A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Two types of dentures are available — complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.

Complete Dentures

Complete dentures can be either “conventional” or “immediate.” Made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has begun to heal, a conventional denture is ready for placement in the mouth about eight to 12 weeks after the teeth have been removed.

Why might I need dentures?

If you are missing several teeth or a full arch of your teeth, dentures can be used to replace the function and appearance of your natural teeth. Our specialist prosthodontists in Long Beach Dental Group create dentures that are comfortable and and natural looking, and we will take the time in our office to discuss all the options with you. If you would like a removable solution to restore your smile, dentures could be ideal for you.

It is important to replace missing teeth, even if just one is missing. If left untreated, your chewing and speaking will be affected, as additional strain is put on teeth either side of the gap, and your bite can become misaligned. The missing teeth and bone can also cause your face to sag and look older, and you could end up losing further teeth.

What are the advantages of dentures?

There are a number of benefits to choosing dentures to replace your missing teeth.

– You will have a full, natural-looking smile
– Dentures are durable and long-lasting
– They enable you to eat more foods and speak comfortably
– They can easily be removed
– They give support to any remaining teeth

How do dentures work?

There are three solutions available:

Complete dentures replace a full arch if you have lost all of your teeth. An acrylic plastic base, colored to match your gums, with a full set of teeth usually made from resin, fits over your own gums. Our dentist will take precise measurements of your mouth, which will be given to a dental technician who will custom-make your dentures so that they fit snugly over your gums and jawbone. Your dentist at Long Beach Dental Group will make sure your dentures are comfortable, and advise you on how to clean them and the best methods for keeping them securely in place.

Partial dentures replace one or more teeth, and are used if you still have some of your own teeth. The replacement teeth are specially created to fit the gaps you have, and to blend in with your remaining teeth. These are fixed to a metal framework that attaches to your natural teeth to hold in place.

Implant retained dentures are a more permanent solution for partial or complete dentures. Denture stabilization uses implants to secure overdentures in place. Implants are small titanium screws that are placed permanently in the jawbone and act in place of your tooth’s natural root. The implant provides a fixed, permanent anchor onto which your overdentures can be secured. Implant retained dentures offer a number of benefits over removable dentures:

– They fit securely to your gums
– They feel less intrusive
– They look and feel like real, natural teeth
– It’s easier to bite and chew with them
– Implants stimulate bone growth

It can take a while to get used to your new dentures, but modern dentures are more comfortable and natural looking than ever.

How do I look after my dentures?

Dentures must be looked after as if they were your natural teeth. Plaque can develop on dentures in much the same way as it can on natural teeth, which can put you at risk of gum disease.

With removable dentures, we recommend you take them out and clean them thoroughly with a soft brush. They should then be rinsed and soaked overnight in a denture cleaner.

Remember to keep your mouth clean too, by gently brushing your gums and tongue with a soft brush and rising with a mouthwash.

Contact Long Beach Dental Group at (562) 439-0494 to find out more about how dentures could work for you.