| Complete Dentures |
A complete denture is necessary when all upper or lower teeth are extracted. This can happen due to extensive decay, periodontal disease or an accident. When the teeth are initially extracted a patient has two choices for dentures, Immediate or Conventional. Immediate Dentures are placed right after the extractions are done. They must be worn during the healing period in hopes that the patients gums will heal to the shape of the new denture. Because the healing process is very individualized it is nearly impossible to predict how a person's mouth will heal after full extractions. Immediate dentures are very uncomfortable to wear because they are worn over stitches and healing, swollen and sore gum tissues. Because all of the teeth have been extracted, it is likely that the gums or ridge will shrink. Each person has a different amount of shrinkage. While immediate dentures offer the benefit of having teeth during this healing period, it is very unlikely that they will fit well after the mouth has healed. Most likely, it will be necessary to either redo the part of the denture that sits on the gums, called a reline or to make a new denture completely. This can lead to significant extra cost and frustration. Conventional dentures are made after teeth have been extracted and the mouth has healed or to replace existing dentures. Making conventional dentures which fit well involves the use of a dental laboratory and a series of appointments which include two different types of impressions and two different types of fitting appointments prior to the delivery of the denture. Appointment #1: The first appointment is for an initial impression. From that impression models will be made of the patient's mouth. These models allow us to make a custom fit impression tray. Appointment #2: We use this tray to take a more defined impression of the patients gums at the second appointment. This impression will be sent to the laboratory. The lab will send back the part of the denture that will sit on the gums with wax in place where the teeth will go. Appointment #3: The dentist will check to make sure the denture fits on the gums properly. Also, the dentist will let the lab know how they will need to place the teeth on the denture in order for the patient to be able to chew properly. The patient and dentist will work together to choose the size, shape and color of the new teeth. Appointment #4: At this visit, the denture has the teeth on it, but they are set in wax. This allows the patient and doctor to evaluate the new denture and try it in to make sure that it is both aesthetically pleasing and properly functional. If there is someone whose opinion the patient wants on the new dentures, they are encouraged to come to this appointment and weigh in. Once this step has been approved by all concerned parties, the denture returns to the lab to be finished. Appointment #5: The denture is placed in the patient's mouth and any appropriate adjustments are made. Appointments 6,7 & 8: After the delivery, a patient often needs to return for adjustments because the dentures will move as the patient chews and speaks and may cause sore spots. On average a new conventional denture needs to be adjusted three times. These initial adjustments are included in your cost. Replacement Dentures: No denture is going to last as long as your natural teeth. Due to wear and aging, dentures will need to be replaced every five to ten years. Also if a patient loses or gains weight, the size and shape of their mouth will change necessitating either a reline or a new denture depending on the extent of the change. Replacement dentures are made using the same steps as a conventional denture. |
Gorham Family Dentistry, P.A.
| Models Appointment 1 |
| CustomTray Appointment 2 |
| Wax Rim - Appointment 3 |
| Wax Try-In Appointment 4 |
| Completed Denture |
