After you lose your teeth, you also lose your ability to eat the foods you love. You may feel self-conscious around others if you have missing teeth in the front of your mouth. Missing teeth cause functional and aesthetic problems. Edentulous patients, or patients without teeth, benefit from lasting dental restorations. Dentures and partials in our Nederland, TX office can restore your missing teeth with natural-looking replacements.
Types of Dentures
Partials are dentures that replace rows of missing teeth. These dentures can restore missing teeth in different parts of the mouth. Complete dentures replace all of the teeth in the mouth. Traditional complete dentures are removable with a gum-colored resin base and false teeth. These dentures can also use support from implants.
Dental implants provide support for removable and fixed dentures. Implant-retained dentures are removable and snap in place, while implant-supported dentures are not removable.
In addition to full and partial dentures, we provide these types of dentures:
- Overdenture: An overdenture fits over implants or remaining natural-prepared teeth. If possible, we recommend an overdenture to help preserve the health of your jawbone. Overdentures are beneficial for patients who still have remaining teeth or receive implants.
- Immediate Denture: We place this temporary denture while you wait for your permanent denture. We make immediate dentures according to the measurements we take during your first visit.
- Conventional Denture: We place this denture 8 to 12 weeks after we remove your remaining teeth. We may remove infected or severely damaged teeth before we place dentures to prevent further oral health problems. The conventional denture is placed once your gum tissue heals.
Removable vs. Implant Dentures
While both can restore the appearance of your smile, implant dentures offer several distinct advantages over traditional dentures in terms of stability, comfort, longevity, and oral health.
One of the most significant differences between these two options is stability. Traditional removable dentures can often shift or slip, especially while eating or speaking. This can cause discomfort and embarrassment, particularly when talking or chewing tough foods.
On the other hand, implant dentures are anchored securely to your jawbone using titanium implants, which act like natural tooth roots. This secure foundation eliminates the movement issues common with traditional dentures, giving you the confidence to eat your favorite foods and speak clearly without worrying about your dentures shifting out of place.
Implant dentures significantly improve comfort over traditional dentures. Traditional dentures sit on top of your gums, leading to sore spots, irritation, and discomfort over time. They rely on the soft tissue of your gums for support, which can cause pressure points that make wearing them for long periods difficult.
Implant dentures, however, are supported by the implants that fuse with your jawbone, providing a much more comfortable fit. Since the implants take on the role of tooth roots, there is less pressure on your gums, and you won’t have to worry about the irritation associated with removable dentures.
Another major advantage of implant dentures is their long-term durability. Traditional dentures are not permanent and may require frequent adjustments, relining, or even replacements over time due to wear or changes in the shape of your jaw. This can make traditional dentures a costly investment over the years.
Implant dentures, however, are built to last much longer. The titanium implants are designed to fuse with your jawbone in osseointegration, creating a strong, stable foundation that can last decades. With proper care, implant dentures can be a one-time investment that provides lasting benefits.
Perhaps one of the most important differences between traditional and implant dentures is their effect on jawbone health. When teeth are lost, the jawbone beneath them begins to shrink over time because it no longer has the stimulation from tooth roots.
Traditional dentures don’t stimulate the bone, leading to bone loss and a sunken facial appearance. However, implant dentures stimulate the jawbone like natural tooth roots. This helps preserve the bone, prevent the changes in facial structure that often occur with missing teeth, and maintain your overall oral health.
Additionally, implant dentures offer a significant improvement when it comes to speech. Traditional dentures can sometimes affect your speaking ability because they shift or make clicking noises when you talk. With implant dentures, the stability of the implants ensures that your teeth stay firmly in place, allowing you to speak naturally without worrying about slurring or clicking sounds.
Lastly, convenience plays a role in the comparison between these two options. Traditional removable dentures often require adhesives to keep them in place, which can be messy and inconvenient. Implant dentures don’t rely on adhesives, as they are securely anchored to your jaw, making them hassle-free and easy to care for.
Getting Dentures in Nederland, TX
Before denture treatment, we will ensure you do not have any outstanding dental problems. We can treat gum disease and perform tooth extractions, root canals, and other treatments. Our team will work with you to determine which denture type fits your needs and goals.
Then, you will visit our office to begin treatment. If you receive a removable denture, we will take impressions of your teeth. We will provide a temporary denture while we send these impressions to a lab.
Technicians will follow our specifications to create your custom dentures. Once your final dentures are complete, we will remove your temporary dentures. Then, we will ensure your final restoration looks and fits naturally and cement the denture.
Implant Dentures
If you get implant-supported dentures, we must ensure you are an implant candidate. You must be healthy and have enough jawbone to support the implants. Jawbone loss is common after losing permanent teeth. We recommend bone grafting to build up healthy bone tissue.
First, we will take X-rays to plan your implant placement. A surgeon places the implant posts in the jaw bone beneath the gums. The jaw bone takes three to six months to grow around the implants, a process called osseointegration.
Then, we will place abutments, or connector pieces, linking the implants and the dentures. We will take impressions to send to a lab to create your custom denture. Once you heal fully, we will remove the temporary denture and place the final denture.
Dentures and Partials FAQs
We welcome you to learn more about dentures in our Nederland, TX office with answers to these common questions:
How long does it take to adjust to dentures?
It will take time to adjust to your new teeth. Getting accustomed to dentures can take several weeks to a month. As you get used to your restoration, you will find it easier to bite, chew, and speak. You will also find your dentures feeling like normal teeth over time.
How do you clean dentures?
After you receive your dentures, ensure you continue cleaning your restoration and any remaining natural teeth. We can provide tips on brushing and flossing your fixed denture. When brushing, use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Interdental floss or a water flosser can help remove food between your false teeth.
If you have a removable denture, you must remove it before sleeping. Then, soak it in a denture cleaner. You can also brush and floss your removable denture with a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste.
Why should I get implant-supported dentures?
Dental implants offer durable support to dentures. Compared to traditional dentures, implant-supported dentures:
- Last longer (implant posts are permanent)
- Do not need rebasing or relining
- Improve speech
- Support the jaw bone
- Prevent facial sagging
While implants may take longer, they last and help support your tooth, gums, and jaw.
Why should you soak removable dentures?
Keeping removable dentures moist ensures they do not dry out or crack. Placing your restoration in a denture cleaner also helps remove bacteria and leftover food from your restoration.
However, you cannot wear removable dentures during sleep because they can lead to dry mouth. During sleep, dentures can reduce the amount of saliva you produce, increasing your risk of gum inflammation and infection. Denture stomatitis, or thrush, leads to difficulty swallowing, mouth sores, and a sore throat or mouth.
What is All-on-Four?
All-on-four is a treatment method that uses as few as four dental implants to replace a missing tooth arch. On average, four to eight implants can secure an upper or lower denture. Treatment planning ensures the surgeon can maximize the jaw bone to place the implants.
What is “Teeth in a Day”?
“Teeth in a Day” refers to removing problem teeth, placing implants, and then placing a temporary denture in one visit. This method ensures you will not be without teeth while waiting for your permanent denture.
Restore Multiple Teeth
Replace missing teeth with dentures in our Nederland, TX office. Call Coastal Dental Care at 409-215-2035. You may also schedule an appointment with us online.
Let us know if you have questions about dentures. We will be glad to answer your questions on your next visit.