If you want to improve the quality and look of your smile or restore the structure of your mouth, then dentures from our dentists in Lake City, FL, might be your best choice for treatment. Our team of dentists, dental technicians, and specialists work together to ensure that your new dentures offer you the most comfortable fit and the highest-quality fit possible.

We work closely with each of our patients to identify and pursue the best option for their needs, ensuring their dentures are made to their complete satisfaction. For more information about our dental services and helpful patient information, or to schedule an appointment for treatment with dentures, contact us!

What Are Dentures?

A denture commonly referred to as “false teeth”, is a removable appliance used to replace missing teeth and help restore your smile. If you have lost your natural teeth, whether as a result of gum disease (periodontitis), tooth decay, an injury, or another reason, replacing the missing teeth with dentures can help improve the appearance of your smile and restore your oral health. Dentures make it easier for patients to eat and speak better than they can without teeth. Our teeth provide our faces with the structural support they need to function and appear as we naturally do.

When you lose all of your teeth, your facial muscles may sag, and your facial structures can appear sullen. Dentures help fill out the appearance of your face and they can be made to closely resemble your natural teeth and gums. Dentures from our Lake City dental team can even improve the appearance of your smile, and with innovations in prosthodontics, your new dentures will be more comfortable than ever! Contact us today to schedule an appointment

Types Of Dentures

There are a number of types of dentures to choose from when it comes to selecting the best type of denture appliance for your dental needs, aesthetic preferences, and lifestyle requirements. For more information about the types of dentures available from Lake City Dental and to determine what type of denture is optimal for you, please call our office!

Full Dentures

Full dentures, commonly referred to as complete dentures or conventional dentures, consist of a full set of artificial, custom-made teeth that replaces all of your natural teeth. Complete dentures are removable and are usually selected for patients who have undergone a complete tooth extraction, during which all of their natural teeth are removed. Full dentures are made after the full healing cycle of the gums is completed, which may take several months.

During this time, temporary dentures may be placed as an interim solution and until the permanent dentures are made and placed. The base of each part of the denture is made from high-quality gum-shaded material, which comfortably sits over the patient’s gums and denture base. Full dentures exist in three forms: immediate full dentures, conventional full dentures, and implant-supported dentures.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures, commonly referred to as half dentures, are a great choice for patients who are missing only sections of their natural teeth in the top and/or bottom rows of their mouth. As with dental bridges, partial dentures fill in large gaps between several missing teeth. Unlike dental bridges, which are cemented in place, partial dentures are removable.

As with full dentures, the base of a partial denture is made from high-quality gum-colored material, and the denture fits over the natural gum, filling the gaps between existing teeth, which act as anchors and provide support to the denture. Implants or attachments, such as pontics or dental crowns, may be attached to the natural surrounding teeth with metal wires and metal clasps in order to provide support and retention to the surrounding teeth.

Immediate Dentures

Immediate dentures or same-day dentures are placed in the patient’s mouth immediately after they undergo a teeth-removal procedure. Patients who receive immediate dentures must undergo in-office denture adjustments several times, particularly in the first few months following the placement, in order to ensure a proper fit and full functional capabilities of the appliance.

These dentures can be more easily refitted than permanent dentures, as they accommodate for mouth changes that occur over time, as well as swelling in the gums and jaw, which often subsides during and following the gum-healing process.

Overdentures

Overdentures can be used if traditional dentures prove to be extremely uncomfortable, if traditional dentures are not beneficial, or if the patient has a few natural teeth remaining in their mouth. Overdentures are fitted over the roots of natural teeth and rest on either the natural teeth or on dental implants if no natural teeth are present.

Implant-supported dentures are among the alternatives to dentures that consist of replacement teeth retained by dental implants. Overdentures promote better digestion, reduce the chance of bone loss due to jaw bone simulation, and offer the benefit of adequate structural stability for facial support.

Why Should I Get Dentures?

In most cases in which dentures may be required, patients seek to replace missing teeth, yet other signs that may indicate getting dentures is appropriate include the presence of toothaches, prolonged gingivitis, poor overall oral health, and certain medical conditions. When patients lose several or all of their teeth, replacement teeth are required to fill in the gaps, and dentures are an excellent option for many patients seeking to restore their smile and oral functions for an improved overall quality of life and enjoyment of life.

Dentures are removable, artificial teeth that both look and feel like natural teeth. While partial dentures cover a segment of missing teeth, full dentures fill in the entire mouth when all of the patient’s natural teeth are missing or have been removed. Each type of denture offers an array of benefits, including the preservation of facial structures, the ability for patients to eat the foods they love, and restoring a confident smile with teeth that look and feel great. The following includes several benefits patients experience with dentures.

  • Preserve Your Facial Structure. Patients who lose most or all of their teeth also lose bone structure, which can alter their appearance. Fortunately, dentures restore essential components of facial structures for an improvement in the overall appearance.
  • Eat The Foods You Enjoy. Without teeth, you may not be able to eat the foods you love. With dentures, patients can eat the foods they love without issue. Well-fitting dentures ensure patients can eat food without experiencing difficulties.
  • Restore A Confident Smile. Losing your natural teeth can hamper your self-esteem. Dentures can provide you with a new, confident smile and prevent you from keeping your smile hidden. Dentures appear natural and complement your appearance.

How Are Custom Dentures Made?

The process of making and placing custom dentures, whether it’s full dentures, partial dentures, or another type of denture appliance, typically requires multiple weeks and several appointments with your Lake City dentist. Once the best type of denture for your needs is determined, your dentist will make a series of impressions, take various scans, and record measurements of your jaw and mouth, including digital dental X-rays, denture impressions, bite balancing, and natural-feature simulation.

Thereafter, your dentist will create models, wax forms, and other impression forms in the exact shape and position of the prosthesis to be made and then fit them into your mouth several times. Then, the dentist will send the scans, measurements, and models to our dental technician, who will use these items to craft your custom denture. For more information about our custom denture fabrication process, contact us.

How Long Do Dentures Last?

Over time, some patients make experience issues with their dentures. As a result of normal wear and tear, some dentures must be relined, remade, or rebased, a process by which a new base is made while the existing denture is preserved, or they may require denture repair. Our mouths change as we age, which can cause our dentures to loosen, making it difficult for us to chew and speak, resulting in irritation to the surrounding gums. The best way to ensure that your dentures endure is to contact Lake City Dental for a dental appointment.

How To Care For Your Dentures

Denture care is an integral aspect of maintaining high oral health and ensuring the longevity of your new teeth. Performing proper maintenance for your dentures each day is required in order to prevent the growth of bacteria and stains on your denture. Because the majority of dentures are removable, caring for your dentures may be simpler than caring for natural teeth. To help keep your dentures clean and your smile as healthy as possible, follow the instructions provided to you by your dentist. Consider the following tips for caring for your dentures.

  • Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth before inserting your dentures.
  • Rinse your dentures before brushing them to remove loose debris or food particles from them, and rinse them before placing them back in your mouth each day.
  • Gently brush your dentures with a soft-bristled brush each day to prevent staining and remove plaque.
  • When your dentures are not in use, keep them submerged in a denture-soaking solution in order to prevent them from warping.
  • Never expose your dentures to heat.
  • Never wear dentures that are cracked, chipped, or broken.
  • Handle your dentures carefully
  • Remove and rinse off your dentures after eating
  • Schedule regular dental checkups.
  • Call Lake City Dental if your dentures crack, break, or cause you discomfort.