Dentures Fulshear
Rebuild a Beautiful Smile
For many years, dentures have remained one of the most popular solutions for missing teeth. Indeed, they offer many benefits that make them an excellent treatment option! In our Fulshear dental practice, Dr. Z and our team are proud to design top-quality prosthetics to help you rebuild a beautiful smile. Continue reading below to learn more about dentures, or give us a call to request a tooth replacement consultation.
Why Choose Villagio Family & Cosmetic Dental for Dentures?
- Experienced & Skilled Dental Team
- Multiple Types of Dentures Available
- Beautiful & Functional Results
Who's a Good Candidate for Dentures?
If you think that you’d benefit from dentures, then take the next step: schedule a consultation with Dr. Adriana Zaharie! If you’re interested in learning more about the qualities we look for in a good candidate, but you’re not quite ready to schedule a visit, that’s okay – this next section is for you. In it, you’ll find information on everything from the negative effects of missing teeth to the tooth-replacement solutions we offer at our Fulshear office.
Effects of Missing Teeth
One common misconception about tooth loss is that the negative effects begin and end with low self-esteem. That’s not the case! In fact, even a few small gaps in your smile can make it difficult to maintain the alignment of your bite, eat a healthy, well-balanced diet, keep your gums and any natural teeth you have healthy, and enunciate clearly. For all of those reasons, we recommend exploring your treatment options sooner rather than later.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
When you visit us for your consultation, we will learn about the state of your oral health and ask you about your goals for treatment. Based on what we learn, we can determine whether dentures are a good fit for you. Generally speaking, people who are candidates for dentures:
- Are struggling with moderate to severe tooth loss
- Have healthy gums
- Are looking for a cost-effective but reliable way to replace missing teeth
- Have a jawbone that is able to support a prosthetic
- Are willing to break any existing bad habits, like smoking
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
Dentures have been a tried-and-true tooth-replacement solution for decades, but they are by no means the only ones. We’re proud to offer two additional solutions to our patients who are ready to rebuild the look and health of their smile:
- Dental bridges – If you are only missing one tooth, then partial dentures are not ideal. Instead, we can fill the gap in your smile with a dental bridge, which is held in place with two custom dental crowns. This type of restoration is also a great option for patients who are missing up to four teeth in a row. Again, it will be secured in place with two crowns, and the replacement teeth will be custom-made to ensure they look as great as they feel.
- Dental implants – Many patients want a solution that’s more stable. Cue dental implants! With this state-of-the-art tooth-replacement option, we can secure a dental crown, a dental bridge, or a denture in place with dental implants, which are surgically inserted directly into your jawbone. Not only does this lead to unmatched durability, but it also restores some of the strength of your bite that you lost. Plus, with proper care, they can last for 30+ years!
Types of Dentures
There are a few different types of dentures, each of which comes with its own set of pros and cons. During your consultation, we will recommend the type of prosthetic that best fits your situation. For example, we might suggest that a partial denture, full denture, or implant denture would suit your needs.
Partial Dentures
As its name suggests, a partial denture does not replace a full arch of missing teeth. Rather, it fits in around the remaining natural teeth. Small acrylic or metal clasps help a partial denture to remain in place during eating and speaking. A partial denture can be a great option for people whose natural teeth are still relatively healthy.
Full Dentures
A full denture replaces all of the upper or lower teeth. These prosthetics are held in place by natural suction, though in some cases, a bit of adhesive may be necessary. Because they are carefully customized, they can provide a comfortable fit and reliable function that lasts for several years.
Implant Dentures
Dental implants are small prosthetic tooth roots, which get surgically placed beneath the gumline. They can be used to anchor dentures in place, making sure that they stay where they belong during eating and speaking. Implant dentures tend to be much stronger and last longer than non-implant forms of tooth replacement, so we often recommend them for patients whose circumstances make them a good candidate.
The Benefits of Dentures
Dentures offer several noteworthy benefits:
- Because they are carefully customized, you can expect your dentures to fit comfortably and function well.
- We design dentures so their color, size, and shape are incredibly similar to natural teeth.
- Dentures can prevent your cheeks from looking hollow, allowing you to have a more youthful appearance.
- Dentures are one of the most cost-effective ways to address extensive tooth loss.
- With proper care, traditional dentures often last for 5 – 7 years or so.
Denture FAQs
How Long Will You Have to Wait to Get Dentures After Your Teeth are Pulled?
On average, tooth extraction recovery takes about six to eight weeks. However, everyone’s body heals a bit differently, and the type of dentures you’re getting will also influence this timeline.
For example, if you’re getting implant dentures in Fulshear, you’ll have to wait closer to four to six months after tooth extraction, because it’s essential to make sure your implants are completely fused with your jawbone before finishing your restoration. Once we finalize the details of your treatment plan, we’ll be able to give you a more specific estimate for your recovery time.
What Should You Do if Your Dentures Break?
Don’t try to fix your dentures yourself – oftentimes, this makes the issues worse. Instead, call our office right away. After you describe the extent of the damage, we’ll let you know whether it’s safe to continue wearing them while you wait for your appointment. If your dentures are unsuitable for wear, we’ll get you in as soon as possible so we can restore your oral function and dental aesthetics promptly.
Depending on the damage, we may be able to quickly repair your dentures during the same office visit. Otherwise, we may have to reline or replace your prosthetic altogether.
Are Denture Adhesives Safe?
Yes, but it’s important to note that overusing denture adhesives can lead to some serious side effects. Since many of these products contain zinc, applying the adhesive more frequently than recommended can cause zinc overdose, potentially resulting in nerve damage, stomach issues, and other concerning health problems. Take care to read the product label thoroughly, and don’t hesitate to contact our office if the instructions are unclear or confusing.
Moreover, if you find yourself using more and more denture adhesive, there’s a good chance your prosthetic needs to be relined. When dentures don’t fit as well as they used to, they can become loose and slip out of place more often.
Can I Sleep with My Dentures?
We’ll likely instruct you to sleep with your dentures during your first 24 hours of wear. However, after that, it’s essential to remove them at night!
It’s difficult for your gums to circulate and receive essential nutrients while they’re supporting your prosthetic, so taking your dentures out before bed is a convenient way to give them a break. Many patients like to soak their dentures in a special cleaning solution during this time, as the solution ensures thorough sanitization and makes cleaning easier in the morning.