What are dentures?
Dentures are custom oral prosthetics that replace some or all of your teeth. They’re made from materials like nylon, acrylic, or plastic and rest comfortably on top of your gums.
In addition to restoring your smile, dentures improve your oral health. They significantly lower the risk of gum recession, bone loss, and chronic bad breath.
What are the types of dentures?
The team at San Ramon Dental Excellence offers several types of dentures, including:
Partial dentures
If you’re only missing a few teeth, the team might recommend partial dentures. Partial dentures have a wire base and several artificial teeth. The wire base connects to clips near your healthy, existing teeth, holding the dentures in place.
Complete dentures
If you’re missing an entire arch of teeth, the team might recommend complete dentures. Complete dentures have a metal base, pink plastic gums, and a row of artificial teeth. You put denture glue or adhesive on the bottom to prevent your dentures from slipping.
Implant-supported dentures
If you don’t want to remove your dentures each night, consider implant-supported dentures. Implant-supported dentures connect to dental implants — small metal posts that integrate with your jaw. Getting implant-supported dentures takes several months, but with proper care, they can last a lifetime.
What does getting dentures involve?
At San Ramon Dental Excellence, getting dentures takes a series of at least two appointments spaced several weeks apart.
At your initial consultation, the team conducts an oral exam, reviews your dental health history, and asks about your goals for treatment. They then take oral X-rays to assess the health of your tooth roots, gums, and alveolar bone.
Next, the team takes digital impressions of your mouth. They send your impressions to a dental laboratory that manufactures your dentures. About a week later, you return to the office and try your new dentures on. The team makes adjustments as necessary, ensuring they fit comfortably.
If you’re getting implant-supported dentures, the process takes longer. Before crafting your dentures, the team places a number of implants in your jaw during an outpatient procedure. Once the implants integrate with your jaw, you return to the office for digital scans.
To learn more about the benefits of dentures, request a consultation at San Ramon Dental Excellence. Schedule an appointment with the online booking tool, or call the office to speak with a member of the administrative staff today.
