Replace Missing Teeth with Dentures

What Are Dentures?

Traditional dentures are removable appliances that fit over your gums to restore the function of your smile after tooth loss. Depending on how many teeth you are missing, you may be a candidate for full or partial dentures. 

Full dentures consist of a flesh colored base and a set of prosthetic teeth. The base of upper dentures covers the roof of your mouth, while lower dentures are typically shaped like a horseshoe. Partial dentures are created in a similar fashion, with a plastic base supporting artificial teeth. However, they are often supported by a metal framework that attaches to your surrounding teeth. 

Designing Your Dentures

At your initial consultation, Dr. Moncada will review your tooth replacement options. We will also take a series of scans and x-rays to assess your oral health. If you have sufficient jawbone tissue, Dr. Moncada may recommend an implant-supported restoration rather than a traditional denture. For patients who elect for a traditional denture, the next step is to take a series of impressions. Dr. Moncada will also take measurements of your bite to ensure your dentures fit comfortably in your smile.

Using this information, we can create a model or wax-up to resemble the color, shape, and fit of your denture. Once you are satisfied with the expected result, we will send the impressions to our dental lab. We may fit you with a temporary restoration to protect your oral health while you wait, since it typically takes a few weeks for the final restoration to return from the lab. When your dentures are complete, Dr. Moncada will perform a final evaluation and make any necessary adjustments, before revealing your newly restored smile.

Living with Dentures

It may take a few weeks for you to acclimate to your new restoration. Your dentures may feel odd or loose until the muscles in your cheeks and tongue learn to hold them in place. It is not unusual for patients to experience minor irritation or soreness when they first start wearing dentures. However, these issues should diminish as you adjust. 

A set of custom dentures from Windermere Dental Group can restore aesthetics and function to your smile.

With proper care, dentures can last for many years. However, they may need to be relined or rebased due to normal wear as well as changes in your gums and jaw. To extend the life of your dentures, you should brush them daily and make sure they do not dry out. It is also important to brush your gums, tongue, and palate before you insert your dentures in the morning to remove food deposits and plaque. Dentures are delicate and can break if dropped. If your dentures break, chip, crack, or become loose, contact our office right away so we can adjust them for you. 

Implant-supported Dentures

For qualifying patients, Dr. Moncada also offers dentures supported by dental implants. Implant-supported dentures are permanently affixed to small titanium posts surgically embedded in your jaw. By replacing the entire structure of your tooth from root to chewing surface, implant-supported restorations protect your jaw against tissue degeneration due to missing teeth. They provide an incredibly lifelike solution to tooth loss. 

Restore Your Smile

A set of custom dentures from Windermere Dental Group can restore aesthetics and functionality to your smile. When missing teeth are left unaddressed, you are vulnerable to more significant oral health issues. Send our office a message or call us at (407) 294-1132 to schedule an appointment today and learn more about dentures.