROCEDURE STEPS

The denture process requires a number of steps to complete. Here are the typical procedure steps that you may encounter when you proceed down the road to get false teeth.

STEP 1 – THE APPOINTMENT

Before dentures can be made, a dental professional has to take a good look at your mouth. The main purpose of the appointment is to determine how many teeth need to come out and the condition of your remaining teeth and gums.

There are many different false teeth options that are available to you, with some of the most common including full dentures (to replace all teeth) or partial dentures (worn with your existing teeth). 

Depending on the number of teeth requiring replacement and their location, different denture options may be discussed.  We will thoroughly discuss your options so that together, we can come to the best solution regarding your oral health.

STEP 2 – TAKING IMPRESSIONS

After the correct solution for your specific denture requirements has been determined, a few impressions of your mouth will be needed. Think of these as the blueprint required to design and fashion your dentures to fit perfectly on your gum line and inside your mouth.

It is from the impressions that a cast is made that will be used to design your dentures. Once a preliminary set of false teeth have been fabricated, you will be in the dentist’s chair again for a fitting. The results of this will start the false teeth process of creating your final dentures.

STEP 3 – FINAL DENTURE FITTING

Your gums will take a few days to weeks for the swelling to go down and in order to completely heal. This is dependent on the number of teeth that had to be extracted and the condition of your gums at the time. 

When the final set of dentures is complete, we will have you come to the office for a final fitting and offer advice on how to adjust to life with dentures.

STEP 4 – GETTING USED TO WEARING YOUR DENTURES

Because your dentures are a foreign body in your mouth, it may take some time to get used to them. In fact, as your mouth gets used to having plates of false teeth, the dentures may feel uncomfortable for a number of weeks. This will require patience on your part.

We will help you arrange additional appointments after your denture delivery to evaluate the fit and make the adjustments needed.  IT IS NORMAL TO NEED ADJUSTMENTS TO YOUR DENTURES.  It is rare that dentures fit perfectly when they are delivered.

In the next few months of follow-up appointments, expect slight adjustments to be made to your dentures when necessary. Once they fit perfectly, you should not need as many visits to your dentist, but rather just visit your dentist for routine checkups.

STEP 5 – PROPER DENTURE CARE

The last of the denture procedure steps involves ongoing care and maintenance of your new dentures. With proper care, your dentures can last for a long time… however, they do need some special care compared to natural teeth.

Over time, your dentures may become loose. Adjustments including denture relining may be required. Plus, as you age, the condition of your mouth and gums may change. It could mean a whole new set of dentures at one point, but with proper care, they should last you several years.

Dentures are made from an acrylic, which requires a bit of extra care, especially when they are not being worn.  This includes specific cleaning products and methods that will keep them looking like new whenever you put the dentures in your mouth.

Our dentists and assistants will cover cleaning procedures with you and explain that you need to ensure that dentures are not dropped or left to dry out. Although denture repairs can be made should something happen to them, it becomes something you can avoid by being careful.

IN CONCLUSION

Dentures are effective but can be a somewhat pricey solution to tooth loss where crowns, bridges, and other repair options are not possible. Although the process is time-consuming, the end result is a great set of teeth that improve your smile and permit eating, talking, and other normal oral functions.

If you feel that you are in need of false teeth to correct a problem you are experiencing with your oral health, contact us at Charlotte Dental Associates for a consultation on the complete denture procedure steps. We will determine whether or not dentures are the best dental solution for you as well as be able to answer any specific questions you have about the false teeth process.

Removable / Partial Dentures

Partial dentures replace missing teeth and stay in place by attaching to a person's remaining teeth with a metal or acrylic clasp. A removable partial denture can replace one or several front or back teeth. This appliance can be used on the top or bottom arch of teeth and is an option for patients who want to replace missing teeth while saving as many natural teeth as possible. There is a multistep process for getting partial dentures that includes making the natural teeth as healthy as possible and taking steps to ensure a proper fit of the final product.

The partial denture fabrication process

In order to fabricate a partial denture that fits properly and is stable, the patient's natural teeth must be restored to a healthy state. After that, the dentist takes impressions that are sent to a lab where the denture is made. Once the patient has the final product, the dentist can make adjustments as needed.

Restoration of anchor teeth

It is generally not recommended to fit partial dentures to teeth that are at risk to be lost due to dental infection or decay. Therefore, the patient's remaining natural teeth that will act as anchor teeth for the partial denture must be as healthy as possible. The dentist may recommend that all nonrestorable teeth be pulled. Once the teeth that are to be saved are identified, any cavities or signs of periodontal disease can be treated.

Impressions

Once the patient's anchor teeth are stable, impressions can be made for the partial denture. The lab then makes a custom-fit denture with teeth in the patient's selected shade and gums that match the patient's natural ones. Sometimes there is a preliminary try-in stage before the final product is made to ensure that the framework is fitting as expected. 

Delivery and adjustments

The lab will send the finished denture to the dentist to deliver to the patient. At that appointment, the patient can let the dentist know if any spots feel rough or need to be adjusted.

It may take several days or even weeks for the patient to feel normal wearing the partial denture, and a few adjustments may need to be made in the weeks following initial delivery. During this time, the patient should be instructed on how to care for the partial denture at home. It should be removed every night and soaked in a denture cleaner and can be brushed with a soft-bristle toothbrush to remove any plaque.

Conclusion

Partial dentures can be a viable option for patients looking to replace missing teeth without going through the expense of having multiple implants placed. These removable devices can be made to look natural and match the patient's other teeth, giving the patient confidence that may have been lost due to missing teeth. For patients considering partial dentures as a restorative option, focusing on caring for the remaining teeth and taking care of the denture should be top priority. In this way, patients can have a smile that lasts.

OUR OFFICE AND COMMITMENT

We understand that your entire family is essential to you, so we pledge to treat everyone like family while they visit us.

You’ll find that our office has a warm, welcoming atmosphere that you can’t find at many other practices. We want you to feel at home during your visits, which is why we’ve designed our office with your comfort in mind.

Our team ensures that the waiting room is pleasant and that the receptionist is welcoming and helpful. Our dentists are dedicated to giving the best service possible!