Today, patients have more tooth replacement options than ever. As prosthodontic specialists in Charleston, WV, Dr. Boustany and the dental care team at Revive Dental and Implant Center offer both modern and traditional solutions for missing teeth in our Charleston dental office.
One of our most common and traditional options is a removable denture. We offer partial and full removable dentures, depending on your need for one or two arches of tooth replacement.
Same day implants and dentures are made in our office and fitted for your mouth in one visit with Dr. Boustany. With our in-house laboratory we can make your new prosthetic teeth in one day. That means no waiting period, you get to walk out in one day with your new smile.
Full Dentures
A full denture replaces all the teeth in the upper or lower arch. Our full dentures help you smile with confidence by replicating the natural look and function of your teeth. There are two types of full dentures: conventional and immediate.
A conventional denture is a full arch of prosthetic teeth set in an acrylic base. A conventional denture is made after the healing process is complete, after the extraction of any remaining teeth. An immediate denture is made in advance and placed the same day as your extractions. When choosing an immediate denture, you don’t have to go without teeth during the healing process.
Please note that an immediate denture is considered a temporary solution. For a better long-term result, we recommend a conventional denture once the gum tissues have fully healed.
Partial Dentures
We often recommend a partial denture as the least invasive and most cost-effective solution for several consecutive or a full arch of missing teeth. A partial denture is prosthetic teeth attached to a pink or flesh-colored plastic base. The base, especially for the upper arch, looks like a conventional retainer.
Most partials have metal clasps that hold the restoration to the surrounding teeth. Our partials are designed to look like your natural teeth for both function and esthetics. If you are concerned with esthetics, we may recommend precision attachments which eliminate the metal clasps. A traditional bridge may also be an option.
Dentures: About the Process
As with any restoration, the denture process starts with a consultation. We can begin treatment planning once you and Dr. Boustany agree that a removable denture is right for you. Denture treatment takes a few weeks and several appointments. We start the treatment with a series of impressions.
These impressions will be used to make a model of your mouth so we can determine the exact shape and position of your denture. We may go through several models before we are satisfied with the look, shape, color and fit of your new denture.
Once we have designed the ideal denture, we will start the fabrication process and cast the final product. At the next appointment we will place your new denture. In some cases, we may need to make some last minute adjustments to get a perfect fit.
Caring for Your Removable Denture
Caring for a removable denture is a little different than a fixed appliance. There is usually an adjustment period as you get used to eating, speaking and smiling with your new teeth. It’s common to have some minor irritation or soreness for the first few weeks. That should subside over time.
Remove and rinse your denture after a meal. Also keep your denture moist at all times. If your appliance dries out, it may warp or become brittle. We recommend keeping your denture in water or a mild soaking solution overnight.
After placing your new denture or partial, Dr. Boustany will give you detailed care instructions before you leave our office. Our dental care team offers personalized dental care and is available for questions or concerns after your treatment.