Dentures – Rocky Mount, NC
A Comfortable, Trusted Solution for Tooth Loss
The dentures of today are very, very different compared to the ones your parents or grandparents might have worn. Now, they are extremely natural-looking and can be designed to fit comfortably in the mouth while still offering premier stability. Whether you are missing most of your teeth or all of them, our team can help you get your bite and confidence back for a lifetime to come. To get started, contact us today to schedule a consultation to discuss smile restoration with dentures in Rocky Mount, NC.
Why Choose Drs. Belton & Schrimper, DDS PA for Dentures?
- 100% Custom-Made Dentures for Each Patient
- State-of-the-Art Dental Office
- Friendly Dental Team That Treats Patients Like Family
What are Dentures?
A denture is a form of restorative dentistry that is used to replace missing teeth in one or both jaws. In most cases, they’re made with an acrylic gum-colored base and a set of ceramic or acrylic false teeth.
Depending on your needs, you may be eligible for one of the three types of dentures:
Full Dentures
When you hear the word “denture,” it’s likely a full denture that you picture in your mind. These are used to bring back an entire row of teeth at once, and they stay in place by sitting directly on the gums, relying on the power of natural suction, denture adhesive, and the strength of the nearby cheek muscles.
Partial Dentures
You can think of a partial denture as the final puzzle piece that will complete your smile. The prosthetic can be shaped to fit between a patient’s remaining teeth, no matter their orientation, and is secured within the mouth using small metal clasps.
Implant Dentures
While an implant denture may look like a traditional removable one on top, the “magic” is actually hidden beneath the gum line. Instead of just sitting on the gums, implant dentures are directly anchored to the jawbone using a series of small titanium posts that act like new tooth roots. This gives the prosthetic a strength and stability that perfectly replicates real teeth.
Am I a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Most people who have lost several or all of their teeth would make great candidates for dentures. However, your gums and any remaining teeth must be infection-free before you can receive your new teeth. Ultimately, a consultation with one of our dentists is the only way to determine your eligibility for dentures.
How Dentures are Made
It’s only natural to want to learn as much about dentures as you can before deciding to proceed with this treatment. Many patients have questions about getting these replacement teeth, like what they’re made from and how they’re put together.
Our team in Rocky Mount wants you to have as much information as you need to feel confident moving forward with this treatment. With that in mind, continue reading to learn more about how these teeth are created so you can appreciate your new restoration that much more!
What are Dentures Made Of?
These restorations typically contain two main parts, which are outlined in more detail below:
- The base. This is the foundational structure that provides all the support needed to anchor your new teeth in place. It’s usually made from gum-colored materials, such as acrylic, nylon, or resin, that can be customized to resemble your connective tissues. Partial sets often also include metallic clasps that clip to healthy teeth in your mouth.
- The artificial teeth. The pontics, or artificial teeth, are usually made out of resilient ceramic or porcelain. These materials are designed to match the shape, color, and size of your natural enamel for beautiful results to boost your confidence.
The Denture Creation Process
Are you curious what the step-by-step process of building dentures looks like? It might vary slightly depending on your circumstances, but typically you can expect the following:
Step #1: Our team will make impressions of your upper and lower arches that will be used to ensure your prosthetics will fit correctly, and send them to a dental lab to begin working on your new teeth.
Step #2: The lab technician starts by forming a wax version of the gumline on the cast of your teeth.
Step #3: Artificial teeth are placed into the wax using a mechanical device called an articulator, and the lab tech carves the gums to resemble your natural tissues.
Step #4: The wax dentures are returned to our office for a fitting. We’ll schedule an appointment for you to try them on and note any changes that must be made before returning them to the lab to be finalized.
Step #5: At the lab, the wax version is placed in a flask. Plaster is added to maintain their shape, then the container is placed in boiling water to melt the wax away.
Step #6: A liquid separator is added to keep materials from sticking together, and then acrylic is injected into the flask to replace the wax portions.
Step #7: The plaster is carefully removed from the acrylic dentures using special laboratory instruments. Then, they are placed in an ultrasonic bath to ensure they’re thoroughly cleaned.
Step #8: Excess acrylic will be trimmed away, and your prosthetics will be polished to perfection before being delivered to our office.
Step #9: We’ll schedule you for a final fitting and discuss care and maintenance before sending you home with your beautifully rebuilt smile!
Adjusting to Your New Dentures
It might take up to a month or so for your tongue and the tender tissues in your mouth to acclimate to your restoration. It’s normal to feel sore, struggle to eat normally, or develop speech impediments, such as a lisp or slur, during this transitional period. Fortunately, they usually dissipate on their own with time and patience.
You can help reduce their impact by sticking to softer foods at first that are easier to eat, such as mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, applesauce, yogurt, or blended fruit smoothies. You might also practice reading out loud to yourself so you can rehearse challenging words or sounds until you feel more confident in your enunciation.
Benefits of Dentures
Tooth loss creates more than just aesthetic problems; it can cause new challenges that negatively impact your quality of life. Dentures are able to address those issues. Some of the benefits that dentures provide include:
- Each denture is made with natural-looking materials that replicate the pearly whites you were born with.
- A full set of teeth helps you chew a variety of healthy, crunchy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables.
- When your dentures are properly fitted, you shouldn’t have to worry about them slipping around while you’re talking or eating.
- Traditional full and partial dentures can last up to 7 years before they need a replacement. Implant-retained dentures can last even longer with proper maintenance.
Living with Dentures
Once we place your new teeth, we’ll provide you with specific instructions on how to care for them. Generally speaking, you’ll have to clean your dentures daily. You should also keep brushing your remaining teeth, gums, and tongue to minimize your risk of infection. Removable dentures should be soaked in water or denture cleanser at night, but make sure the water isn’t too hot, or else the dentures could lose their personalized shape.
To help you quickly get used to your dentures, wear them as much as possible. Practice reading aloud to get the hang of speaking with them in your mouth. Cutting your food into bite-sized chunks and chewing evenly with both sides of your mouth can help you grow accustomed to eating with them.