Chapel Hill Family and Cosmetic Dentistry offers many treatment options for replacing one or more missing teeth. These options include complete dentures, partial dentures, and implant dentures in Durham, NC. Conventional dentures are an affordable and effective solution for missing teeth that can restore beauty and function to the smile.
Thanks to advances in dental technology, dentures are durable appliances that look natural. With proper care and maintenance, they can last many years. However, because they are better for your oral health and offer a better quality of life, Dr. James Furgurson and Dr. Nathan White will suggest implant-supported dentures. This option is better for your health and is more like natural teeth. Our office also provides general dental services to new and existing patients in Durham, NC.
Types of Dentures in Durham, NC
Our office will recommend the right denture based on the number of missing teeth. The three main types of dentures include:
Full Dentures
Dentists will suggest complete dentures to patients with a whole arch of missing teeth. The base is made of pink acrylic to mimic the color of gingival tissue and fit comfortably over the gums.
The false teeth are attached to the base. Most patients must adjust them after the first few months of wearing them. Tooth loss causes your bone and gums to shrink somewhat, making your dentures not fit correctly. Because we anticipate this, we will monitor you closely for the first six months you wear them.
Partial Dentures
We recommend partials for patients who are missing one or more teeth but still have many healthy, viable teeth remaining. Basically, this restoration will fill in gaps in your smile. Partials use metal clasps that attach to your remaining teeth. This will hold it firmly in place. Partial dentures can be an alternative to fixed bridges.
Denture Implants
For a more permanent solution to missing teeth, Dr. Furgurson suggests denture implants over traditional dentures. For many patients, traditional removable dentures are uncomfortable and lower their quality of life. People who wear them must adhere to certain diet restrictions, which eliminate many healthy foods.
Some downsides of wearing dentures are that they can slip around in your mouth, making it hard to speak clearly and eat. Also, dentures don’t replace the teeth at the root.
With denture implants, your dentist will surgically place up to eight dental implants into the jaw bone and attach a custom denture to them. They are secure and eliminate the worry of the denture slipping around in the mouth, making it easier to eat and speak.
The Benefits of Implant Dentures
Dr. Furgurson and Dr. White recommend dentures that use the support of implants to their patients from Durham, NC. Dental implants provides patients with many benefits over other teeth replacement solutions.
The benefits of implant dentures include:
Natural Look
Implants have a high success rate and are the closest thing to natural teeth. We work with a dental lab to design dentures that match the measurements of your mouth. The false teeth are also color-matched to your desired tooth shade or any remaining natural teeth.
Jawbone Support
Implant dentures are better for oral health because the implant acts as a replacement tooth root, stimulating the jaw bone. When there is enough stimulation for the jaw bone, you have less chance of bone deterioration. After you lose permanent teeth, you no longer have tooth roots to support the jaw bone. Implant posts act as new tooth roots.
Stability
Implant dentures are a great choice because they don’t need messy denture adhesive to stay in place. Regular dentures can sometimes slip or move around in your mouth, which can be uncomfortable when you’re eating or talking. But with implant dentures, that’s not an issue.
They are securely fixed into your mouth, so they stay put. This means you can enjoy your meals and conversations without worrying about them shifting.
Treatment with Dentures in Durham, NC
Learn what you can expect if you get traditional dentures and implant dentures:
Traditional Dentures
First, our dentist will examine your mouth and take impressions of your gums. These impressions are used to create custom dentures that will fit comfortably and securely in your mouth. If you need a tooth extraction, we will ensure you’re ready for the next steps.
The next step is getting the dentures fitted. We will check the fit and make any adjustments needed to make sure the dentures feel comfortable. This may take a few visits.
Once your dentures are ready, you will wear them regularly. At first, they may feel awkward, but with time, your mouth will adjust. It may take some time to get used to speaking and eating with your dentures, but many people find that they quickly get the hang of it.
Over time, your dentures may need to be relined or replaced as your mouth changes. Regular dental visits will help keep your dentures in good condition and ensure they fit properly.
Implant Dentures
The first step is a consultation with Dr. Furgurson. During this visit, our dentist will examine your mouth and take X-rays to see if your jawbone is strong enough to support dental implants. If you are a good candidate, the treatment can move forward.
The next step is placing the implants. We place these small titanium posts into your jawbone, which act like the roots of natural teeth. Over the next few months, the implants will fuse with your bone in a process called osseointegration. This gives your implants a strong foundation.
Once the implants have healed and bonded with the bone, your dentist will attach small connectors called abutments to the tops of the implants. These abutments will hold your dentures in place.
Finally, custom dentures are made to fit securely over the implants. Unlike regular dentures, which can slip and move around, implant dentures are held firmly in place by the implants. This makes talking, chewing, and smiling easier without worrying about your dentures shifting.
In some cases, temporary dentures may be worn while the implants heal. Once the permanent dentures are ready, our dentist will make sure they fit properly and feel comfortable.
How to Care For Dentures
Good oral hygiene is essential to ensure your dentures last. While you must remove traditional dentures for cleaning, you can brush and floss implant dentures like your natural teeth.
You can brush your implant dentures twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Make sure to clean around the implants and along the gum line to remove food particles and plaque. Floss around the implants at least once a day to remove any trapped food or bacteria.
You can use regular floss, a water flosser, or special floss designed for implants. Interdental floss or water flossers can also help clean your restoration. Continue to schedule routine visits in our office so we can monitor your health and your new dentures.
Restore Your Missing Teeth
Contact our office to learn more about which type of denture is right for you. We provide many types of tooth replacements to accommodate all our patients.
Get custom, lasting dentures in Durham, NC. Call us at 919.736.6175 or schedule an appointment online. Please let us know if you have lost teeth and are interested in dentures.