Dentures
What Are Dentures?
A denture is a removable oral replacement for one or more missing teeth. The first thing that typically comes to mind when thinking about dentures is the clunky, poorly fitting false teeth that your grandparents might have used. The thought of dentures often leaves people with a bad taste in their mouths. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to!
Today, dentures provide a completely different experience for their users. When done correctly, dentures can change your life for the better. If you live in or around Columbus, Ohio and suffer from lost or failing teeth, our team at Lifetime Dental Health can help.
Dr. Barry and Dr. Love can construct unique, comfortable, beautiful dentures to restore your smile.
What Are the Benefits of Dentures?
Tooth loss can cause long-term problems and can significantly damage the mouth’s structure. Dentures can not only improve your looks, but they can also help maintain your oral health.
Dentures can:
- Help maintain bone structure
- Improve speech
- Help you eat normally
- Prevent sunken face
- Prevent bone atrophy, and
- Provide you with a beautiful, natural smile.
What Kinds of Dentures Are Available?
Dentures are typically made from acrylic resin or porcelain. They are removable and can be complete, partial, conventional, or immediate.
If all of your teeth are missing, we recommend installing complete dentures.
If there are spaces in your smile left by lost teeth, we can install partial dentures. These provide not only cosmetic improvements, but they can also prevent your remaining teeth from moving out of place.
Conventional dentures can be placed after extraction once the gums have healed. This can take anywhere from one month to several months. On the other hand, immediate dentures are installed directly after extraction. Immediate dentures may require adjustments during the first months of use.
What Should I Expect?
For both conventional and immediate dentures, the process typically takes about one month to complete. Treatment is usually broken up into five appointments.
During your first visit, we will create a customized treatment plan and conduct an evaluation. During this evaluation, we will make a wax model of your mouth. This model will be used to make your dentures. While the dentures are being created, Dr. Barry or Dr. Love will correct the shape, color, and fit to suit your personal needs. After adjustments are made, your final denture will be ready!
How Do I Take Care of My Dentures?
Although they are artificial, it is still very important to properly care for your dentures. Your new teeth may suffer from plaque and tartar build-up, so it is important to maintain a daily hygiene routine. It is also important to continue visiting your dentist often so they can check for decay, disease, and any other issues.If you have any questions or wish to schedule an appointment, call our Columbus dental office at 614-451-2234.
Over time, your mouth will change and your denture may need to be realigned or replaced. To help maintain your new teeth, our dentists will design a care and treatment plan just for you!