Dentures

What are dentures?

Dentures are removable devices that replace some or all of your natural teeth. They are an affordable restoration treatment that can improve the beauty of your smile in a relatively short period of time. 

Advancements in dental technology have revolutionized the way dentures look and fit. If you knew someone who had a negative experience with dentures in years past, you owe it to yourself to come in and learn what the newest technology makes possible. 

Living with missing teeth not only changes the appearance of your lower face and smile. It also makes it difficult to eat a wide range of foods, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Your speech can also be negatively affected, and communication problems can eventually lead to social isolation. 

What types of dentures are available?

Santa Monica Bay Dental offers complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures replace all of your teeth and include one arch for your upper jaw and one arch for your lower jaw. They fit snugly against your gum tissue and are removed at night for cleaning and for your oral hygiene routines. 

Partial dentures are an option if you still have numerous healthy, natural teeth. These dentures consist of a span of artificial teeth anchored into place by surrounding natural teeth.  

If dentures are not your preferred restoration solution, you may want to consider bridgework, which consists of one or more artificial teeth held into place by crowns on the adjacent teeth. Another approach is dental implants, which are permanently anchored into your bone tissue. 

A great alternative to dentures is a system called All-on-4Ⓡ. This consists of an arch of artificial teeth held into place by four permanent dental implants in both the upper and lower jaw.  

How can I make dentures last as long as possible?

Today’s dentures are much more durable than those of decades past, and you can expect your dentures to last 10 years or more. There are steps you can take to get the most value out of your dentures.

Be sure to thoroughly brush your gums, tongue, and palate every day to keep your gums healthy. Gum loss can alter the fit of your dentures over time. Clean your dentures daily, and be sure to place them in a soaking solution when they are not in your mouth. 

If your dentures sustain a chip, crack, or break, never attempt to repair them on your own. Bring them to Santa Monica Bay Dental for repairs. 

When you’re ready to explore dentures in more detail, call the office or book an appointment using the fast and easy online scheduling page.