Dentures

We all want our natural teeth to stick with us for a lifetime. Unfortunately, that isn’t always possible. Here at Dental Doctors of NJ P.C., we can offer our patients several options that can restore their oral function and dental appearance. Although dentures get a bad reputation of being messy and uncomfortable, the advancements in dental technology help create dentures that are made with extremely high-quality, durable plastic and are comfortable, stronger, and look more natural than ever before.

Denture Basics
There is a wide variety of dentures that are available for patients who are missing some or all their teeth. There is no age limit to dentures, especially if they allow you to have a full smile.

Complete dentures replace all of your missing teeth either on the upper and/or lower jaw as they sit on the gums that cover your jawbone. If you’d like these dentures to be more secure, don’t hesitate to ask us about overdentures. Implant overdentures are attached to one or more tooth roots or to your dental implants so your bite is sturdy and won’t come loose.

We also offer partial dentures, which replace only some of the teeth and can attach to the rest of your natural teeth. We make sure to help you decide what type of denture is the best for you and create a treatment plan revolving around you and your smile.

Denture Types Defined
• Conventional Dentures: This option replaces all the missing teeth in the jaw on either the top or bottom of your mouth and rest on the gum tissue.
• Conventional Overdentures: This denture choice replaces all of your missing teeth and also rests on the gum tissue, but are also supported with an attachment to one or more tooth “roots” that have been surgically implanted.
• Implant Overdentures: They also replace all the missing teeth on the upper or lower jaw, but are surgically placed in with the help of dental implants.
• Conventional Partial Dentures: This option replaces some of your missing teeth, but are held in place with clasps that wrap around the adjacent teeth to keep them in place.
• Precision & Semi-Precision Partial Dentures: Also called attachment partial dentures, these replace some missing teeth and are held in place with the help of mechanical components called attachments.

The Process of Getting Your Dentures

There are important steps that need to be taken for our patients to safely and efficiently get their dentures. Before getting dentures, other dental treatment may be necessary. Also, the type of denture recommended will depend on your overall health, the number of your teeth, and the location of your missing teeth.

Here are some of the possible treatments that may be needed during this process:
• Extractions to remove any unhealthy teeth that will interfere or damage your dentures

• Fillings to remove any dental decay

• Impressions or molds of the contour, shape and size of your mouth to help create the dentures

• Surgically placing the root implant screws for implant overdentures
• And other necessary adjustments to ensure maximum comfort once the dentures are placed

What to Expect to Get Used to Your Dentures

It certainly won’t be easy to deal with dentures for the first time! It’s going to take some time to get used to the feeling of dentures, but after this time, you should be able to comfortably talk, eat, and smile. You’ll be happy to share your smile with your friends and family instead of hiding your mouth or being embarrassed by laughing.

When your dentures are placed, here are some familiar feelings that you’ll be experiencing in the beginning:
• A feeling of fullness in the mouth, cheeks, lips, and general facial region. This generally subsides quickly, but it’ll certainly be an initial shock.
• Temporary changes in speech and sounds, but it’ll typically be more noticeable to you than to others. You’ll still be adjusting to the way you talk with the dentures in. Try to speak slowly and enunciate properly to help your tongue get used to the new feeling so you can adapt faster.
• Changes in the way you chew; you’ll have to get used to the jaw movements that are required for chewing while wearing dentures and this may take the longest. Try with small pieces of soft foods first and, once you’re comfortable, start increasing the firmness of your food and the amount of food that you can safely chew.

If you have any questions regarding our dentures, or to schedule an appointment with your Belleville NJ dentist, call our office today at (973) 450-0511.