Description of Procedure:

A denture replaces missing teeth and adjacent tissues. Unlike dental implants, a denture is removable. Made of resin and porcelain, complete dentures are used to replace all the teeth. When some healthy teeth remain, a partial denture can be used. A partial denture also keeps the remaining healthy teeth from shifting positions in the mouth.

Dentures made by a cosmetic dentist do more than replace the teeth. They are fit "neuromuscularly," meaning that they are precision-fit to provide the most optimum position for your jaw and bite, assuring comfort. Full and partial dentures improve chewing ability and speech, and support facial muscles. Dentures also enhance appearance.

How It's Done:

Once the initial diagnosis is made and the decision to proceed with dentures is made, the dentist will make any necessary extractions of compromised teeth. Once the gums are healed and healthy, the dentist can proceed. First, an impression of the mouth is taken and a wax -up is made to determine the most optimal position of the jaw as well as the dimensions (size, shape, length, width) of the teeth.

The wax up is sent to a dental laboratory to construct a "try-in;" an initial set of dentures. The "try-in" is placed in the mouth to assure comfort, fit, bite position and appearance. Once the "try-in" is approved, the lab creates the final dentures. The dentist will place the final dentures and make any necessary adjustments.

Neuromuscular dentures, also known as precision fit dentures, are preferred by patients because of their exceptional comfort and natural appearance. Trips to the dental office for adjustments are nearly eliminated, and no longer will you keep your dentures in your pocket except for eating; truly a cosmetic improvement!

If your dentist fits your dentures to your most comfortable bite, he or she will likely use a computerized jaw tracking system to measure your natural bite. The dentures will be made to those specifications, and final adjustments will be made using the same equipment.

Recovery from getting dentures may be a two-step process. If extractions are necessary, patients can expect the recovery of their gums to take up to 8 weeks, and maybe longer.

Once healed and the dentures are placed, the patient will need time to adjust to the new teeth. While patients can speak normally within a few hours, they may experience minor discomfort when eating or chewing. This discomfort may last from several days to a few weeks. It is recommended that patients with new dentures eat soft foods until they become comfortable with chewing.

Complications:

There are no known complications for the creation of dentures.

If you have lost most or all of your teeth, or your gums are compromising your remaining teeth, you are a candidate for either full or partial dentures.

Dentures made by traditional means typically cost from $800 - $1,500 per plate (upper denture or lower denture). Neuromuscularly fitted dentures are more expensive, often $5,000 to $7,500 for a full set. However, the fit and comfort far outweighs the cost for the patients.