Dentures – Annandale, VA

Effects of Missing Teeth

Tooth loss is an unfortunately common problem that is often caused by advanced tooth decay, severe gum disease, or facial injuries. Unaddressed tooth loss can lead to a host of oral, overall, and psychological health issues like facial sagging, speech difficulties, trouble eating, and diminished self-esteem. Dentures have allowed many patients with missing teeth to enjoy the benefits of a complete smile and improve the overall quality of their lives.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

Dentures can be an excellent solution for people who have lost many or all of their teeth or have severe dental sensitivity or extensive decay as long as they have sufficiently healthy jawbones and gum tissue. However, a denture patient must commit to excellent oral hygiene and a daily maintenance regimen. There are several types of dentures, and which one is right for you depends on the number of teeth you are missing. These appliances are generally more affordable than other tooth-replacement options, so they may be an especially excellent choice for patients on a budget.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

If you aren’t a suitable denture candidate, you can explore other restoration options such as dental bridges and implants. Here’s a brief overview of these alternative tooth-replacement methods:

Dental bridges are ideal for patients who are missing one or several teeth in a row. These appliances require healthy teeth on either side of the gap to be reshaped so they can host the dental crowns that support the appliance.

Dental implants are titanium posts surgically inserted into and naturally fused with the patient’s jawbone, creating a sturdy hold that can last a lifetime. This allows them to support a restoration such as a dental crown, bridge, or denture so it can provide superior chewing power.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

What are Dentures Made Of?

Whether you need a full or partial set, your restoration consists of two main sections: the base and the artificial teeth, or pontics. Further details about each component are outlined below:

• Denture base. This is the foundation that gives your dentures their shape and structure. It can be built from different materials like nylon, porcelain, resin, metal, or acrylic. The latter is the standard choice because it can be color-matched and carved to look just like your connective tissues. Partial sets usually also include metallic clips in the base to anchor them to healthy teeth in your mouth.
• These teeth are usually made from resilient resin or porcelain that reflects light like enamel, though porcelain is a popular option due to its durability. However, it can harm natural teeth, so it is best for patients needing a complete set of dentures.

The Denture Creation Process

Although it might vary slightly based on your unique circumstances, typically you can expect your prsothetics to be built with the following step-by-step process:

• Step 1: Salari will make impressions of your upper and lower arches to create a replica of your mouth, either manually or digitally, which will be sent to a special dental laboratory.
• Step 2: Once the lab receives your information, they begin building a wax version of your gumline.
• Step 3: Pontics are set into this max mold with a device called an articulator. Then, the base is shaped and carved to look as lifelike as possible.
• Step 4: These wax dentures are sent back to Dr. Salari so she can schedule you for a fitting. If everything checks out, they’ll be returned to the lab to be finalized.
• Step 5: Back at the lab, a technician places the wax model into a flask that’s filled with plaster to maintain its shape. This container is then placed in hot water to melt the wax portions away.
• Step 6: Acrylic must be injected into the flask to replace the wax, but first, holes are made in the pontics so the material will attach to them. Meanwhile, a liquid separator is included in the plaster layer to prevent the material from clinging to it.
• Step 7: The plaster is carefully chipped away using special instruments to reveal the completed dentures underneath. Then, they’re placed into an ultrasonic bath to remove any remaining residue.
• Step 8: Any excess acrylic is trimmed away, and your new teeth are polished to perfection.
• Step 9: Your restoration is delivered to Dr. Salari so she can schedule you for a final fitting to ensure your upgraded grin looks and functions as intended!

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

Now that your enhanced smile is in place, it’s natural to want to resume your usual activities. However, it often takes patients about a month to fully acclimate to wearing their dentures. It takes time for your connective tissues to adjust to supporting them all day, and your tongue and other supporting muscles must relearn how to perform basic tasks with them in place.

Sticking to soft foods for a few weeks and practicing speaking slowly at home can help ease your transition. You can also try denture creams or other adhesives that form a layer of cushion between your gums and your restoration to mitigate discomfort. This also helps them remain more firmly in your mouth so they don’t slip around during meals or conversations.