Are missing teeth making it difficult to eat? Do your missing teeth impact your self-confidence in social situations? If you have multiple missing teeth, including rows or arches of teeth, dentures can restore your smile’s function and aesthetics. Missing teeth can make everyday tasks like eating difficult or uncomfortable. Dentures are natural-looking replacement teeth that allow patients to eat, drink and speak naturally. At Monokian Dentistry, we offer pre-made and custom dentures for patients in Haddonfield and Marlton, NJ.
Dentures: Types and Treatment
Dentures may be partial or complete. Sometimes we will extract severely decayed or damaged teeth. Once all of the natural teeth are removed, patients can receive complete dentures. We place conventional full dentures after the gum tissue is healed over several months. Immediate full dentures are placed immediately after we extract the remaining teeth. Pre-made immediate dentures may require frequent adjustments during the first couple of months of use.
Partial dentures offer an alternative to dental bridges for patients with rows of missing teeth in different areas of their mouth. These dentures are attached to a metal frame connected to your natural teeth.
If patients do not require pre-made immediate dentures, we will work with a local dental lab to create custom-made dentures. To begin the denture process, we take detailed digital impressions and measurements of the mouth. We send this data to a dental lab, where they create the base for the denture and attach fake teeth. Our office will provide patients with temporary dentures as needed until their permanent dentures are complete.
We can also offer dental implants to secure dentures in place. Implants are titanium posts that we place in the jaw bone to support restorations like dentures for longer-lasting results.
How to Care for Your Dentures
Like natural teeth, dentures require daily maintenance. It’s important that you brush your dentures every day. To brush your dentures, use a soft-bristled brush and gently brush the surfaces of the dentures, being careful not to break or bend the plastic. Between brushings, it’s important to rinse your dentures after each meal.
Use a gentle cleanser to clean your dentures. Many kinds of toothpaste can be too hard on your dentures, so we recommend that you use a mild hand or dish soap. Check for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval to choose products that are safe for your dentures, or ask us about which products may be best for you.
When you are not wearing your dentures, make sure you keep them moist. Keeping your dentures in a cleaning solution or in water ensures that they stay in shape and can prevent cracking or breaking.
When handling your dentures, stand over a clean, folded towel or a sink full of water. This way, if you accidentally drop your dentures, they are less likely to break.
Restore Your Missing Teeth
Dentures aren’t for everyone. However, if you’re interested in learning more about dentures and want to know if they are the right choice, please schedule an appointment. You can request an appointment at our Haddonfield office or schedule an appointment at our Marlton office online.
Our team will be happy to answer any questions you might have and can determine the best course of treatment for your ongoing dental health.