Are you missing most of your permanent teeth? Restore your smile with dentures. Dentures are dental restorations that can replace rows or arches of missing teeth. Dr. Christpher Banks works with oral surgeons and local laboratories to provide dentures and partials to patients in Washington, DC.
High-quality materials and proven treatment methods make modern dentures a natural choice. Dentures can restore the look and function of your teeth. Our office can also secure your denture with dental implants for the best results. Whether you need full or partial dentures, we ensure your final restoration looks and feels natural.
Dentures and Partials in Washington, DC
Knowing the different types of dentures can make it simpler for our patients to understand which treatment option suits their needs and goals. Partial dentures can renew rows or missing teeth in different areas of the mouth, while complete dentures replace the upper or lower arches of teeth.
Common types of partial or complete dentures can include:
Removable Partial Dentures
A removable partial denture is the most common kind of partial denture. It comprises a combination of replacement teeth on a rigid cast metal frame. Metal clasps attach the partial dentures to the existing teeth. This denture offers easy removal for cleaning while restoring both aesthetics and chewing ability.
Flexible Partial Dentures
These partial dentures are designed of a plastic that is heat-sensitive and thin. This can make them more comfortable to wear and create a more natural look.
Instead of cast metal clasps, a flexible partial denture has thin gum-colored clasps that fit around your teeth’s natural places. It might be a good solution if you find other types of partial dentures uncomfortable.
Removable Dentures
Traditional dentures are great options for patients with missing teeth. These dentures consist of false teeth on a gum-colored base. While removable dentures restore the smile’s appearance, they can slip because they lay on the gums and use adhesive to stay in place.
Patients with removable dentures can also have restrictions against hard or crunchy foods. They do not restore the bite’s full function.
Fixed Dentures Supported with Dental Implants
Implants are titanium posts that an oral surgeon places in the jaw bone. Once the implants fuse with the jaw bone, they offer a stable foundation for restorations like dentures. Dental implants encourage jaw bone growth and support the fixed denture.
A fixed denture supported by dental implants is also an excellent option for people who previously had a removable denture but want more support. Implant-supported dentures are easy to care for and permanently stay in the mouth.
What Are the Benefits of Implant Dentures?
Unlike removable dentures, implant-supported dentures stay in the mouth. They also help support the surrounding bone and gum tissues. For this reason, implant-supported dentures offer many benefits, including:
- Easier Biting and Chewing: Because removable dentures lay on the gums, they can make it hard to eat hard or crunchy foods. When you get traditional dentures, you may be restricted to eating softer foods. Implant dentures restore most of your natural bite function, so you can eat what you love with less restrictions.
- Prevent Facial Sagging: When you lose a tooth, you also begin to lose your natural jaw bone. Without support from the teeth, your lower face can begin to sag. If you get implants, we will graft healthy bone to support the implants. The implant posts will continue to support this bone and maintain your face shape.
- Natural-Looking Results: We work with a dental lab to create custom dentures. Based on our measurements and dental impressions, lab technicians will create your denture from tooth-colored materials. If you have remaining teeth, your denture will blend in with the natural tooth shade.
Getting Dentures in Washington, DC
Before we place dentures, we will take X-rays to get a clear view of your teeth, gums, and jaw. This helps us determine if you need pretreatments before you get your new teeth.
You must be in good oral health before treamtent to ensure your false teeth stay stable. We can provide fillings, root canal therapy, tooth extractions, and gum disease treatment as needed. If you get implants, you must have enough healthy jaw bone to support the implant posts. We can recommend bone grafting to build up healthy tissue and prepare for implant treatment.
Below, we will compare what happens during traditional denture treatment and treamtent with implant dentures:
Traditional Dentures
To begin traditional denture treatment, our dentist will take dental impressions. He sends these impressions and other specifications to a dental lab. The lab will make your custom denture according to your tooth shade, mouth measurements, and impressions.
In the meantime, you may wear a temporary denture. This ensures you are not without teeth. Once the final dentures are complete, you will return for a denture fitting.
Implant Dentures
If you get implant dentures, a surgeon will first place the implants in the jaw bone. You will need 3 to 6 months for the jaw bone to grow around the implant posts. This process is called osseontigration. Then, we will attach the abutments or connector pieces. These pieces connect the implants to the dentures.
You will need more time for your gums to heal. Finally, we will place the final dentures. We will make adjustments as needed so your new teeth feel comfortable.
While implants lengthen the treatment process, they ensure your dentures last longer. Becuase the implant posts use high-quality titanium, they will last forever.
How to Clean Dentures
If you have removable dentures, you must remove them for cleaning. First, rinse them under running water to remove any loose food particles. Then, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a mild denture cleaner to clean your denture. Remember to brush your gums and tongue to keep your mouth healthy.
We recommend that you remove traditional dentures at night. Wearing dentures at night can lead to sore gum tissue. At night, soak them in a denture-cleaning solution to prevent them from cracking or drying out.
If you have implant-supported dentures, your dentures are non-removable. You can brush and floss them like natural teeth.
However, pay special attention to cleaning around the implant abutments and attachments. Use a smaller, softer brush or an interdental brush to clean these areas thoroughly. Some patients benefit from cleaning dentures with water flossers.
Our office will provide instructions on how to clean your dentures, but we welcome you to ask questions. We can provide tips to keep your mouth and dentures clean every day.
Request a Dental Appointment
Are you missing most of your teeth? Do you want a lasting restoration? Contact our Dupont Circle area office for restorative care today at (202) 946-4720 or schedule a dental consultation online.
If you have more questions about dentures, let us know at your next visit to our Washington, DC office.