Dentures

If you are missing an entire row of teeth (top or bottom) or just a few, dentures are an excellent choice for replacing those teeth. Dentures are removable for cleaning and custom-made to fit your mouth.

After receiving the completed dentures, Dr. Keyes makes adjustments to keep them from irritating or rubbing your mouth, making talking and eating normal again.

The cleaning process for dentures is relatively simple. Before bed, the dentures are brushed gently to remove plaque and food particles. They are then placed in water overnight to prevent drying out. Effervescent tablets are used occasionally to help with the cleaning process.

Removing the dentures before sleep allows the mouth to rest and allows for the natural cleansing of the tongue and saliva. In the morning, the teeth are gently brushed again and replaced into the mouth.

If you are only missing a few teeth, a partial set of dentures will fill in the gaps. The partial is made with the missing teeth placed onto a base with a metal framework. The framework is held into place between the remaining healthy teeth.

If you are missing a whole row of teeth, a complete set of dentures are needed. A complete set of dentures can be done for the top, bottom, or both rows. If there are remaining teeth, but those are damaged or diseased, they may need to be pulled and a complete set of dentures placed.

Three methods exist for obtaining dentures, depending on how the patient wants to make the transition to a full set of teeth.

The conventional method requires any healing from pulled teeth to be completed before the dentures are placed. Molds are made, and the dentures are sent to a lab to be manufactured specifically for you. If teeth pulled have been pulled, the dentures are placed when the gums are completely healed.

Some patients prefer the immediate method, as they do not want to be without teeth during the healing period. In this case, the dentures are made before any extractions are done. The dentures are placed immediately afterward. After the healing period, adjustments are made if the dentures are rubbing any particular part of the gums.

Overdentures require any remaining teeth to be prepared for the denture to be placed directly over them. Overdentures are an excellent replacement method if some teeth can be saved, and it provides less bone loss in the jaw, which prevents the muscles from sagging on the cheeks.