Procedures

Dentures

Also known as false teeth, dentures are prosthetic devices constructed to replace missing teeth. Your Austin dentist hopes that your teeth will last a lifetime but we know this is not always possible, so we are here to offer you a number of options to restore your teeth to their normal oral function and appearance. Thanks to advances in polymer science, today’s dentures are made with extremely high-quality and durable plastic.

 

Types of Dentures

There is a wide variety of options available to denture patients. One option is complete dentures, which are available to patients who are missing all or most of their teeth. These dentures can replace all of the teeth on the upper and/or lower jaw while resting on the gums that cover the jawbone. For a more secure denture, these dentures can be attached to one or more tooth roots (overdenture) or to dental implants (implant overdenture). Some implant overdentures can be removed by the wearer and others can only be removed by a dental professional.

 

Another type of denture known as partial dentures is only able to replace some missing teeth and attach to the remaining natural teeth with clasps or attachments. These dentures are also known as precision and semi-precision partial dentures. We know that there is a lot of options and information here, but don’t worry your Buda dentist is here to help you decide which denture treatment is right for you!

 

Receiving Your Dentures

Before receiving your dentures, your dentist will need to go over a few things with you. Every individual patient will require different prerequisites to dentures, however here are a few things every patient can expect:

 

 

  • Impressions or molds of the contour of the mouth will be used as a model for the denture

  • Extractions will be performed to remove any unhealthy or decaying teeth. This surgery requires several weeks of wait time for the mouth to heal before the dentures can be placed. For some patients, a temporary denture will be placed in the mouth on the same day of extraction and worn until the permanent denture is fitted.

  • Implant surgery will be performed for patients who are receiving implant overdentures. This surgery also requires several weeks of wait time for the mouth to heal before the dentures can be placed. For some patients, a temporary denture will be placed in the mouth on the same day of implant surgery and worn until the permanent denture is fitted.

  • Adjustments will be made to achieve the best possible fit and level of comfort once the dentures are placed.

 

Getting Used to Your Dentures

It may take some time to get used to the feel of your dentures. However, you’ll be able to eat, speak, and smile more comfortably once you are used to them. Upon receiving your dentures, it is completely normal to expect:

 

  • An initial feeling of fullness in the mouth, face, lips, and/or cheeks

  • Temporary and minor changes to your speech

    • Tip: Speak slowly and enunciate words to quickly train the tongue and facial muscles

  • Changes in your chewing patterns while adjusting to the new jaw movements

    • Tip: Start with small pieces of soft food and gradually move on to firmer foods. Chew food on both sides of the mouth simultaneously with your back teeth. A small amount of denture adhesive may help to stabilize your dentures.