A denture is a removable dental appliance replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and may even enhance your smile.
There are two types of dentures - complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. A Partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from shifting.
A Complete denture may be either “conventional” or “immediate.” A conventional type is made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed, usually taking 4 to 6 weeks. During this time the patient will go without teeth. Immediate dentures are made in advance and immediately placed after the teeth are removed, thus preventing the patient from having to be without teeth during the healing process. Once the tissues shrink and heal, adjustments will have to be made.
Dentures are very durable appliances and will last many years, but may have to be remade, repaired, or readjusted due to normal wear.
Reasons for dentures:
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Complete Denture - Loss of all teeth in an arch.
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Partial Denture - Loss of several teeth in an arch.
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Enhancing smile and facial tissues.
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Improving chewing, speech, and digestion.
Working With Ozark Prosthodontics
During your consultation, I will advise you about the best method to develop comfortable dentures which give a pleasing facial and dental appearance along with acceptable function. I will explain why denture stability and one's ability to chew varies so much from one individual to another. I will review why your denture will start out as if it is a "treatment denture" which will be used to condition your oral tissues, will improve dental and facial appearance, and will develop acceptable chewing function. Denture comfort and function are affected by loss of ridges, soft and unhealthy tissue, bone spicules, muscle activity in the floor of the mouth, and one's ability to adapt. No two people will function the same with their dentures.
Every effort will be made so that you will not have "the denture look." When the denture is first delivered to you, it will have a soft treatment liner between the base and your gums. This soft lining material will help rehabilitate your tissues back to health and at the same time will produce a functional impression of your ridge as it molds to the shape of your mouth. Over time, a series of these liners will be placed, each of which will contribute to the ultimate fit of them.
When you are completely comfortable, you really like the appearance, and you are satisfied with the degree of function that has been accomplished for your particular oral conditions, the last tissue conditioning in the series will be used as a blueprint for the final reline which will produce your permanent dentures.
It must be understood that the Modified Branching Technique as it is called is a very time consuming and sophisticated method of denture construction. The patient who has tried everything and has no satisfaction with conventional dentures needs this service. The individual who may not be able to be satisfied without dental implants needs this service in order to prove the bite and determine optimum tooth positioning. The individual who wants the very best in a personalized denture needs this type of treatment.
As you can see, working with dentures is a very specialized and detailed process. You might be feeling frustrated with your current dentures and be ready for a change. We understand your experience and are ready to work with you.
We will work vigorously to ensure that your experience with us is one of lasting success. Avoid any future pain and possible damage from loose fitting dentures.