Full dentures are a custom-made set of top and bottom replacement teeth. Today’s dentures can be secured in place with state of the art dental implants. This helps to keep them from sliding around uncomfortably, causing problems when attempting to chew or speak. They also look and feel more natural. Full dentures are used for patients who have either lost a large number of their natural teeth or for a person who needs to have a large portion of their teeth removed due to trauma, extensive dental work or other extensive dental health issues.
In some cases, you may only need a partial. These replacement teeth are usually made of a natural looking dental composite material attached to a metal framework. This framework is held in place by two crowns placed over anchor teeth on either side of the gap. The crowns help to keep the partial in place and provide a secure, natural feeling fit. The replacement teeth are custom-made in a dental laboratory in order to match the shape and color of your natural teeth.
Over time, your dentures may become worn and they may crack or break. While there are a number of do-it-yourself solutions available, these may adversely affect their fit and feel. If applied incorrectly, these kits may even cause permanent damage, resulting in you needing a replacement instead of a simple repair. This is why we always recommend having them professionally repaired at Buckner Family Dental to ensure proper fit and a better repair.
Over time, gum and bone loss can lead to your dentures slipping or feeling loose. A reline can refit your denture to your gums properly. Your dentist will make a new impression of your gums and use this to refit your dentures properly. In some cases, this can be done right in your dentist’s office, though in some cases they will need to be sent to a dental laboratory to ensure a proper fit.
An improperly fitting denture can rub against the gums, causing pain and soreness. High spots where the dentures rest may also cause pain. If not adjusted properly, this can also cause damage to your gums and the underlying bone. In these cases, your dentist may need to make adjustments to your denture, either by trimming or building up the necessary areas to keep your dentures from sliding around and causing sore spots.
Sometimes dentures cannot be adjusted and will need to be remade. In this case, the dentist will take a new impression of your gums and send it off to a lab. In the interim, they may either recommend that you continue using your current set or they may provide you with a new temporary one to use until your new permanent set arrives.
