SPECIALTY

A denture is a removable appliance that replaces natural teeth after tooth loss has occurred. Dentures are made specifically for your mouth and can easily be removed for cleaning or before going to sleep. Dentures are made to look like your natural teeth in order to restore function and aesthetics to the mouth.

Types of Dentures

There are three main types of dentures available - full, partial, and implant-supported dentures.

• Full dentures are removable appliances that replace all of the upper or lower teeth. They sit directly on the gums and aren’t attached to any surrounding teeth or implants. A patient who loses all of their teeth and wants a solution that’s affordable may be a good candidate for full dentures.
• Partial dentures are used to replace some missing teeth. These custom prosthetics are held in place by the adjacent teeth. Many patients who only have several missing teeth are good candidates for partial dentures.
• Implant-supported dentures are the strongest and longest-lasting denture option available. They’re also the healthiest choice as they help prevent bone deterioration that can occur after tooth loss. Using dental implants to stabilize dentures is an excellent way to replace multiple teeth.

How Are Dentures Made?

First, our dentist will take an impression of your oral cavity using a soft putty-like material. This impression will be used to make a model used to form your denture. Our dentist may also take some measurements of your mouth and record the position of any remaining teeth.

Once the impressions have been made and the measurements recorded, a model of your jaw is created in a dental lab. From this model, a series of wax molds are made to create the denture base. A thin layer of pink acrylic is applied over the wax surface to create a smooth surface for the final denture.

When the final wax denture is complete, it is sent to the dentist for fitting. The dentist makes small adjustments to the teeth and checks the appearance and overall fit of the denture before it is finished and polished. 

Once your new custom denture is complete, you will return to the dentist’s office so we can check it for fit and function. At this stage, minor adjustments can be made to help you achieve the most comfortable and secure fit possible.

Caring for Dentures

Caring for your new denture is easy; however, you should always follow the recommended guidelines to ensure you are taking proper care of your denture as well as your oral health. 

Although your denture should last for several years, you may need to have it relined or replaced periodically to ensure it continues to fit well. Talk to our dentist about when you should schedule your routine visits to make sure your denture is in good condition and continues to fit properly.

For more information, contact our Alexandria dental office at (703) 823-2848 or 5130 Duke St, Suite 8, Alexandria, VA 22304, or our Manassas dental office at (703) 479-7654 or 8608 Centreville Rd, Manassas, VA 20110.