With these conditions, you have several options:

Tooth Missing
Several Teeth Missing
All Teeth Missing

Partial Dentures, Full Dentures

Dentures refer to removable prosthetic replacements for missing teeth. Although it takes time to get used to dentures, and they may never feel like your natural teeth, dentures of today have come a long way and are much more comfortable and natural looking than ever before.

Dentures can be classified into two broad categories: partial and full. At Cornerstone Dental, based on your specific condition – whether a few or all of your teeth need replacement – and the cost involved, we help you to choose the best denture for you.

How do Dentures Work?

With full dentures, you would have a flesh-colored acrylic base fitted over your gums. The upper dentures covers your palate, while the lower denture has a horseshoe like shape meant to accommodate your tongue.

To help you determine which denture is best for you, described below are the three types of dentures:

Conventional Full Denture

After removal of any remaining teeth from your mouth and healing of all tissues, a conventional full denture would be placed in your mouth. It can take several months before the tissues are completely healed, and during this time you would be without teeth.

Immediate Full Denture

An immediate full denture is a complete denture inserted on the same day, immediately following the removal of your natural teeth. While there is the obvious benefit of not having to be toothless for a period of time, this type of denture has to be relined several months after its insertion. This is because the bone, which supports the teeth, reshapes itself as it heals, and this causes the denture to become loose.

Partial Denture

A partial denture is made to rest on a metal framework that has been attached to your natural teeth. Occasionally, crowns placed on some of your natural teeth serve as anchors for the denture. A Partial denture is a removable alternative to bridges.

How Long Does It Take To Get Used to the Dentures?

It is normal to feel uncomfortable or awkward with your dentures for some weeks, or even months. You will need a little practice to get used to speaking and eating with dentures. It is not unusual to get a loose or bulky feeling, while your tongue and cheek muscles adapt to holding your dentures in place. During this time, you may also experience excessive flow of saliva, a feeling that your tongue doesn’t have ample room, or some minor soreness or irritation. If you are experiencing irritation, please call us immediately.

How Long would the Dentures Last?

You will need to get your dentures relined, remade or rebased after a certain period of time. In rebasing, the denture base is replaced with a new one; however, the old denture retains the teeth. Also, the mouth changes naturally with the ageing process. This causes the dentures to loosen and irritate your gums, making chewing difficult. The minimum recommendation is to visit us annually for a checkup.

Tips to take proper care of your dentures:

• To avoid accidental breaking of the dentures, stand over a basin of water or folded towel when handling them.
• Do not allow the dentures to dry out. You should have them soaking in plain water or denture cleanser soaking solution when you are not using them. However, you should never use hot water, which can result in their warping.
• You should also brush your dentures daily, to make sure that all plaque and food deposits are removed; this way they don’t become stained.
• It is also recommended that every morning, using a soft-bristled brush, you brush your palate, tongue and gums before inserting your dentures. This enhances blood circulation in the tissues and helps to remove plaque.
• You should call us immediately if your dentures have broken, chipped, cracked or have become loose. Never try to fix your dentures on your own, as this may damage them beyond repair.