Dentures & Partial Dentures in Buffalo, NY
Experienced Amherst Dentist Specializing in Dentures, Implants, and Oral Surgery in WNY
Despite our best efforts, we can sometimes lose teeth. Dietary conditions such as hypocalcemia and hypovitaminosis D (calcium and vitamin D deficiencies, respectively) can contribute to malnourishment, a common culprit in partial edentulism, the state of having lost teeth.
Irregular brushing with toothpaste, flossing, rinsing with mouthwash, and checkups with a dental care professional can allow teeth to decay and bacteria to infiltrate and infect portions of the mouth.
Blunt trauma to the mouth, such as injuries sustained during recreational activities or automotive accidents, easily weakens a tooth’s stability and may result in avulsion, when a tooth is abruptly forced out of the jaw.
In each of these cases, when the damage is irreversible, a full or partial denture can restore normal mouth function. Dr. Samantha Smith provides dentures and other restorative dental services to patients throughout the greater Buffalo area.
There are four basic kinds of dentures: full and partial, and fixed and removable. Full dentures are recommended when a patient has multiple missing teeth in either the maxilla (the upper jaw) or the mandible (the lower jaw), while a partial denture is more appropriate for one or two missing teeth, regardless of location.
Many patients may prefer a fixed denture, also known as a dental implant bridge, which is permanent and secured either under or against the gum line via implants or crowns. However, the health of the intact teeth is crucial in the decision, and a removable denture is better suited for mouths that are not in optimal condition to receive permanent false teeth.
All four types of dentures have the same benefits to oral health. Chewing hard foods and speaking with proper enunciation become increasingly difficult with fewer than the standard 28 or 32 teeth, and dentures can both relieve the added stress on the remaining teeth and prevent them from shifting.
They can prevent the face from changing following edentulism, provide support to the lips and cheeks, and help reduce the ever-present threat of gum diseases such as periodontitis.
Dentures comprise replacement teeth that are attached to a metal tray, over which an acrylic designed to mirror the color of your gums is laid. Fixed and removable partial dentures may also include clasps or crowns that attach to the abutting teeth (the teeth on either side of a gap).
An Immediate denture may be inserted into the mouth promptly after the removal of any lingering teeth, allowing for a quick resumption of daily activities, but because the gums can shift or shrink after tooth removal, a conventional denture that will better fit the mouth will have to be designed and inserted once the gums have healed.
To receive dentures, a procedure that may last for one to two months, a dentist must first make an impression of the patient’s mouth. Sample dentures are placed in the mouth to determine the specifics—the shape and color—of the final model. As soon as the conventional denture is designed and manufactured, it is adjusted as needed and ready for the patient to wear.
There is not much pain involved. Soreness can result if teeth must be extracted before a patient is fit for them. If your new teeth create sore spots in your mouth, your dentist will need to relieve the spot causing the pain.
Dentures can be inserted on the same day as the removal of the diseased teeth. These are called immediate dentures. However, this type of denture often needs to be relined or replaced as the mouth’s tissues heal and shrink.
If you think you may need a denture, the first step is to schedule a checkup with your dentist. If all your teeth are significantly infected with periodontal disease or extensive decay, you may be a strong candidate. However, teeth can be saved, and we prefer to try to save them before considering replacement.
If you have questions about replacing missing teeth or securing your loose or uncomfortable denture with implants, please contact our Buffalo dental office and schedule an appointment today.