Dentures
As we age, our teeth age along with us. The hope is that high-quality dental maintenance and care, like that provided by Dr. Cara McCallum at Canyon View Dentistry, will allow your natural teeth to last a lifetime. But it’s also relatively routine for people to have lost one or more teeth to any number of problems. When this happens, your dentist in Ken Caryl can provide you with several removable dental restorations, including full and partial dentures.
How Common Are Dentures?
According to statistics gathered from U.S. Census data and the Simmons National Consumer Survey, over forty million Americans wear either full or partial dentures. This may sound minimal in a country of nearly 330 million, but when sorted by age, the significance is apparent. For people aged 55 to 64 years, just over half wear dentures. And when considering those over 65, the figure jumps to nearly 60%. Clearly, denture use is common.
The good news is that this pervasiveness has led dental technology to multiple recent breakthroughs in denture design, materials, and construction. As a result, Dr. McCallum and her team of professionals can assess your missing teeth conditions and recommend the ideal denture to restore your smile.
A Variety of Dentures for Various Needs
Dentures come in numerous types depending on the wearer’s preferences and needs. The primary division is between full and partial dentures, though removability is another consideration, especially where the newer types of implant-retained dentures are concerned.
Full Dentures:
This type, also known as conventional dentures, is designed to replace all teeth on one arch of your mouth. They are what most people picture when they think of dentures: a complete set of false teeth attached to an acrylic, gum-colored base that adheres to the inside of your mouth. You generally remove them for cleaning and while you sleep.
If you need several teeth extracted to make way for a new denture, the healing process may delay your use of permanent dentures. In this case, Dr. McCallum will measure your mouth and create an immediate complete denture that you will use right away after removing any remaining teeth.
Partial Denture:
A partial denture replaces one or several missing teeth where the adjoining natural teeth are intact enough to support the restoration. It consists of a metal framework with clips that attach to your teeth. That framework is the foundation for dental crowns, which look like the teeth they replace. Partial dentures are also removable.
Implant-retained Denture:
Patients who wish for a more stable foundation for their dentures should consider an implant-supported denture. A dental implant is surgically placed in your jawbone and allowed to undergo a healing process that fuses the implant to the bone.
Then, Dr. McCallum will design either a full or partial denture that attaches to a specialized base on the implant. This type of denture is usually non-removable and feels as stable as your natural teeth.
Caring for Your Dentures
Your daily care regimen for your dentures will vary depending on their removability. For implant-retained dentures, you will treat them just like your natural teeth. However, for best results, you will brush them twice a day and see Dr. McCallum twice each year for routine exams and cleanings.
For removable full and partial dentures, you will take them out to care for them. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Conventional dentures are fragile, so handle them over a folded towel in case you drop them.
- Immediately after removing them, place your denture in a glass of warm water or denture cleaning solution. Don’t allow your denture to dry out, and never clean or soak in hot water as it could warp.
- Each day, use a non-abrasive brush to remove food debris and stains. Ensure you clean them thoroughly as food stuck in hard-to-reach places can decay and cause bad breath and other issues.
- Before you re-insert your dentures, brush your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth to stimulate circulation and maintain your periodontal health.
Over time, conventional dentures will need to be adjusted because your mouth changes over time which can cause them to fit poorly. Your dentist can adjust your denture to account for these changes and reduce discomfort and irritation.
Full and Partial Dentures in Ken Caryl, CO
The team at Canyon View Dentistry is dedicated to providing you with the best treatments to replace all or only a few of your missing teeth. Call our office and schedule an appointment to learn more about which denture options could be best for you. We look forward to serving your denture needs for years to come.
Cara McCallum
Dentist
Dr. Cara McCallum leads the team at Canyon View Dentistry, practicing enthusiastically and with a commitment to creating and maintaining beautiful smiles. She attended Marquette University and earned a BS in Biological Sciences. Emerging from her undergraduate career with an interest in dentistry, Dr. McCallum finished her DDS work at Baylor College of Dentistry.
What she values about being a dentist is how rewarding it is to make substantial, personal connections with her patients to help them achieve a smile they are proud to show off.
Dr. McCallum lives in Littleton with …
“5 STAR EXPERIENCE! I don’t know about you but I dread going to the dentist. I had two teeth that needed fixing but I have been dragging myself because I can’t deal with waiting for crown for at least a week. So today I went to my appointment to this new dentist and IT FELT LIKE I AM AT THE SPA! They had a blanket to cover my feet, a warm wet towel for my chest, back message from the chair, and netflix. The people are super nice and friendly – it start from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave. I could stay there forever! They have super nice office you will really feel you are at the spa! I can’t wait be back to this SPA – yes it is a SPA to me for my next appointment for my crown. I did not have fear I usually get of seeing the dentist.” -Tisi