Losing your teeth is a bad experience. You may be wondering if you’ll ever feel normal again. But South Florida Dental Center in Coral Springs can craft a set of dentures just for you so you can get back to living your best life.
Made of the finest materials, our dentures can replace your broken or lost teeth in a timely manner and make you feel confident in your smile again.
Dentures are prosthetic appliances that patients wear to replace their missing teeth. This restores their smile and allows them to function normally. Dentures are removable but some can attach to dental implants.
Made of various materials, including acrylic, nylon, porcelain, resin, or metal, dentures offer patients a flexible treatment option that won’t break the bank. The most popular materials for dentures are acrylic resin or plastic because they are easier to make and are more comfortable.
Because dentures are made to replace your missing teeth, the appliance will look and feel like your natural teeth and can even match the color of your existing teeth.
There are three main types of dentures available to patients depending on what they need.
Full dentures are a complete set of upper and lower teeth. The upper set features an acrylic base that looks and feels like your natural gums. The base rests on a plate that covers the roof of your mouth. Patients usually secure the upper denture appliance by using a special adhesive.
The lower appliance also features an acrylic base but will rest on your gum and bone tissues.
Perhaps you are only missing a few teeth. In this case, a partial denture can fill the gap. This removable denture features replacement teeth attached to a metal or acrylic base matching your natural teeth and gums. A clasp attaches the denture to your natural teeth to secure it in place.
Snap-in dentures are also known as implant dentures because they snap onto dental implants. Dental implants are screw-like devices that fuse with the underlying jawbone to act as an anchor for the appliance. This procedure makes your teeth feel more secure and more normal.
Treatment begins with a complimentary consultation during which Dr. Daniel Cohen will thoroughly examine your gums, jawbone, and any existing teeth to determine the best course of action for you. Your jaw must be strong enough to handle dental implants if you are seeking snap-on dentures.
Any problems such as gum disease or tooth decay should be treated first before you get dentures. Dr. Cohen will order images or x-rays of your mouth and he will also require an impression or mold of your gums. This helps us create a custom set of dentures just for you.
We will then measure your bite registration to select your replacement teeth. Patients always have the opportunity to try on their dentures to see how they fit. This is a good time to offer feedback so Dr. Cohen can make changes to the appliance if necessary to improve performance and comfort. After that, we will finish the dentures and you can wear them home.
The whole process usually takes about 4 or 5 appointments.
Patients usually experience initial discomfort when they begin wearing their dentures, but they should not be painful. If you do experience pain, contact us right away. Your dentures may need adjustments if they are rubbing against your tissues and causing irritation. Those who opt for snap-on dentures will require months of healing time after dental implant surgery. Most discomfort subsides over time as you adjust to your dentures, but over-the-counter pain medication is available to relieve it.
You can basically eat whatever you want with your dentures, but you should be particularly careful when eating hard or sticky foods. These foods can get stuck in or damage them. For instance, you shouldn’t chew gum with dentures. And it might be best to cut harder foods into smaller pieces. Eating will initially require an adjustment period. Once you get used to eating with them, it will be easier.
If your dentures need repairs, South Florida Dental Center in Coral Springs can fix them for you. These repairs usually take just a few hours to complete. Eventually, you will need to replace your dentures with a brand-new appliance. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends replacing dentures every five years, but they can last up to ten years or longer if you take good care of them.
If you think dentures are right for you, South Florida Dental in Coral Springs is ready to help you return your smile to normal. Call our office at (954) 755-7971 or book an appointment online today!