Dentures

If you’ve lost some or all of your natural teeth, dentures can restore your smile and improve your oral health. At SolidSMILES Dental in Lewisville, Texas, general dentist Hiral Patel, DDS, provides several types of dentures, including partial dentures, complete dentures, and implant-retained dentures. Call SolidSMILES Dental to schedule a denture consultation, or book your appointment online today. 

What are dentures?

Dentures are removable oral appliances that replace your permanent teeth. They’re made from sturdy materials such as acrylic, resin, and metal that can withstand the forces of biting and chewing. 

Dentures make it easier to speak and eat, but they can also improve your oral health. That’s because replacing your natural teeth with prosthetics reduces the risk of other oral health problems, including gum recession and bone loss.

Are there different types of dentures?

At SolidSMILES Dental, Dr. Patel provides several types of dentures, including:

Partial dentures

If you’re missing only a few teeth in your upper or lower jaw, Dr. Patel might recommend partial dentures. Partial dentures fill the gaps in your smile and are held in place with small metal clasps, providing additional stability.

Complete dentures

Complete dentures restore all of the teeth in the upper or lower part of your mouth. They rely on the roof of your mouth or lower jawbone for support. You apply a denture adhesive (glue) to the bottom of complete dentures to hold them in place and prevent them from moving around.

Implant-retained dentures

Implant-retained dentures attach to dental implants — small metal posts Dr. Patel inserts into your empty tooth sockets. Although similar to complete dentures, implant-retained dentures tend to be sturdier and more secure. The dental implants prevent them from shifting and make biting and chewing easier.

What does getting dentures involve?

Getting dentures at SolidSMILES Dental takes several appointments.

At your initial consultation, Dr. Patel completes an oral exam to determine how many teeth you’re missing. She also assesses the health and volume of your jaw bones and asks about your treatment goals. 

After gathering that information, Dr. Patel takes impressions of your upper and lower jaws. She sends your impressions to a dental lab that makes a model of your mouth. The dental lab uses the model to create a set of artificial teeth that fit perfectly. 

When your dentures are ready, you return to SolidSMILES Dental and try them on. Dr. Patel assesses their fit and makes necessary adjustments. Your dentures might feel uncomfortable or loose at first. This is perfectly normal. It takes time to adjust to them. Be patient and follow Dr. Patel’s instructions.

Call SolidSMILES Dental to schedule a denture consultation, or book your appointment online today.