Dentures, Bonita Springs

Millions of Americans are missing some or all their teeth and therefore require dentures. Pelican Landing Dental offers several different denture treatments. If you would like to learn more about the different types of dentures, read on below to learn more. If you have any specific questions, feel free to contact us any time!

When you think of dentures, it is likely that you are thinking of complete dentures. A complete denture is used for patients that have lost all their teeth in the upper and/or lower jaw. A complete denture is made of a gum-colored hard acrylic base holding either porcelain or acrylic teeth. The result often cannot be distinguished from naturally healthy teeth. Complete dentures are held in place largely by the tissues in the mouth. An upper denture is retained in part by a suction created with the soft tissues of the palate.

Partial dentures are used when there is just a small number of teeth missing. While variations exist, a partial denture is generally fabricated using a metal framework with a gum-colored acrylic base and prosthetic teeth. Partial dentures are held in place mostly by metal clasps that essentially hook onto existing teeth.

Often patients have teeth that are hopeless and therefore need to be removed and replaced with a denture. Many patients are unable to or unwilling to wait during a healing period after tooth removable and prior to denture delivery where they are missing all their teeth. In these situations, immediate dentures can be created. The fabrication of immediate dentures consists of removal of some of the teeth (often those in the back, preserving the visible teeth) followed by a period of healing. In the meantime, the dentures are fabricated. The custom dentures are then delivered on the same day the front teeth are removed. With this procedure, patients do not spend any period of time without visible teeth.

In some cases, dental implants can be used to assist in the retention of a denture. When an overdenture has been planned, several implants will be placed in the upper or lower jaw. After a period of healing and bone growth between the implants and the jaw, the underside of a denture is altered so that the denture can snap onto the implants. The result is a reduction of slipping, sliding, and dislodgment of the denture.

Hybrid dentures are an amazing treatment option. A hybrid denture is for the patient without any teeth in one or both of the arches that wants the most stable long-term solution. A hybrid denture has specific attachments designed to screw onto several dental implants.

Hybrid dentures correct many of the deficiencies of the other denture treatments. Because they are fixed, they do not slip, slide, rock, or dislodge. Patients who have obtained hybrid denture treatment report excellent levels of satisfaction.

There are several good reasons why dentures continue to be one of the most popular ways to replace missing teeth. These reliable restorations are easy to take care of and don’t involve a lengthy invasive treatment to get. Plus, with the help of today’s modern dental technology and high-quality materials, dentures are now more natural-looking, strong, and comfortable than ever before.