Dentures and Denture Related Services in Manhattan

Dental Dentures Help Patients Feel and Look Better

As evidenced by all of the T.V. commercials for denture adhesives, many adults are missing teeth. Their lack of teeth ranges from several missing teeth to many or all of their natural teeth. In fact, at least 25% of the adult population in the United States is missing most of their back teeth. Periodontal disease, severe decay, injury and trauma are just some of the reasons people experience tooth loss. It is the resulting state of edentulism (partial or complete loss of their natural teeth) that prompts them to seek dentures (partial and complete) and denture related services.

Without proper dentures a person missing all or most of his or her teeth can be rendered a virtual dental cripple – unable to chew food properly and embarrassed to be in the public eye because of a severely compromised appearance.

Complete or Partial: Dental Dentures are Often the Best Solution

As a caring dentist, I want all my patients to be comfortable and satisfied with the way they look and feel. Often dentures are the best and most economical solution to replace missing teeth. Be it a complete denture that replaces all of your teeth in a particular jaw (upper or lower) or a partial denture which just replaces some teeth, dental dentures are among the most common tooth replacement services in dentistry.

Even if you have lost all your teeth you can once again have a pleasant appearance and function normally with the help of dental dentures. I dare say that most of my denture patients are happy to have been made whole again with a natural, often more youthful appearance and the ability to enjoy a high quality of life with few, if any, dietary restrictions.

The Process for Dentures and Dental Services

In most situations denture fabrication and treatment require several steps. First, I make special impressions or molds of your mouth and models of your jaw. It is from these models that a dental laboratory will ultimately make your dentures.

But before this can be done, two or three visits are spent taking special readings and measurements to ensure that your final denture fits properly, has the correct bite relationship, and supports your lips and face in an aesthetically pleasing manner. During these visits a trial denture or denture template is tried with replacement teeth set in wax to ensure your teeth, gums, smile and overall face are in balance.

Once this is accomplished and we (with your spouse or another loved one) are satisfied, your denture is returned to the lab for final processing.

The final step in the denture process is when I make any necessary refinements and ensure that you are satisfied, comfortable and educated as to proper denture care. Follow-up visits are scheduled to make any modifications or adjustments you may need.

If you have an old or ill-fitting denture that causes irritation to the supporting gums it might be necessary to refit it with a special reline material that helps your tissue heal. Once a healthy state has been achieved, a new denture can be made utilizing the steps that I have outlined above.

For my patients who need multiple teeth extracted in conjunction with denture care, I often fabricate what is referred to as an immediate denture. It is called an immediate denture because you receive it immediately following (and in the same visit) that your teeth are removed. This immediate denture requires ongoing adjustments, relines and modifications during the post extraction healing process and will be maintained until your tissues have healed.

When I am satisfied that healing is complete, I proceed with the making of your new permanent denture.

New dentures often feel awkward until you become accustomed to them. As such, I am happy to see you in the office as many times you need and make all necessary adjustments should you experience any irritation or soreness.

Living With and Caring for Your Dentures: Advice From a Dentures Dentist

It takes a little bit of practice to get used to eating and speaking with dentures. You will need to be careful when you eat very hard foods or food with bones or shells for a while. But before you know it you can return to your usual diet. If speaking issues persist I make adjustments that help you talk normally again.

Here are a few other best practices to care for your dentures:

Well-made dentures are strong enough to endure the rigors of mastication (chewing), but they can be fragile when they are not in your mouth. Always be very careful when removing them or placing them back into your mouth. While handling your dentures it is a good idea to stand over a towel, a bed, or even a sink of water – in case they slip out of your hands.

Brush your dentures every day just as you do your natural teeth (of course you want to remove them from your mouth while cleaning them to maximize the efficiency of your efforts). In addition, dentures tend to stain more easily than natural teeth and the stains are very difficult to remove. Use a soft brush specially designed for dentures or a soft regular toothbrush. I also recommend special denture cleansers that are tested and deemed safe and effective to remove food and stains.

Dentures can dry out and lose their shape if not stored properly, so when they are not in your mouth, keep them submerged in a denture solution or in water. Never place your dentures in extremely hot water as it may cause them to lose their shape or luster.

When not wearing your dentures, do not wrap them in tissues or paper towels. I have seen more than a few patients who have accidentally discarded their dentures this way. Always use the special denture case that we give you.

What To Do About Ill-Fitting Dentures

From the moment you lose your teeth your mouth will start to undergo continual and life-long changes. The bone and overlying gum tissue begins to resorb and shrink. This is especially true for denture wearers (full and partial dentures alike). Over time, dentures will loosen and lose their retention (suction). And while denture adhesive may offer some relief, ill-fitting dentures that move or slide are not only uncomfortable, but they actually cause more bone loss.

I use a process known as denture relining or rebasing that enables your dentures to be readapted to your mouth and attain a like new fit. Both denture relining and rebasing are economical alternatives to fabricating new dentures, assuming that the aesthetics and physical state of your existing denture is reasonable.

Because denture teeth and denture bases (the pink portion) experience wear over time, your dentures need to be periodically evaluated. Dentures are not meant to last forever and will need replacement from time to time depending on individual wear and tear and the physiological changes that occur in your mouth.

Implant Supported Dentures

Sometimes the remaining gum tissue and underlying bone upon which a denture rests is inadequate to comfortably and securely support a denture. The denture can move around while eating, speaking and swallowing. This can be a great source of physical and emotional distress. Fortunately, the advent of dental implants has provided a remedy for poor-fitting dentures. With as few as two strategically located dental implants your denture can be stabilized to provide increased chewing efficiency, improved comfort and greater security.

Dentures and Dental Services: My Experience Leads to Comfort and Confidence For You

My patients with dental dentures enjoy the security of knowing that they can eat, talk and be proud of their appearance in spite of having lost their teeth. My many years of experience with dentures and denture services provides you with comfortably fitting and natural looking dentures that will significantly improve the quality of your life.

To schedule your consultation call my Manhattan dental practice at 212-685-3040.