Dentures and Partial Dentures

Dentures are dental prostheses used by patients with multiple missing teeth. They replace every single missing tooth in the mouth, and the best part about them is that they can be removed. Dentures are made from acrylic and ceramic to mimic the appearance of the gums and teeth, respectively. They can briefly be classified into two types based on their structure and usage - Complete and partial dentures.

What are complete and partial dentures?

Complete dentures are used by patients who have lost every single tooth in their mouth. On the other hand, partial dentures are used to replace a specific set of missing teeth, with the remaining teeth still intact in the mouth. They are held together by a metal framework, which helps to retain the prosthetic teeth in their right positions.

What are the advantages of dentures?

• Dentures allow the patient to bite and chew food as they always used to.
• Their phonetics can be restored to normal with dentures.
• Since dentures replace many teeth, they play a significant role in restoring the patients’ facial shape. They make the jaws and cheeks look fuller.
• Dentures are removable. You can take them off whenever you have to go to bed, clean your mouth, or clean the dentures themselves.
• Dentures offer excellent longevity. With proper care, they can last for several years together without any hassle.
• The appearance of dentures can be customized to a great extent. The acrylic perfectly mimics the gums, and the ceramic used to fabricate the teeth can be made to match the color, texture, and contour of the natural teeth.

How are dentures made?

The dentist scans your oral cavity and takes x-rays to serve as a reference for fabricating the dentures. If you wish to get any decayed or damaged teeth extracted from the mouth, the dentist will remove them surgically. The data from the scans will be sent to a dental laboratory where the dentures will be made within a few days. During the next appointment, the dentist will place them in your mouth and check for the perfect size and fit. If you find them uncomfortable to use, subtle changes will be made to alter their fit. The dentist will also give you care instructions so that you can keep your dentures as good as new for several years.

Please schedule an appointment online or call us at (703) 670-7071 to have a consultation with our dentists, and we will be happy to help.