Dentures

Now Offering Dentures Special: 10% Off New Dentures!

Dentures From Elite Dental Spa 

older couple outside smiling, Great Neck, NY dentures dentist

Here at Elite Dental Spa we take care of all your denture needs from partial to full dentures or even a same-day denture repair! Having complete dentures help with chewing as well as support one’s facial structure and improve speech. With dentures, you can have a full set of teeth while you are waiting for your gums to heal and your bone to realign after having teeth removed. 

Sometimes, complete dentures are not necessary. Partial dentures can replace a string of missing teeth, and are secured to your remaining teeth with clasps. No matter which kind of dentures you need, you can be assured to receive natural-looking dentures that match your facial structure and desired tooth color.

Dentures in Great Neck, NY

Tooth loss can affect anyone at any time whether they are in their 30s or 80s. While losing teeth can be prevented in many cases, everything from high sugar diets to poor oral hygiene practices effectively guarantees that gum disease will strike a large number of Americans every year, many well before retirement age. 

But even for the conscientious who brush and floss daily and get yearly professional dental cleanings, unforeseen events like a car accident or sports injury can also result in a few missing teeth. The good news is that tooth replacement options have never been better. Dentures now offer a variety of modern and cosmetically attractive options for patients of all ages and stages of tooth loss.

Modern Denture Designs & Advantages

Gone are the days of artificial looking, ill-fitting dentures. There are now several sophisticated and natural looking options for people missing all, most, or just a few teeth. And while some people might associate dentures with older age, they are actually a practical and versatile option for restoring a damaged smile, no matter how old a patient is, or the cause of the tooth loss.

Additionally, dentures can also help to revive the appearance of the entire face, by filling out the sags and contours that develop along the jaw line when missing teeth are not replaced. In this regard, they can actually make a person appear younger, by mitigating one of the many side effects of tooth loss - sunken cheeks and skin laxity around the mouth.

Types of Dentures

hand holding set of dentures Great Neck, NY dentist

Conventional Full Dentures

After a period of time, permanent dentures that conform to your mouth with near-perfect accuracy can be fabricated. These are carefully crafted to look as much like your own natural teeth as possible, and are able to function properly in your mouth for a long time.

Implant-Supported Overdentures

To increase the stability of a lower or upper denture, it's possible for it to be securely anchored using two or more dental implants. The upper jaw requires more implants (generally three or more) than the lower jaw due to a lesser bone density. Many people find this option offers a great balance of comfort, functionality and value.

Transitional Partial Dentures

These relatively inexpensive removable plastic dentures serve as a temporary tooth replacement and space maintainer as you wait for your mouth to heal from tooth extraction, for example. Once the healing process is complete, dental implants can be placed.

Removable Partial Dentures (RPDs)

Usually made of cast vitallium, these well-constructed, metal-based removable partial dentures are much lighter and less obtrusive than those made of plastic. They are a little more expensive than plastic dentures but will fit better. They are, however, much less expensive than implants or fixed bridgework.

How Do Removable Dentures Work?

Full or partial dentures consist of a gum-colored base made of plastic resin, which fits over the remaining alveolar (bone) ridge that formerly held the teeth. The prosthetic teeth projecting from the base are designed to look and function just like your natural teeth. Dentures are held in place primarily by the suctioning effect of their close fit against the alveolar ridges — that's why it's so important that they are fitted properly. The upper denture also gets extra support from the large surface area of the roof of the mouth (palate), which generally makes it extremely stable.

At first, wearing dentures may require some getting used to in terms of talking and eating, as the dentures become “balanced” in the space formerly occupied by the teeth. But over time, the muscles, nerves and ligaments of the mouth learn to work in new ways, which allows these functions to occur normally. Dentures also help support the facial skeleton and the soft tissues of the lips and cheeks, which can help create a more youthful appearance.

How Dentures Are Made and Fitted

upper and lower full dentures Great Neck, NY dentist

The denture process takes approximately one month and five appointments. The initial diagnosis is made by your dentist in Great Neck, NY. An impression and a wax bite of your jaw are made to determine vertical dimensions and proper jaw position. It's crucial to balance your bite in order to enable normal speech and eating. The upper and lower dentures must come together and properly stabilize each other. The color or shade of your natural teeth will also be determined.

Next, the impression, bite and shade are given to the dental laboratory so a denture can be custom-made for your mouth. The dental lab makes a mold or model of your jaw, places the teeth in a wax base, and carves the wax to the exact form wanted in the finished denture. This wax "try-in" is then placed by your dentist to assure proper color, shape and fit. You and your dentist will determine if any adjustments need to be made before the final denture is completed. 

The denture is completed at the dental lab using the "lost wax" technique. A mold of the wax-up denture is made, the wax is removed and the remaining space is filled with pink plastic in dough form. The mold is heated to harden the plastic. The denture is then polished and ready for wear.


What to Expect After You Get Dentures

If you've recently lost your teeth and received an immediate denture, it's normal to find some tissue shrinkage and bone loss occurring. Therefore, in several months you may find that your immediate dentures no longer fit well. You will have two choices at this point: You can have your immediate (temporary) dentures re-lined. This means that material is added under the denture's base to better conform to the new contours of your alveolar ridge. A better option is to move to a set of conventional full dentures, which will last longer and fit better. With proper care, dentures offer a functional, aesthetic and economical solution to the problem of tooth loss.

Care of Your Denture

It's best to stand over a folded towel or a sink of water when handling your denture, just in case you accidentally drop it. Brush the denture (preferably with a denture brush) daily to remove food deposits and plaque, and keep it from becoming permanently stained. Avoid using a brush with hard bristles, which can damage the denture. Look for denture cleansers with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. Pay special attention to cleaning teeth that fit under the denture`s metal clasps. Plaque that becomes trapped under the clasps will increase the risk of tooth decay.

Hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid to clean dentures is also acceptable. Other types of household cleaners and many toothpastes are too abrasive and should not be used for cleaning dentures. A denture could lose its proper shape if it is not kept moist. At night, the denture should be placed in soaking solution or water. However, if the appliance has metal attachments, they could be tarnished if placed in soaking solution.

Even with full dentures, you still need to take good care of your mouth. Every morning, brush your gums, tongue and palate with a soft-bristled brush before you put in your dentures. This removes plaque and stimulates circulation in the mouth. Selecting a balanced diet for proper nutrition is also important for maintaining a healthy mouth.

Adjustments

older red haired woman in dentist chair examining teeth in mirror, dentures Great Neck, NY

Over time, adjusting the denture may be necessary. As you age, your mouth naturally changes, which can affect the fit of the denture. Your bone and gum ridges can recede or shrink, resulting in a loose-fitting denture. Loose dentures can cause various problems, including sores or infections. Dentures that do not fit properly can be adjusted. Avoid using a do-it-yourself kit to adjust your dentures, as this can damage the appliance beyond repair. Glues sold over the counter often contain harmful chemicals and should not be used on a denture.

If your denture no longer fits properly, if it breaks, cracks or chips, or if one of the teeth becomes loose, see your dentist immediately. In many cases, dentists can make necessary adjustments or repairs, often on the same day. Complicated repairs may require that the denture be sent to a special dental laboratory.

Over time, dentures will need to be relined, re-based, or re-made due to normal wear. To reline or re-base a denture, the dentist uses the existing denture teeth and refits the denture base or makes a new denture base. Dentures may need to be replaced if they become loose and the teeth show signs of significant wear.

Common Concerns With Dentures

Eating will take a little practice. Start with soft foods cut into small pieces. Chew slowly using both sides of your mouth at the same time to prevent the dentures from tipping. As you become accustomed to chewing, add other foods until you return to your normal diet.

Continue to chew food using both sides of the mouth at the same time. Be cautious with hot or hard foods and sharp-edged bones or shells. Some people worry about how dentures will affect their speech. Consider how your speech is affected when you have a number of your natural teeth missing.

Pronouncing certain words may require practice. Reading out loud and repeating troublesome words will help. If your dentures "click" while you`re talking, speak more slowly. You may find that your dentures occasionally slip when you laugh, cough or smile. Reposition the dentures by gently biting down and swallowing. If a speaking problem persists, consult your dentist.
 

Denture Adhesives

Denture adhesives can provide additional retention for well-fitting dentures. Denture adhesives are not the solution for old, ill-fitting dentures. A poorly fitting denture, which causes constant irritation over a long period, may contribute to the development of sores. These dentures may need a reline or need to be replaced. If your dentures begin to feel loose, or cause pronounced discomfort, consult with your Great Neck dentist immediately.


Dentures have come a long way in the 21st century. To learn more about what type of dentures are best for you, contact Elite Dental Spa in Great Neck, NY at (516) 829-2001 to schedule an appointment.

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