Dentures & Partials An Overview
Missing teeth can have a detrimental effect on both dental health and daily quality of life. Replacing lost teeth as quickly as possible is important to avoid additional, more complex problems from developing that may limit the choices for tooth replacement.
Atlanta area dentist Dr. Brenda Paulen offers several options for replacing missing teeth, including dentures and partial dentures.
Cosmetic Dentures Sandy Springs
Often called cosmetic dentures, today’s dentures offer a more natural-looking smile and a more comfortable fit. Improvements in materials and treatment planning technology enable restorative dentists like Dr. Paulen to help patients with missing teeth regain their smiles with dentures that are esthetically pleasing and stable.
Dr. Paulen can replace a poorly fitting denture with a cosmetic denture that can give you back a comfortable and functional smile and restore your quality of life. Signs you may need to replace a denture can include:
- Slipping denture
- Denture appears worn or is damaged- teeth may not show when smiling
- Necessary diet changes to accommodate chewing problems
- Changes in clarity of speech
Patient Testimonial: Dentures
Dentures & Partials What to Expect
Dr. Paulen offers several types of dentures and will help you select the best one based on your needs, goals, and budget. The dentures that we offer in our Sandy Springs, GA dental office are called cosmetic dentures because they are highly aesthetic and look and feel just like natural teeth.
The dentures that Dr. Paulen offers are designed to fit stably and comfortably in your mouth. There are basically two types of dentures: Full Dentures and Partial Dentures.
Full dentures replace all of a person’s upper or lower teeth.
A partial denture replaces several missing teeth, similar to a dental bridge. A denture can either be removable or fixed. Fixed dentures are anchored by dental implants and are often called implant dentures.
IMPLANT-SUPPORTED DENTURES
Implant-supported dentures, simply known as implant dentures, have an extremely high success rate and level of patient satisfaction. While there is a greater investment for implant dentures, they do provide superior long-term benefits over removable dentures.
- Secure fit, no worries about dentures falling out when you eat or speak
- Improved bone retention, implants help to prevent bone loss
- Ability to eat foods without restrictions
- No adhesives necessary
ABOUT THE DENTURE IMPLANTS PROCEDURE
The procedure for denture implants is the same as the procedure for having a single dental implant. Rather than having one dental implant placed, however, the dentist will strategically place several dental implants to anchor the denture or partial denture. This procedure is often called same-day dentures or one-day dentures.
In most cases, the denture will be secured to the implants on this same visit. This will aid in the healing process, as well as offer cosmetic and functional benefits. During the healing process, you will be asked to follow a soft diet. Some patients may have a temporary denture placed, with the permanent restoration being secured once the dental implants have fully integrated into the bone.