Dentures in Burr Ridge, IL
Full and partial dentures are an effective way to restore a smile for anyone missing one or more teeth. While they are a great alternative to teeth, they are not a replacement for teeth. Dentures sit over the gums and fit around your existing teeth. They are designed to be worn during the day and then removed and cleaned at night.
Dentures are a common alternative and supplement to dental implants and bridges. The prosthesis can be placed over implants and abutments, which is commonly referred to as an overdenture. Combining dental implants with dentures is a cost effective solution that also provides long term oral health benefits.
What are Dentures?
Dentures are a custom-made prosthesis that look, but do not act or feel like real teeth. Wearing dentures, whether it’s for a single missing tooth or many missing teeth, can take a while to get used to. In addition to comfort, it’s also important to get used to removing it at night and maintaining a clean mouth and clean denture. The fact is, it is never going to feel like real teeth, but they are becoming much more natural looking and comfortable to wear.
There are two main types – full dentures that replace all your teeth in the upper or lower jaw, and partial dentures that replace one or more missing teeth.
How Does It Work?
When you receive full dentures, an acrylic base that is the color of your flesh fits over your gums. The top set will cover the roof of your mouth and your lower denture will be a horseshoe shape, providing space for your tongue.
To make it custom to you, the dentist will take a mold of your mouth and then use that mold to fabricate it. This process can often take up to one month from start to finish. However, with recent technology advancements, we are now able to complete the process much faster so you don’t have to go weeks without teeth.
Dentures in a Day
At 1st Family Dental of Burr Ridge, we’re proud to be able to offer options for our patients to get fitted and have their prosthesis in hand the very next day. This process significantly reduces waiting times so patients can get back to looking and feeling like themselves.
How Long Do They Last?
Over time, they will begin to wear down, and as a person ages their mouth will also change causing it to not fit as comfortably as it once did. When this happens, it will need to be rebased, relined, or even replaced. Rebasing means that a new base is made for the denture. Dentures that no longer fit properly can make chewing difficult and also cause irritation to the gums. Your dentist will help you through the process and will evaluate the fit and effectiveness at your regular checkups.
Are Dentures Right for You?
This is an important question to ask and one you need to consider carefully. They are a cost effective alternative to dental implants, but do have some downsides including possible impacts to the structure of your mouth and jaw. They do not typically last a lifetime and they do have to be taken out and cleaned on a daily basis. However, for some people, they are the perfect and preferred option for missing teeth.
If you are interested in learning more about dentures as an option for you or a loved one, contact us at 1st Family Dental of Burr Ridge today to schedule your free consultation. We can help restore your smile and ensure you have a full set of beautiful and healthy teeth.
Contact us today to learn more about dentures and how they can benefit you.
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