Complete Dentures

Complete dentures are the best option for the edentulous patient. It is a removable replacement for missing teeth and adjacent tissues. Complete dentures are "conventional," "immediate," or "implant-supported." Dentures will improve chewing ability and speech, as well as provide support for facial muscles.

A conventional denture is made after the bone and tissue has completely healed from extractions. This usually takes about three months.

An immediate denture is made prior to having teeth extracted, so you never have to go without teeth. The same day the teeth come out, the denture is delivered. After extractions, the jaw bones remodel during healing, with the bulk of change within the first few months. The drawback to an immediate denture is that it will require more adjustments over time as the jaw heals, including the possibility of adding more material or even remaking the denture.

An implant-supported denture rests on and is retained by between two and six surgically placed titanium implants. With the support of implants, dentures are usually much more stable and retentive. If time, finances, and jaw bone quality permit, implant-supported dentures offer the most superior fit and function of all complete dentures.

Long time wearers need a new pair of dentures every 7-10 years. Over time bone resorbs causing the dentures to become loose. Muscle and skin also change over time, so dentures need to be remade every so often to account for these changes.

Dentures usually take about one month and five appointments to complete. Two appointments are for impressions, the third is to establish the bite, the fourth is the wax try-in to determine aesthetics, then the fifth and last appointment is the fitting of the final product.