The most common type of restorative option for missing teeth is dentures. Dentures are an effective and conservative option for tooth replacement. At Olympia Prosthodontics & Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Robert Stover and can offer you full and partial dentures so that you can eat and smile again.
There are two major types of dentures.
Full Dentures
Full dentures are made for edentulous people. These dentures are designed to provide replacement teeth to your upper and/or lower arches. These dentures are made of flesh-colored plastic and are supported by your gums. These dentures consist of a device for the upper arch which is U-shaped and is anchored to the gums by the vacuum created by your mouth. The prosthetic for the lower arch is horse-shoe-shaped and is designed to accommodate the tongue. There are two main types of full dentures.
- Conventional Dentures: Conventional dentures are created a few months after your teeth have been extracted and your gums and jaw have had time to heal. We will then take an impression of your mouth and order your custom conventional dentures to be made exactly according to the dimensions of your mouth. This process can take a few weeks during which you will be without teeth.
- Immediate Dentures: If you don’t want to be without teeth while you are waiting for your conventional dentures to be fabricated, we recommend the use of immediate or same-day dentures. These dentures are placed on your gums immediately after tooth extraction and can help curb bleeding and swelling. However, since they are not custom-made, they are only used as a temporary measure for a few weeks. However, they can help you get accustomed to the feel of dentures in your mouth and can help you learn how to speak, eat, and smile with them.
With proper care, dentures can last you for five to seven years. After that, you may need to reline, rebase or replace them completely. At Olympia Prosthodontics & Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Robert Stover and can recommend both full and partial dentures for you or another prosthodontic treatment if you want more permanent prosthetics. Call us today at (360) 339-4944 to schedule an appointment with us.