Partial and Complete
Dentures in Stafford, VA

Denture Services

Dentures are more than a silly prop used in movies and tv shows. They are a legitimate dental solution for people suffering from missing a few or all of their teeth. Dentures are custom made to replace a person’s missing teeth and restore their quality of life. Dentures can help people who have lost teeth reduce discomfort while speaking or eating and gain confidence to show off their smile again.

What are Dentures?

Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth and their surrounding tissue. They are custom made through jaw impressions and measurements to perfectly fit one’s mouth and give off as natural of an appearance as possible. There are two main types of dentures, partial and complete.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are used when only some of a person’s natural teeth are missing. They can be constructed on a plastic base or supported by metal framework. The partial denture is secured to crowns on the remaining natural teeth, with the artificial teeth filling in the gaps.

Complete Dentures

A complete denture is done when a patient has no remaining teeth to secure a partial to. These can be either conventional or immediate. Conventional dentures are made after the teeth have been removed from the mouth and the gum tissue is mostly healed. This typically takes 8-12 weeks, then the denture can be placed in the mouth.

Immediate dentures are formed before the removal of teeth, so they can be placed as soon as teeth are gone. This prevents the wearer from having to be without teeth for weeks before getting the dentures. As the gums heal they will most likely change size and shape, so immediate dentures have to be adjusted over time. Immediate dentures are often a temporary solution while conventional dentures are being made.

Denture Cleaning & Maintenance

Dentures require the same level, if not a higher level, of dental care and hygiene that natural teeth do. They should be removed at night and placed in a cleaning solution to allow the gums time to rest while the dentures are out.

Dentures should be brushed gently with a soft bristle toothbrush on a daily basis, and denture wearers should rinse their mouth every day without the dentures in. This reduces the risk of infection and cleans any plaque off of the gums.

Final Thoughts

As we mentioned, dentures are a wonderful solution for those missing many or all of their teeth. They can restore confidence and quality of life in a number of patients. If you’re in the Stafford, VA or Washington, DC area and believe dentures may be the right dental treatment for you, consult a dentist to see if they’re the right fit!