As we age, our teeth become worn down, decayed, or lost for various reasons. Losing teeth can make everyday things like eating and talking more difficult. Dentures offer a simple way to bring back your smile and restore function. We provide high-quality custom dentures right here at Henderson Family Dental in Dallas, TX. Our goal is to create dentures that look natural, feel comfortable, and fit securely so you can smile with confidence.
Dentures are one of the most popular restorative dental services we offer. Thanks to modern advancements, today’s dentures don’t just replace missing teeth. They also improve chewing, speaking, and even your overall appearance. With a well-made set of dentures, you can maintain your facial structure and prevent the sunken look that often comes with missing teeth.
If you have several missing teeth or need extractions, dentures may be the right choice for you. We’ll walk you through all your options and help you decide on the best fit for your needs.
Types of Dentures
Dentures can fall into two main categories: partial dentures and complete dentures. The right option for you will depend on how many teeth you’re missing and your overall oral health.
If you still have some healthy natural teeth, a partial denture can help fill in the gaps. These dentures have a gum-colored base with artificial teeth attached. They stay in place using small clasps or precision attachments that connect to your remaining teeth. A partial denture will keep everything stable and prevent your natural teeth from shifting out of place.
For those missing all their upper or lower teeth, complete dentures offer a full-arch replacement. These dentures rest on your gums and are held in place with suction, muscle control, or denture adhesive. Our dentists provide full dentures for your top jaw, bottom jaw, or both. We make custom dentures that are specifically made to fit your mouth, so you won’t find any generic solutions here.
Getting Custom Dentures in Dallas, TX
We will take the time to make sure your dentures look, feel, and function just right. The process involves several steps, but each one is important to ensure a great fit. Here is an overview of how we develop traditional dentures and partials in Dallas, TX:
- Consultation & Exam: First, we’ll check your remaining teeth, gums, jaw structure, and oral health. We’ll discuss whether dentures are right for you and if you need any extractions or other treatments beforehand.
- Impressions & Measurements: Next, we take precise impressions of your mouth. These molds help us create dentures that fit comfortably and function naturally for you.
- Denture Creation: Using these molds, a dental lab will carefully craft your custom dentures. They will shape and color them to match your facial features. If you need teeth removed, we may provide a temporary denture to wear while your final denture is being made.
- Final Fitting & Adjustments: Once your dentures are ready, you’ll come back for a fitting. If they feel too loose or uncomfortable, we’ll make the necessary adjustments before sending you home. We’ll also show you how to care for them so they last as long as possible.
Temporary Dentures and their Purpose
In some cases, we recommend temporary, or immediate dentures. These are designed to be worn right after tooth extractions, but they aren’t meant for long-term use. They will help you chew and speak comfortably while your gums heal and you wait for your final dentures.
Temporary dentures also help shape and condition your gums, making it easier to adjust to permanent dentures. If extractions are part of your treatment plan, we’ll let you know if an immediate denture would be beneficial.
How to Care for Your New Dentures
Proper care keeps your dentures looking good and lasting longer. Here’s what you need to know about maintenance:
- Removable Dentures: If you have a traditional denture, clean it daily with a denture cleaner and a soft toothbrush. Brush your gums and any remaining teeth with a non-abrasive toothpaste. At night, soak your dentures in water or a denture solution to keep them from drying out and cracking.
- Implant-Supported Dentures: If your dentures are secured with implants, you won’t need to remove them for cleaning. Instead, brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush and regular toothpaste. Flossing can be tricky around implants, so we suggest using water flossers or threaded floss to keep the area clean.
Regular dental checkups are important too. Even if you no longer have natural teeth, we recommend visiting our office at least twice a year. This allows us to check the fit of your dentures, make adjustments, and ensure your gums stay healthy. If you wear removable dentures, you might need occasional relining or repairs to keep them fitting well.
Implant-supported Dentures at Henderson Family Dental
Implant-supported dentures are a more secure and natural-feeling alternative to traditional dentures. These anchor to your jaw using dental implants, unlike regular dentures that sit on your gums. The implants are biocompatible titanium that fuses with your bone to create a stable foundation for your new teeth.
Once the denture is attached to the implant posts, it stays firmly in place. You won’t have to worry about them slipping, shifting, or feeling uncomfortable. This makes eating and speaking much easier. Implant-supported dentures are a great option for patients who are missing most or all their teeth, have good overall health, and have enough bone density to support the implants.
Why Choose Implant-Supported Dentures?
An implant-supported denture will significantly improve chewing efficiency, speech clarity, and overall oral health. It also helps preserve the jawbone, preventing the bone resorption that is common with tooth loss.
Implant dentures offer:
- Stable: With implants, you no longer have to worry about slipping dentures. Once the implant posts fuse with the jaw bone, they provide the same stability as healthy tooth roots. You don’t have to worry about your new teeth moving around your mouth when you eat or talk.
- Functional: Implants improve your bite force and function. Because implants replace the tooth roots with titanium materials, you can bite and chew easier than with removable dentures. It will be easier to eat a wider variety of foods, including harder and chewier options.
- Long-Lasting Results: Because implants support and stimulate the jawbone, they help prevent bone loss and keep your facial structure intact. Removable dentures don’t offer support to surrounding bone or gum tissue. So they may need more frequent replacement.
The Process of Getting Implant-Supported Dentures
Before moving forward with implant-supported dentures, we’ll check to make sure your jawbone is strong enough to hold the implants. We may recommend a bone graft to build up the area if you have lost bone in your jaw. We’ll also address any other dental issues before beginning the implant process.
Once your mouth is ready, we’ll take digital X-rays to map out the best placement for the implants. These images help us decide how many implants you need and what type of denture will work best for you.
Dr. Jeff Nguyen partners with an experienced oral surgeon for the implant placement. During this procedure, They will numb your mouth and surgically place the implants in to your jawbone. Your bone will naturally grow around the implants over the next three to six months.
After the implants have fully healed, we’ll place small connectors called abutments onto them. These pieces will attach your denture to the implants. Your gums will need a little more time to heal after this step. Once they do, we’ll secure your custom denture in place, making sure it fits comfortably and functions just like natural teeth.
Our team at Henderson Family Dental is here to help you every step of the way. Call today to schedule a consultation and find out if implant-supported dentures are right for you.
Replace Your Lost Teeth Today
Stop struggling with missing teeth and restore function and confidence to your smile today. Contact our Henderson Family Dental to learn more about dentures and which type is right for you. We create custom dentures in Dallas to fully meet your oral health and aesthetic needs. Call our Dallas dental practice at 214-253-4868 or schedule an appointment online.
If you have questions about dentures, let us know at your next visit. We will find the right type of dentures for you.