Prosthodontics
Immediate Dentures
Complete Dentures
Full dentures, or complete dentures, are a removable device that can be used to replace missing teeth. The denture teeth are made out of porcelain or acrylic and held together by an acrylic base. Full dentures may be needed when you lose all of your teeth and they can help fill out your appearance again, and leaving you feeling more confident to smile.
Upper dentures tend to cover the roof of your mouth, while the lower denture is U-shaped to ensure there is enough room for your tongue. Both upper and lower dentures rest on the gum tissue, and suction helps to keep them in place. Denture adhesive can also help secure your dentures and stop any food particles from causing discomfort, which can happen if they become trapped under the denture. It may take a little time to get used to your dentures, but by talking to Dr Fleitas or Dr Guerra , they’ll be able to advise on what to expect and help put your mind at ease.
Eating and speaking with your dentures may be a little difficult at first but rest assured, with a little practice, you’ll be back to your normal self in no time. To help keep your dentures in good shape, try and stick to a thorough daily cleaning regime. Removing them at night (unless told otherwise) will give your gums a rest and storing them safely when not in use will help to maintain their appearance. Full dentures can have a positive outcome on your life, bringing the smile back to your face and helping you get back to feeling like yourself.
Partial Dentures
Removable partial dentures usually consist of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-colored plastic bases. Depending on your needs, your dentist will design a partial denture for you. A partial denture may have a metal framework and clasps that connect to your teeth, or they can have other connectors that are more natural looking. In some cases, a removable partial denture is made to attach to your natural teeth with devices called precision attachments. Precision attachments are generally more esthetic than clasps.
Crowns on your natural teeth are sometimes needed to improve the fit of a removable partial denture and they are usually required with attachments. Consult with Dr Fleitas or Dr Guerra to find out which type is right for you.
Flexible Partial Dentures
Commonly called "Valplast" or flexible partial denture, which is a nylon thermoplastic material that has several advantages over the other two types of partial dentures ( cast metal or resin base ). The flexible partial dentures have no metal clasps and are very light weight. The material is translucent, so the patients own gums show through, giving a very natural appearance. Flexible partial dentures can be used to replace many or few missing teeth, and can even be modified to replace a missing tooth on only one side of the mouth, greatly enhancing its comfort. Flexis are an option for people who are allergic to the acrylic found in other types of partial dentures. Another great advantage is its resistance to breakage, as it is surprisingly strong relative to its size and weight. Consult Dr Fleitas or Dr Guerra to find out if flexible partial dentures are right for your needs.
Implant Supported Dentures
Advantages:
The overdenture attachments keep the denture from pressing down too hard on the gum line, allowing an overdenture patient to bite on harder foods without the typical discomfort a traditional denture wearer experiences when biting down hard. Most implant overdenture patients report significant improvement the level of comfort and function that an overdenture provides versus traditional dentures.
Disadvantages:
Implant-supported overdentures can be less than ideal for a patient depending on treatment objectives. When the denture is still removeable and it sits on the gum line, functionality is not what one would expect from dental implant treatment. Compared to a typical denture, overdenture function is an improvement, but significantly less than the functionality of one’s natural teeth. Research indicates that a denture wearer’s function is only at 20% of full function. Overdentures can improve that percentage to 40 to 50% of normal biting force, but this still is well below what many people would expect from permanent tooth replacement using dental implants.
Implant Fixed Dentures
An implant-supported fixed denture is a lifelike set of teeth — complete with prosthetic gum tissue — that stays in your mouth all the time. It is securely and comfortably anchored by several dental implants that become an integral part of your jawbone once inserted during a minor surgical procedure done in the dental office.
Implant-supported fixed dentures are ideal for people who have experienced deterioration of the gums and jawbone, which is an inevitable effect of tooth loss. Bone is a living tissue that needs constant stimulation to maintain its volume and density. That stimulation normally comes from the teeth; when they are lost, the bone that used to surround and support them starts to break down. If this is allowed to continue, your facial features may begin to sag — giving you a more aged appearance. Unfortunately, wearing removable dentures actually accelerates this process; but wearing fixed dentures halts it — while restoring the underlying support to your facial features (cheeks and lips) that your jawbone structure used to provide.
This will make you look younger. If you are thinking of an Implant Supported Fixed Denture make sure you schedule a consult with Dr Fleitas and Dr Guerra for a more information.
