Dr. Gregory Hillyard and Dr. Alexandra Monroe treat patients with full and partial dentures. Dentures provide a great restorative dental solution for the replacement of a full arch of missing teeth. They can improve your quality of life by restoring confidence, function, and strength to your smile. This treatment looks natural and fits comfortably and securely in your mouth. Learn more below about how we treat patients with dentures in our Media, PA office. We will also review why you should replace missing teeth.
Why Replace Missing Teeth?
Missing teeth compromise the natural structure and stability of your entire smile. Over time, the consequences of missing teeth present a broader range of systemic health complications. Replacing missing teeth as soon after the loss as possible can prevent secondary conditions from developing and protect against more complex complications.
Patients who replace their missing teeth experience an increase in function, form, and confidence. Many patients avoid replacing missing teeth or loose teeth due to a fear of visiting the dentist. Our team works with patients to ensure that they are safe, comfortable, and confident in their decision to replace their missing teeth.
We talk to our patients through each phase of treatment and offer sedation dentistry options for optimal comfort.
Full Dentures in Media, PA
Full dentures are used to replace all of the upper or lower teeth. They can either be fixed or removable. Fixed dentures are anchored by dental implants. This type of restoration provides an excellent and long-term solution with no chance of slippage. Implant-supported dentures also help to maintain the bone structure in the face.
While there is a greater investment initially, implant-supported dentures provide superior long-term benefits.
Removable dentures are still ideal for patients that have a limited budget. They’re cheaper, but don’t provide the long-term benefits that you see with fixed dentures. Instead of being anchored by dental implants, an adhesive is used to adhere the denture to your gums.
It may take time to find the right adhesive that works best for you. If the adhesive doesn’t work well, it can lead to slippage with the dentures. This can irritate the gum tissue, leading to sore gums. While your diet will be improved with removable dentures, you won’t be able to consume the variety that you can with fixed dentures. You get much of your bite function back, but not all.
Lastly, removable dentures require a bit more maintenance than fixed. Fixed dentures can be taken care of much like your regular teeth. Brush and floss regularly, and visit your Media, PA dentist every six months for a regular checkup.
Because of the adhesive, removable dentures need some extra care. They’ll need to be taken out and cleaned properly every night. This can involve scrubbing them down with a toothbrush or soaking them in a special solution.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are used to replace several missing teeth. Like full dentures, they can either be fixed or removable. Partial dentures are similar to dental bridges. If the partial denture is fixed, it uses the support of dental crowns or dental implants.
Dentures and Partials FAQs
Learn more about dentures and partials in Media, PA, with answers to these common questions:
Can you leave partial dentures in all the time?
No. We do not recommend that you leave partial dentures all the time. You should remove them at night to give your gums a chance to rest and prevent any potential damage to your oral tissues. Also, removing your dentures for regular cleaning can help prevent oral health issues like gum disease and bad breath.
Do dentures prevent bone loss?
Removable dentures may not prevent bone loss because they will not replace the roots of the missing teeth. They do not stimulate the jawbone. However, implant dentures use secure implant posts that help support healthy jaw bone.
How long do implant dentures last?
With proper care and maintenance, implant dentures can last 20 years or more. Dentists design them to be durable. However, the materials can break down over time. To ensure the best longevity, you should practice good oral hygiene and get regular check-ups with your dentist.
Can I get an implant denture if I have jaw bone loss?
Yes, you can still get an implant denture even if you have jaw bone loss. When you get an implant denture, dental implants are placed in your jawbone to hold the dentures in place securely. If there isn’t enough bone to support these implants, our dentist may suggest bone grafting.
Bone grafting is when a small piece of bone is taken from another part of your body or from a donor source and attached to your jawbone. This helps to create a stronger base for the implants. After the bone grafting, you usually need to wait a few months for the bone to heal and grow before getting the implants. Once your jawbone is healthy enough, we can place the dental implants to support your denture.
How many teeth can a partial replace?
A partial denture can replace one or more missing teeth. The exact number of teeth a partial denture can replace depends on the individual case and the extent of the missing teeth. A dentist can evaluate you and recommend the best treatment plan, which may include a partial denture.
How uncomfortable are partial dentures?
Initially, partial dentures can be uncomfortable for some patients. They may take some time to adjust to. The dentures may feel bulky in the mouth and cause some soreness or irritation of the gums. This discomfort should subside after a few days or weeks.
Speaking and eating may also be challenging at first, but most patients find their ability to do so improves with practice and time. Good oral hygiene routines and regular dental check-ups are essential for ensuring the best fit and functions of partial dentures.
How soon after extraction can I get dentures?
A dentist can place dentures immediately after tooth extraction. However, we usually recommend that patients wait around 4 to 6 weeks. This waiting period allows the gums to fully heal and shrink, which can improve the fit and comfort of the dentures. We can evaluate each case and find the best time to get dentures after a tooth extraction.
Do implant dentures have age restrictions?
You’re never too old to get dental implant-supported dentures. Even if you’re older, you can often still get implant dentures! As long as your jawbone is in good shape and you’re healthy enough for a small surgery, it might be a good option.
Because implant dentures need are attached to your jawbone, your jawbone needs to be strong and healthy enough to hold the implants in place. Teenagers are still growing, and their jawbones aren’t quite ready for implants. We will recommend implant dentures for patients who have enough healthy jaw bone.
Contact Our Media, PA Dental Office
Do you need to replace missing teeth? Get dentures and partials in Media, PA. Call our dental office today for comfortable, personalized care at 610.566.0291. You can also schedule an appointment with us online.