Dentures – Royal Palm Beach, FL

Effects of Missing Teeth

Tooth loss is often caused by injuries, tooth decay, and gum disease, and it can have serious consequences for your oral health. The American Academy of Periodontology reports that tooth loss can result in problems like speech difficulties, facial sagging, trouble eating, reduced self-esteem, and the remaining teeth drifting out of alignment, which can make them more vulnerable to trauma and infection.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

Dentures may be a good choice for you if:

• You are missing all or most of your teeth throughout a dental arch.
• You have sensitive teeth or extensive decay.
• Your gums and jawbones are relatively healthy.
• You are struggling with the inconveniences of missing or badly damaged teeth, such as difficulty eating and embarrassment when you smile.
• You want a cost-effective way to rebuild your grin.

Once you receive dentures, you’ll have to commit to proper oral hygiene and maintenance to keep your appliance in great shape. Depending on your situation, you can replace several or many missing teeth with a partial denture or a whole arch of teeth with a full denture. If you’re looking for a restoration that delivers maximum chewing power and the most stable hold possible, implant dentures may be the best option for you.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

Dentures aren’t the only way to replace lost teeth. If dentures are not right for you, Dr. Civetti can help you explore other tooth replacement options such as:

Dental bridges: A great solution for those missing one or a few teeth in a row, these appliances must be supported by healthy teeth on either side of the gap.

Dental implants: Considered the ideal way to replace lost teeth, dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone and fused with its structure through the natural process of osseointegration. These posts can then support a restoration such as a crown, bridge, or denture while providing maximum strength and security. While implants are more costly than traditional dentures, they are permanent.

<Learn More About Dental Implants>

What are Dentures Made Of?

Dentures consist of two equally important parts: the artificial teeth and the base that holds them in place within the mouth. Here’s an overview of these components:

• Denture base: This serves as the foundational structure that supports the teeth and anchors the appliance. Bases can be made from materials like acrylic, nylon, resin, metal, and porcelain. Full dentures are typically crafted from acrylic that can be made to match the appearance of natural gum tissue, and the bases of partial dentures usually incorporate metal clips so they can connect to the remaining natural teeth.
• Artificial teeth: A denture’s teeth are usually made from materials that can match the appearance of natural enamel such as resin or porcelain. While porcelain is a popular option because it is incredibly lifelike and durable, it is not typically used for partial dentures since it can be abrasive on neighboring natural teeth.

The Denture Creation Process

Each denture is customized to provide the patient with a comfortable fit and a functional bite. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the process of manufacturing one of these appliances:

• Step 1: Civetti uses dental trays and a specialized paste to take impressions of your lower and upper gums, and she may take measurements of your jaw. This creates a precise model of your mouth to ensure that your denture is crafted to the right size and shape.
• Step 2: A cast is made from these impressions and sent to a trusted laboratory where a skilled technician will craft a wax replica of your gumline.
• Step 3: The technician sets teeth made from acrylic resin into the appliance using a machine called an articulator before sculpting the wax to make it match your gums.
• Step 4: This wax denture is sent back to our office so you can try it on. If you and Dr. Civetti approve of it, the appliance will be sent back to the lab to be finalized.
• Step 5: At the lab, the technician places the denture in a flask filled with plaster to retain its shape before boiling it to remove the wax. This creates a negative mold of the final appliance within the plaster.
• Step 6: The technician makes holes in the artificial teeth, adds a liquid separator to the inside of the plaster mold, and injects acrylic into the flask to replace the wax.
• Step 7: The technician carefully removes the plaster and cleans the appliance with an ultrasonic bath to reveal the final denture.
• Step 8: The technician trims any excess acrylic and polishes the appliance to perfection.
• Step 9: The completed denture arrives at our office for fitting. After any final adjustments, you’ll be ready to show your new smile to the world.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

You may experience mild soreness or difficulty eating and speaking when you first get your dentures, but these issues will fade as you get used to wearing them. Eventually, your dentures will feel very much like natural teeth. You can speed this acclimation process up by eating soft foods, exercising your facial muscles, and practicing speaking in private. If the discomfort persists or seems to get worse, contact our office.