Goodlettsville Dental Services

Cosmetic dentures or false teeth are, simply put, replacements of missing teeth. The false teeth can replace all the upper teeth or all the lower teeth (known as full dentures), or parts where groups of teeth are missing (called partials). Cosmetic Dentures are becoming a very popular treatment choice for patients needing replacement of older, worn out dentures and patients seeking an attractive alternative to multiple dental implants. Many of Dr. Weaver’s patients are discovering that they now have choices in the different types of dentures and partials that can be fabricated with cosmetic qualities that rival today’s popular veneer and implant crown restorations.

While a full set of teeth provides a framework for the rest of your mouth, it also acts as a support to the muscles holding together the structure of your face. Teeth dentures act as the perfect solution in providing the necessary support for your mouth and face and help to overcome the associated problems of sagging facial muscles and enhanced aging. The result is a renewed confidence in your smile and the enhancement of your life and sense of happiness.

Factors Influencing Cosmetic Denture Treatment

Dr, Weaver will recommend the option of going in for Cosmetic Dentures after giving due consideration to all the following factors.

Medical Health: If teeth need to be removed, you must be in good medical health. Generally cosmetic dentures can be made for anyone as it is a non invasive procedure.

Teeth Health: If you have some teeth remaining they must be in good health before cosmetic dentures can be made.

Gum Health: Irrespective of whether you are having a partial cosmetic denture or a full cosmetic denture your gums must be in good health. If you are having a full cosmetic denture there should also be enough gum ridges so that the cosmetic denture has good retention.

Oral Hygiene: You must have good oral hygiene in order not to get infections if considering cosmetic denture treatment.

Your Bite: Cosmetic dentist will record the way you bite your jaw together when making cosmetic dentures, as well as taking accurate records of your teeth and gums. This is important in the comfort of your cosmetic dentures.

Types Of Dentures

Complete Dentures: These replace all of your teeth, upper or lower. They are made of an acrylic base and the teeth may be acrylic or porcelain. Their comfort, appearance, and fit depend on muscle, bones, tongue, and saliva.

Immediate Dentures: Immediate Dentures are placed all at once, and may require additional adjustments after the healing process. They are placed at the time of teeth extractions during the surgery. It can take months for your bone and tissue to stabilize after tooth extractions. After that time period, the dentures often need to have a reline to make them fit more securely.

Upper Dentures: Upper Dentures tend to be a bit easier to adjust to. These are made of the same materials as a Complete Denture, but are designed to provide you with upper teeth only. Because they cover the whole roof of the mouth, they tend to have a bit better “suction” to stay in place than the lower dentures do. Some patients will need a thin application of denture adhesive to secure their dentures better.

Over Dentures: Over Dentures is a type of conventional denture similar to Complete Dentures. However, unlike Complete Dentures, not all teeth are extracted and they use one or more natural teeth for their support under the denture base. This type provides greater stabilization during chewing. They also tend to help conserve on the bone of the ridge because the roots in the bone keep the bone active.

Implant Supported Dentures: Implant supported dentures are like an over denture except that implants support the denture rather than any teeth. Implants are placed into the bone and then posts or attachments are placed on the implants that clip to the bottom of the denture. The implants are not seen and give great support and power to chewing. They also have the advantage of preserving bone levels under the denture. This is becoming a very popular way of restoring bony ridge health and the beauty of peoples’ smiles. It maintains facial contours better and jaw joint health too. In addition to these benefits, diets are improved with these dentures for better overall health.

Partial Dentures: Designed to correct the gaps in your smile when only some of your teeth are missing. Metal attachments are used to anchor the dentures to your natural teeth. Partial Dentures maintain tooth alignment by preventing your remaining teeth from shifting and also help prevent your loss of more teeth due to decay or gum disease.

Milestones In The Cosmetic Dental Procedure

Extraction of Damaged Teeth: It is somewhat common to require for some teeth to be extracted, and surgery in some cases is necessary to improve the bony ridges that stabilize your dentures.

Getting The Dimensions: The procedure which begins with a bite impression of the mouth is done in three steps and will give your dentist extremely accurate measurements. There is a preliminary imprint of your oral tissues, a final detailed imprint, and then a master cast model of your mouth.

Choosing Your New Teeth: Depending on the kind of dentures you’re getting, you may choose from a wide range of tooth shapes, sizes, and colors to more accurately fit your face and mouth. Once you and Dr. Weaver have finalized the shape, size, and color of your teeth, your final dentures can then be completed.

Initial Fitting: When your dentures are ready, Dr. Weaver will schedule an initial fitting and will then make any adjustments that need to be made to ensure a proper fit.

Future Adjustment, Rebasing, and Relining

With proper care, a set of dentures can last 5 to 10 years. However, it’s normal for the shape of your mouth to change over the years, or you may find that the shape of your mouth changes as it heals from tooth extraction. This will mean that your dentures may need rebasing or relining to ensure a proper fit. Rebasing is the replacement of your denture base – the soft pink part of your dentures. Relining is a resurfacing of the sides of your dentures.

Remember, adjusting your dentures is more complicated than it looks. Do not try to adjust your dentures yourself – let Dr. Weaver handle all adjustments.

At Rivergate Dental Care, we’ve treated patients from all over the Nashville area – including Goodlettsville, White House, Madison, Hendersonville, Gallatin and beyond! Give us a call today and soon you will be waking up to a new smile! 1 800 FIX MY TEETH