Dentures: Restore Your Smile at Morgan Family Dental in Metairie
Restoring missing teeth with dentures is essential for preserving your facial aesthetics. Without the support of teeth, your cheeks and jaw may sag, leading to an aged appearance. At Morgan Family Dental, our full or partial dentures will help you regain your smile and restore your chewing and biting ability, allowing you to enjoy foods you might have had to avoid when missing teeth.
While dentures effectively replace the appearance of your teeth, they function as prosthetic devices. Dentures may perform differently from natural teeth, and their stability can vary among individuals. Your dentist will guide you on the types of food to avoid or consume differently. Adjusting to speaking with dentures may take some practice, but any initial difficulties typically pass with time.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures comprise a plastic base molded and colored to resemble your gums, with teeth made from a plastic acrylic. Both the gums and tooth portions of dentures are customized to ensure a natural appearance in your mouth.
Dentures provide a solution for those missing some or all of their teeth. They can come as a full set or a partial set designed to fill gaps between any remaining teeth.
Top dentures cover the ridge of bone where your teeth used to be and the roof of your mouth, or the palate. They are held in place by suction between the palate and the denture. Bottom dentures may be less secure and require more adjustment due to the lack of a palate.
Full Dentures
Full dentures attach to your gums via suction between the roof of your mouth and the denture. Bottom dentures may be less secure and require more adjustment due to the lack of a palate.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are secured in your mouth by clipping onto your existing teeth. Metal-based partials, or cast partials, are thinner and more durable but may have visible metal clips. Plastic-based partials, sometimes called flexible partials, have less visible plastic clips.
Procedure Overview
The denture procedure is relatively simple but may require multiple appointments. Your dentist will take a mold or scan of your gums and remaining teeth to create a model of your mouth for a custom-fit denture. You’ll return to try on your dentures and ensure they fit comfortably and securely. If the fit is good, you can wear your new dentures home; if not, your dentist will make adjustments.
Aftercare
Denture care is essential and includes removing them at night to give your gums a chance to rest and allowing saliva to naturally lubricate your mouth. Clean your dentures overnight using special denture toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush or denture brush. Avoid dropping your dentures on a hard surface; we recommend laying out a towel or filling the sink basin with water while cleaning. Soak dentures overnight in a denture solution to prevent brittleness caused by drying out.