Dentures

When it comes to dental health, dentures can become an essential aspect of when you have lost several teeth.If you need dentures or are simply curious about them, you’ve come to the right place because at Serene Dentistry of North Salt Lake in North Salt Lake, Utah, we proudly offer them to all our patients. Dentures can be a source of anxiety for many people, but understanding what they are and how they work can help alleviate some of the stress. Dr. Will Bates and their excellent dental team are here to clear up any questions you may have, and through proper care, we are here to help you get the best dental treatment for you and your oral needs. 

Types of Dentures

There are two main types of dentures: complete and partial. 

1. Complete Dentures: These types of dentures replace all teeth in the upper or lower jaw. 
2. Partial Dentures: These dentures are used when only some teeth are missing. Partial dentures can be removable or fixed. Removable partial dentures are attached to the remaining teeth with metal clasps. Fixed partial dentures, or dental bridges, are anchored to the remaining teeth with crowns.

How Are Dentures Made

Custom fitting is essential to the comfort and effectiveness of dentures. The process of making dentures involves several appointments with a dentist or prosthodontist. At the first appointment, Dr. Bates will take impressions of your mouth and measurements of your jaw. Dr. Bates will then create a model of your jaw using the images. This model establishes a wax dentures model. The wax model is tested in your mouth to ensure a comfortable and natural fit. The final dentures are created once the dentist has made the necessary adjustments to the wax model.

What to Expect When Getting Dentures

Getting dentures can be a process that takes several weeks or months.

1. Consultation: The initial consultation will involve thoroughly evaluating your teeth and gums to determine if dentures are a good option for you. 
2. Taking impressions: If we decide that dentures are a good option for you, Dr. Bates will take impressions of your mouth and measurements of your jaw for the dentures. 
3. Your new dentures: Once they are ready, we will fit the dentures in your mouth and adjust them for optimal comfort and function. It is normal to experience some discomfort or soreness in the first few weeks of wearing dentures as your mouth adjusts to them.

Caring For Your Dentures

Dentures require proper care to remain in good condition. They should be cleaned daily, just like natural teeth. First, one should always brush their dentures daily, specifically with a soft-bristled brush and denture cleaner to remove food particles and bacteria. It is important to clean dentures over a sink filled with water or a towel to prevent breakage in case the dentures get dropped. Dentures should also be stored in water when not worn to avoid them from drying out and losing shape.

The Benefits of Dentures

Although it can be pretty daunting to get dentures, they have many benefits. Dentures help to fix the frustrating aspect of missing teeth. Whether your missing teeth were caused by accident or by age, dentures are an excellent option to help improve the function and even the appearance of your smile.

• Confidence boost: Having missing teeth can cause many to feel self-conscious about their smile. Dentures can help improve your appearance and help you build up the confidence to show off your pearly whites! 
• Functionality: Missing teeth come with various issues, including difficulty in speaking and eating. Struggling to eat and talk is something people wish to avoid going through, and dentures help to relieve these struggles. Dentures provide a full set of teeth, allowing you to eat and speak clearly and easily.

Dentures in North Salt Lake, UT

Dentures are a standard dental option for replacing missing teeth. Understanding how they work and how to care for them can make the experience of getting dentures more manageable. If you are missing more than one tooth and are looking to restore your smile and bring back function to your smile and beauty, dentures may be the solution for you. 

Improve your smile time, and schedule a consultation with Dr. Bates today!