Dentures & Partials An Overview
A denture will replace a full arch of missing teeth and can be permanently secured using dental implants for the best possible result. Today’s cosmetic dentures offer patients the ability to restore a smile that is comfortable, natural looking and improves their overall quality of life. Dr. Cook works with patients who have lost teeth on an individual basis to help them choose the most suitable option for their oral health needs and aesthetic goals.
Implant Secured Dentures: What to Consider
Dental implants can be used to secure your smile, giving you back natural function without the worry of slippage or the need for daily adhesives. Implant dentures are available for a wider range of patients today due to the many advances in the type of implants and techniques for both treatment planning and placement.
Implant secured dentures offer patients the same benefits that dental implants offer for long-term oral health, including:
- Reducing bone loss in the jaw which can impact the shape of your jaw and the fit of your bite over time.
- Enables a healthy, varied diet with no restrictions due to normalized chewing function
- Supports normal speech, giving back your confidence in social and professional interactions.
Dentures & Partials What to Expect
The process for placing a new denture will vary depending on the type of denture, the need for tooth extractions or pre-treatment dental work and whether implants are being used to secure it. Dr. Cook will meet with you to discuss your needs and thoroughly evaluate the condition of your teeth, gums and bone structure. He may use digital diagnostics such as dental x-rays to help determine if you are a good candidate for implant dentures.
The first step is to take dental impressions if you have any existing natural teeth. These can be used to create an “immediate denture” that will closely resemble your natural tooth shape and smile. If teeth need to be extracted or the gums need periodontal therapy prior to placing a new denture, we will schedule your recommended treatments as part of your overall plan. Once all tissues have healed after extractions, new dental impressions will be taken for creating a denture that will fit comfortably on the gums.
If dental implants are being placed to secure the denture, Dr. Cook will coordinate the surgical implantation with a local oral surgeon and the final placement of your denture will be done in our Chapel Hill dental office.
Dr. Cook will color match your new denture and work with you to determine the right tooth shape and overall structure for a final fit that complements your overall appearance and feels as natural as possible.
Depending on the type of denture you are receiving, we will provide personalized instructions for daily care, oral hygiene and when to return for a checkup. Routine dental care is important for patients with dentures, providing the opportunity for our dental team to monitor the health of your gums, the stability of your denture and to look for any signs of excess wear or damage.
