If you have multiple missing teeth on your mouth’s top or bottom jaw, you may be a good candidate for dentures. At Boulder Dental Designs, Dr. Montoya and Dr. Lai help transform patients’ smiles using dentures. 

WHAT IS A DENTURE? 

A denture, or a complete denture, is an appliance inserted in the mouth, replaces natural teeth, and provides support for the cheeks and lips. Dentures can either be complete and supersede all your bottom and top teeth or partial and only replace a few missing teeth. Additionally, dentures can be removable or fixed, depending on your dentistry goals. During your initial consultation appointment, you will discuss your goals with Dr. Montoya or Dr. Lai. In this appointment, you will decide the best denture style for you with your dentist. 

WHAT TYPES OF DENTURES ARE THERE? 

Most dentures are acrylic and can be fabricated in two different ways. A conventional 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 removed, and the tissues are allowed to heal under the denture. An upper denture has acrylic, usually flesh-colored, covering the palate (roof of the mouth). A lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to leave room for the tongue. The teeth of a denture are made of plastic, porcelain, or both.

HOW ARE DENTURES MADE? 

Creating your dentures begins with an initial consultation appointment. As mentioned above, this is when you will discuss your dental goals with your dentist. After you have picked the right style of dentures for you, your dentist will begin making them. The first step is typically to take an impression of your teeth. This impression will be sent to a lab. A technician will transform the image into a set of dentures at the lab. There are many different types of dentures that the lab can make. 

Once the dentures arrive at Boulder Dental Designs, your dentist will invite you back for a fitting. You will try on your new dentures, and your dentist will adjust them as necessary. Additionally, you will discuss how to care for your new dentures daily at this appointment. 

DO DENTURES NEED SPECIAL CARE?

Yes, traditional removable complete or partial dentures do require special care procedures. Every night dentures should be removed, brushed with toothpaste and a toothbrush, and placed in a glass of water overnight. The glass of water helps the dentures stay wet overnight because if the acrylic on the dentures becomes dry, they can crack. Additionally, patients should remove the remaining denture paste from their dentures at night. As a part of their nightly routine, patients should also gently brush the outside of their gums to prevent gum disease. Patients should rinse off their dentures in the morning before placing them in their mouths. 

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I REPLACE MY DENTURES? 

Dentures over an ordinary course of time will wear and need to be replaced or relined to keep the jaw alignment regular. The alignment will slowly change as the bone and gum ridges recede or shrink due to the extraction of the teeth. Regular dental examinations are still necessary for the denture wearer to check the oral tissues for disease or change.

Dentures can transform the appearance of your smile. At Boulder Dental Designs, we offer several different types of dentures to fit your needs. Our dentists, Dr. Montoya and Dr. Lai, are dedicated to helping you find the perfect solution for your smile. For more information about dentures or to schedule an appointment, call our office today.